[Comic Excerpt] Do Elseworlds always get darker without the JSA? (JSA #14)

Currently reading through JSA (2007-2011) and came across this panel. This, plus some spoilers from a book released today, made me wonder about how often not having the JSA is used to explain an alternate universe (or even the mainline DC universe) becoming bleaker in tone. Hell if I recall correctly Doomsday Clock even addressed this by having the catalyst for the darker New 52 be Alan Scott never reaching the lantern and the JSA not forming.

Besides these examples are there any others you all can think of? And how do you feel about them being used in such a way?