DC Animated Universe

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DC Animated Universe
DC Comics logo.svg
Created by
Original work Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995)
Owner Warner Bros. Entertainment
Years1991, 1992–2006, 2014, 2017, 2019
Based on Characters
by DC Comics
Print publications
Comics List of comics
Films and television
Film(s) List of films
Short film(s) List of short films
Television series List of television series
Games
Video game(s) List of video games

The DC Animated Universe (DCAU, also referred to as the Timmverse or Diniverse by fans) was a shared fictional universe based on DC Comics properties and media franchise produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It began with Batman: The Animated Series in 1992 and ended with Justice League vs. the Fatal Five in 2019. The associated media franchise includes theatrical and direct-to-video feature films, shorts, comic books, video games, and other multimedia adaptations.

Contents

The DC Animated Universe has been praised for its storytelling, voice acting, animation, and maturity, with several of its shows listed among the greatest animated television series of all time. [1] [2] It has also influenced the mainstream DC Comics in various ways, such as introducing new characters, revamped backstories, and character designs. [3]

List of DC Animated Universe media

While there are many animated projects based upon DC Comics characters, the DC Animated Universe consists of TV series and films that spin off from Batman: The Animated Series. While the series is largely standalone, two characters outside of the normal Batman canon, Zatanna and Jonah Hex, would guest star. However, the first series to indicate a shared continuity with other well-known characters was Superman: The Animated Series , in which the title character encounters heroes such as Batman, the Wally West version of Flash, the Green Lantern Kyle Rayner, Aquaman, and Doctor Fate. The follow-up sequel to Batman: The Animated Series, titled The New Batman Adventures would feature an art style revamp similar to Superman: The Animated Series, and these two shows would feature crossovers. Both of those shows would be followed by Batman Beyond , which featured an elderly, retired Bruce Wayne passing on the mantle to Terry McGinnis, the Batman of the future.

After Batman Beyond's third season, the Justice League show followed, which starred Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash (Wally West), Green Lantern (John Stewart), Martian Manhunter (J'onn J'onzz), and Hawkgirl. After two seasons, the series was rebranded as Justice League Unlimited , a successor series which expanded the League roster and was the final series set in the DC Animated Universe. In between these shows was also Static Shock , which told the story of Virgil Hawkins and showcased a different aspect of the DC Animated Universe. It was the first time an African American superhero was the titular character of his own animated show, and the show explored many diverse stories and characters throughout its run. Another show that aired was The Zeta Project , which was a spin-off series based on the character Zeta from the Batman Beyond episode of the same name, an android who is on the run from NSA agents. The Zeta Project is largely unconnected to the larger DC Animated Universe, with Zeta appearing in one episode of Batman Beyond following his introduction and Batman appearing in one episode of The Zeta Project.

Television series

The DC Animated Universe consists of the following animated television series:

SeriesSeasonEpisodesOriginally released Showrunner(s)Connections
First releasedLast releasedNetwork
Batman: The Animated Series 1 65September 5, 1992 (1992-09-05)September 17, 1993 (1993-09-17) Fox Kids Bruce Timm
2 20May 2, 1994 (1994-05-02)September 15, 1995 (1995-09-15)
Superman: The Animated Series 1 13September 6, 1996 (1996-09-06)February 15, 1997 (1997-02-15) The WB
  • Crossovers with The New Batman Adventures: "World's Finest", "Knight Time", and "The Demon Reborn"
  • Introductions: Lobo ("The Main Man"), Wally West ("Speed Demons"), Doctor Fate ("The Hand of Fate"), Steel ("Heavy Metal"), Green Lantern Corps ("In Brightest Day..."), and Aquaman ("A Fish Story")
2 28September 8, 1997 (1997-09-08)May 2, 1998 (1998-05-02)
3 13September 19, 1998 (1998-09-19)February 12, 2000 (2000-02-12)
The New Batman Adventures 1 24September 13, 1997 (1997-09-13)January 16, 1999 (1999-01-16)
Batman Beyond 1 13January 10, 1999 (1999-01-10)May 22, 1999 (1999-05-22)
  • Crossovers with The Zeta Project: "Countdown"
  • Introductions: Infiltration Unit Zeta ("Zeta") and Justice League Unlimited ("The Call")
2 26September 17, 1999 (1999-09-17)May 27, 2000 (2000-05-27)
3 13August 19, 2000 (2000-08-19)December 18, 2001 (2001-12-18)
Static Shock 1 13September 23, 2000 (2000-09-23)May 12, 2001 (2001-05-12) Dwayne McDuffie
  • Integrated into the DCAU from Season 2 onwards
  • Crossovers with The New Batman Adventures: "The Big Leagues", "Hard as Nails"; Justice League: "A League of Their Own", "Fallen Hero"; Superman: The Animated Series: "Toys in the Hood"; The New Batman Adventures and Batman Beyond: "Future Shock"
2 11January 26, 2002 (2002-01-26)May 4, 2002 (2002-05-04)
3 15January 25, 2003 (2003-01-25)June 21, 2003 (2003-06-21)
4 13January 17, 2004 (2004-01-17)May 22, 2004 (2004-05-22)
The Zeta Project 1 12January 27, 2001 (2001-01-27)August 11, 2001 (2001-08-11)Robert Goodman
  • Crossovers with Batman Beyond: "Shadows" and "Ro's Gift"
2 14March 23, 2002 (2002-03-23)August 17, 2002 (2002-08-17)
Justice League 1 26November 17, 2001 (2001-11-17)November 9, 2002 (2002-11-09) Cartoon Network Bruce Timm
2 26July 5, 2003 (2003-07-05)May 29, 2004 (2004-05-29)
Justice League Unlimited 1 13July 31, 2004 (2004-07-31)January 29, 2005 (2005-01-29)
  • Crossovers with Static Shock and Batman Beyond: "The Once and Future Thing"; Batman Beyond: "Epilogue"
2 13February 5, 2005 (2005-02-05)July 23, 2005 (2005-07-23)
3 13September 17, 2005 (2005-09-17)May 13, 2006 (2006-05-13)

