What is the difference between regular storyline and shock value
Shock is done for quick “OMG” moments but rarely has actual ramifications or any impact on the story and it’s characters. It’s not the dying itself but the impact it has on those after the death and how it changes other characters in meaningful ways.
Give an example, the violence and gore in Invincible is probably around the same level but the gore and deaths have a long-lasting impacts on the characters.
Ultimatum was just a chore to re-read but I really loved it when I was younger. I thought it was super mature because people died and it was realistic but meh...