I have a lot of criticism for the series, too, but I really liked the beginning. Don't get me started on Misa...
What's sad is that annoying as she is, I like Misa more than just about any other main character, because she's about the only one who is consistent.
She could have been really cool, though. They were setting her up to be awesome at first -- a third force to be reckoned with -- but she turned out to be quite pathetic. I guess they decided that would've made things too complicated.