Feature films

The DCAU continuity also includes the following feature films:

FilmU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwritersReleaseNotes
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm December 25, 1993 Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm Story by: Alan Burnett
Screenplay by: Alan Burnett, Paul Dini, Martin Pasko
and Michael Reaves
Theatrical [4] [5]
Continuation of Batman: TAS
Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero March 17, 1998 Boyd Kirkland Boyd Kirkland and Randy RogelDirect-to-DVD
Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker December 12, 2000 (edited version)
April 23, 2002 (uncut version)
Curt GedaStory by: Paul Dini, Glen Murakami and Bruce Timm
Screenplay by: Paul Dini
Continuation of Batman Beyond , Batman: TAS, and The New Batman Adventures
Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman October 21, 2003Story by: Alan Burnett
Screenplay by: Michael Reaves
Continuation of Batman: TAS and The New Batman Adventures
Batman and Harley Quinn [6] [7] August 14, 2017 Sam Liu Story by: Bruce Timm
Screenplay by: Bruce Timm and Jim Krieg
Justice League vs. the Fatal Five [8] March 29, 2019 (WonderCon Anaheim)
March 30, 2019
Story by: Eric Carrasco
Screenplay by: Eric Carrasco, Jim Krieg and Alan Burnett
Digital HD, DVD and Blu-rayContinuation of Justice League Unlimited

Short films

FilmU.S. release dateDirectorScreenwritersNotes
The Dark Knight's First Night1991 Bruce Timm & Eric Radomski Story by: Bruce Timm
Teleplay by: Eric Radomski
A short film which acted as the developmental pilot for Batman: TAS .
Justice League: The First Mission2000James TuckerStory by: Bruce TimmA short film which acted as the developmental pilot for Justice League .
Chase Me October 21, 2003Curt Geda Paul Dini and Alan Burnett A short film with no dialogue based on The New Batman Adventures .
Batman BeyondApril 20, 2014 [9] Darwyn Cooke [10] [11] A short film based on Batman Beyond created by Darwyn Cooke for Batman's 75th anniversary. The short features the original voice cast of the show, as well as cameos of robotic batmen from The New Batman Adventures, The Batman , Batman: The Brave and the Bold , Beware the Batman , The Dark Knight Returns , Michael Keaton's Batman, Adam West's Batman, and the original comic book Batman from 1939.

Digital series

SeriesSeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast releasedNetwork
Lobo 114June 15, 2000 (2000-06-15) [12] September 14, 2000 (2000-09-14) warnerbros.com
Gotham Girls 1 11July 27, 2000 (2000-07-27)December 14, 2000 (2000-12-14) warnerbros.com
2 10June 5, 2001 (2001-06-05)October 9, 2001 (2001-10-09)
3 10July 16, 2002 (2002-07-16)November 19, 2002 (2002-11-19)

Offshoot material

The DCAU also includes tie-in materials such as comic books, video games, and direct-to video films with a similar animation style; however, their continuity is disputable. While they are sometimes marketed as being part of the DCAU, some of these works have contradictory elements or are written by a different team.

