Ask this question to Mark Waid some time, and see what happens.
Yes, there was definitely a vocal level of dissatisfaction from the existing DC fan base when the aftermath of CRISIS changed everything. The difference, i think, is that at the time DC was trying mightily to capture the Marvel audience of the period, and on that level they were largely successful. And over time, even the fans who’d been upset gradually came to accept the new status quo, especially once they’d worked a bunch of the bugs out.
But no, the post-CRISIS status quo was no better beloved by the hardcore DC audience than the New 52 is today.
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