For instance, many of the DCAU tie-in comics were written by a different team than the animated crew, such as the Ty Templeton penned The Batman Adventures comic series. However, some of the comics, such as the Batman: The Adventures Continue comics were written by the animated series writers, Paul Dini and Alan Burnett. Per the opinion of Bruce Timm, who has commented about the continuity of the DCAU comics previously, said "we didn't have any direct input on the comics...DC never solicited our opinions on what they were doing, nor would we have had time to give them notes if they had--I learned very early on not to get my nose bent out of joint if they did something in the comics we would never have done--my own personal way of dealing with it was to consider only the animated episodes themselves as true canon-which means that even Mad Love wasn't purely canonical until we adapted it for the animated series." [13]

In terms of feature films, the 2006 feature film Superman: Brainiac Attacks has been stated by writer Duane Capizzi that it was not intended to be part of the DCAU, despite using the same animation style and many of the voice actors from Superman: The Animated Series . [14]

Cancelled projects

An animated series based on the Teen Titans comic books was planned for the DC Animated Universe during the mid-1990s, but was ultimately scrapped, however the team was confirmed to exist in the universe in the Static Shock (which was also not initially intended to be part of the DCAU until the second season) episode "Hard as Nails" with Robin confirmed to be a member by Batman. [15] Instead a Teen Titans series not related to the DC animated universe was released. Also, after the success of Batman: The Animated Series in the early 1990s, Fox approached producer Bruce Timm to create a spin-off series focusing on Catwoman, but the project never materialized. [15]

In 1998, writer John P. McCann had been tasked with coming up with a Lobo animated series in the DC Animated Universe, with Brad Garrett set to reprise his role as the character, but the show had been cancelled right before production. A few elements of the show would find its way in the 2000 Lobo webseries, an online Flash animated series starring Lobo, the galactic bounty hunter, however whether the webseries is part of the official DCAU is unclear. A wax statue with the same character design as Lobo in this series appeared in an episode of Gotham Girls which somewhat support that the webseries is part of the official DCAU, although this is still disputed. Unlike the other shows set in the DCAU, it has graphic violence, sexual content, strong profanity, and a lack of tie-ins with the greater DCAU.

Before the release of Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker , a third animated feature based on Batman: The Animated Series was planned, entitled Batman: Arkham. The film was supposed to be a follow-up for Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero , and Boyd Kirkland was attached to write and direct; but the project was soon scrapped. A second Batman Beyond movie was planned for release but was finally scrapped due to the dark tones and controversies of Return of the Joker in 2001. [16] Around 2003, during the production of Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman , Warner Bros. approached Kirkland to write a Catwoman direct-to-video feature film as a tie-in with the 2004 live-action film. Although the script was written, the project was soon scrapped after the poor reception of the live-action film. [17]

Also, a direct-to-video feature-length animated film entitled Justice League: Worlds Collide was planned to connect Justice League with its follow-up Justice League Unlimited , but the production was finally cancelled in 2004, and the script was later rewritten for the animated film Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths , removing all connections to the DCAU. [18] [19]

In the early 2020s, Warner Bros. Animation approached Bruce Timm with the idea of producing a revival of Batman: The Animated Series set after the events of The New Batman Adventures , but Timm refused to develop a Batman show that was a continuation to The Animated Series, only being interested in a revival of Justice League that Warner wasn't interested in, with Timm opting to develop instead a new Batman series, that being Batman: Caped Crusader . [20] [21]

Comic books

Many of the DCAU productions have also had comic books created based on the characters of the various series, though their continuity is disputable. The comics are:

YearTitleIssues
1992 The Batman Adventures (vol. 1) #1–36
Mad Love
Holiday Special
Batman: Mask of the Phantasm
Annuals (#1–2)
1993Superman & Batman Magazine#1–8
1995 Batman and Robin Adventures #1–25
Annuals (#1–2)
Batman & Mr. Freeze: Sub-Zero
Dark Claw Adventures
1996 Superman Adventures #1–66
Annual
World's Finest
Superman vs. Lobo
Exclusive Edition (Superman '64 prequel)
Two-Face: Two of a Kind [22] #0
1997 Adventures in the DC Universe #1–19
Annual
1998 The Batman Adventures: The Lost Years #1–5
Batman: Gotham Adventures #1–60
Batgirl AdventuresOne-Shot
1999 Batman Beyond (vol. 1)#1–6
Batman Beyond (vol. 2)#1–24
Return of the Joker
Claritin Syrup Presents Batman [23] One-Shot
2001Gotham Knights#14 (backstory by Paul Dini) [24]
2002 Gotham Girls #1–5
Justice League Adventures #1–34
#1-8 (Burger King miniseries) [25]
2003 Batman Adventures (vol. 2)#1–17
Batman: Shadow of Sin Tzu#1–260
2004 Batman: Harley and Ivy #1–3
Justice League Unlimited #1–46
2010Batman Beyond (vol. 3)#1–6
Superman/Batman Annual#4
2011Batman Beyond (vol. 4)#1–8
Superman Beyond#0–20
2012Justice League Beyond#1–25
Batman Beyond Unlimited#1–18
2013Batman Beyond 2.0#1–40
Justice League Beyond 2.0#1–24
Batman Beyond Universe#1–16
2015Batman Beyond (vol. 5)#1-16
Scooby Doo Team Up [26] #12, #17, #23, #24 (series uses DCAU character models but ignores the lore)
2016 Batman/TMNT Adventures #1-6
Batman Beyond (vol. 6)#1-50
Rebirth
Love is Love [27] Harley and Ivy story by Paul Dini
Harley Quinn [28] #17-26 (backstory by Paul Dini) (used the art style and character models but has been stated before its follow-up mini-series "Harley loves Joker" to be in continuity to the current main universe instead)
2017Harley Quinn and Batman#1-5 (a prequel to the 2017 animated film Batman and Harley Quinn)
2017Batman and Harley Quinn#1-7 (a sequel to the 2017 animated film of the same name)
2018Harley loves Joker#1-2 (used the art style and character models, is also a follow-up to the Harley Quinn main series backstory but is then hinted to be in continuity to the main comic universe in Harley Quinn #42 with the "next issue" area and then is stated to be in the main universe by its official description)
2020 Batman: The Adventures Continue Season One#1-8 (print); 17 (digital)
2021Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Two#1-7
2021Justice League: Infinity#1-7
2023Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Three#1-8

Recurring cast and characters

List indicators

This section includes characters who will appear or have appeared in in the franchise.

CharacterTV SeriesFilms
Batman: The Animated Series Superman: The Animated Series The New Batman Adventures Batman Beyond Static Shock The Zeta Project Justice League Justice League Unlimited Batman: Mask of the Phantasm Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman Batman and Harley Quinn Justice League vs. the Fatal Five
Heroes and Allies
Bruce Wayne
Batman
Kevin Conroy
Dick Grayson
Robin/Nightwing
Loren Lester MentionedLoren LesterMentioned Cameo Loren LesterMentioned Loren Lester 
Barbara Gordon
Batgirl
Melissa Gilbert Mentioned Tara Strong Stockard Channing,
Angie Harmon
 CameoMentioned  Mary Kay Bergman Angie Harmon,
Tara Strong (flashback)
Tara Strong 
Tim Drake
Robin
  Mathew Valencia Mentioned Eli Marienthal,
Shane Sweet
 CameoMentioned  Dean Stockwell,
Mathew Valencia (flashback)
Eli Marienthal Cameo
Alfred Pennyworth Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Clive Revill Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Efrem Zimbalist Jr. 
Commissioner James Gordon Bob Hastings CameoBob Hastings Bob HastingsMentionedBob Hastings 
Detective Harvey Bullock Robert Costanzo  Robert Costanzo Robert Costanzo Robert Costanzo 
Clark Kent
Superman
  Tim Daly Cameo Christopher McDonald George Newbern  George Newbern George Newbern
Lois Lane   Dana Delany CameoMentioned Dana Delaney 
Kara In-Ze
Supergirl
  Nicholle Tom  Nicholle Tom Mentioned 
Jimmy Olsen David Kaufman David Kaufman C
Jonathan Kent Mike Farrell Mike FarrellMentioned
Martha Kent Shelley Fabares Shelley Fabares
Jor-El Christopher McDonald C Christopher McDonaldMentioned
Terry McGinnis
Batman
  Will Friedle  Will Friedle Will Friedle 
Dana Tan Lauren Tom Lauren TomLauren Tom
Wally West
Flash
  Charlie Schlatter   Michael Rosenbaum  Michael Rosenbaum 
John Henry Irons
Steel
  Michael Dorn   Phil LaMarr  
John Stewart
Green Lantern
  Phil LaMarr  Phil LaMarr Mentioned
Shayera Hol
Hawkgirl
  Maria Canals  Maria Canals Mentioned
J'onn J'onzz   Carl Lumbly  Carl Lumbly Mentioned
Virgil Hawkins
Static
  Phil LaMarr  Phil LaMarr 
Diana of Themyscira
Wonder Woman
 Mentioned Mentioned  Susan Eisenberg  Susan Eisenberg
Villains
The Joker Mark Hamill CameoMark Hamill Mark HamillMentionedMark Hamill Mark HamillMentioned
Harleen Quinzel
Harley Quinn
Arleen Sorkin CameoArleen Sorkin Arleen Sorkin Arleen Sorkin  Melissa Rauch Cameo
Pamela Lillian Isley
Poison Ivy
Diane Pershing Diane PershingDiane PershingDiane Pershing Paget Brewster Cameo
Ra's al Ghul David Warner  David Warner 
Oswald Cobblepot
The Penguin
Paul Williams Cameo Mentioned  David Ogden Stiers  
Edward Nygma
The Riddler
John Glover Cameo Cameo 
Rupert Thorne John Vernon John Vernon 
Jervis Tetch
The Mad Hatter
Roddy McDowall C C
Bane Henry Silva Cameo  Héctor Elizondo  
Dr. Jonathan Crane
The Scarecrow
Henry Polic II Jeffrey Combs  
Victor Fries
Mr. Freeze
Michael Ansara  Michael Ansara Mentioned Michael AnsaraCameo 
Arnold Wesker
Ventriloquist and Scarface
George Dzundza George Dzundza C C
Selina Kyle
Catwoman
Adrienne Barbeau  Adrienne BarbeauCameo Mentioned Mentioned 
Harvey Dent
Two-Face
Richard Moll  Richard MollCameo Cameo  Bruce Timm
Matt Hagen
Clayface
Ron Perlman  Ron Perlman Ron Perlman 
Temple Fugate
The Clock King
Alan Rachins Alan Rachins
Garfield Lynns
Firefly
Mark Rolston Mark Rolston
Lex Luthor   Clancy Brown  Clancy Brown 
Mercy Graves Lisa Edelstein Lisa Edelstein
Darkseid   Michael Ironside  Michael Ironside 
Brainiac   Corey Burton  Corey Burton Corey Burton 
Kalibak Michael Dorn Michael Dorn
Granny Goodness Ed Asner Ed Asner
Winslow P Schott Jr
Toyman
  Bud Cort  Bud Cort  Corey Burton Bud Cort 
John Corben
Metallo
  Malcolm McDowell   Corey Burton Malcolm McDowell 
Rudy Jones
Parasite
  Brion James   Brian George  
Sinestro Ted Levine Ted LevineTed Levine
Lobo   Brad Garrett  Brad Garrett 
Claire Selton
Volcana
Peri Gilpin Peri Gilpin C
General Hardcastle  Charles Napier  Charles Napier 
Gorilla Grodd Powers Boothe

Comics

The Batman Beyond comic series is a loose adaptation of the Batman Beyond franchise, intended to fit the character and storylines from the series into the mainstream DC continuity. The miniseries began in June 2010, under the title Future Evil. In August 2010, the series was announced to continue following the completion of the first arc as an ongoing series. [29] That series concluded alongside the entire line of ongoing monthly DC Comics superhero books during the 2011 revamp and relaunch, titled The New 52.

Superman Beyond, a one-shot comic set in the same universe as Batman Beyond, was released in 2011.

Batman Beyond Unlimited, a title chronicling the adventures of the future Justice League introduced in the DCAU, was released in February 2012. [30] This series published monthly triple-sized issues, containing three stories of Terry McGinnis, Clark "Cal" Kent, and the future Justice League Unlimited, respectively. [31]

Batman Beyond Universe succeeded Unlimited in August 2013, condensing to double-monthly issues upon the elderly Superman's rejoining the future Justice League. [32]

Terry McGinnis was the central figure in The New 52: Futures End weekly series. [33]

In 2015–2016, DC Comics and IDW Publishing released a jointly produced, six-issue miniseries comic titled Batman/TMNT , where the New 52 Batman encounters the IDW incarnation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The success of this miniseries inspired a similar crossover story, with Batman's DCAU incarnation meeting the Amazing Adventures comic version of the 2012 CGI series' Turtles. Titled Batman/TMNT Adventures , the concept was first announced in late July 2016 and scheduled for a six-issue release starting November 9, 2016. [34] [35]

A comic book continuation of seven-issues of Justice League Unlimited, called Justice League Infinity, was released monthly between July 2021 and January 2022; the series is set after the show's finale and explores the consequences of Darkseid's disappearance and the League clashing with their alternate universe counterparts.

Outside media

Video games

Several DCAU tie-in video games were released to correspond with the various animated television series and films. Some of these games have original plots, while others follow previous stories; their status in DCAU continuity is unknown. The games are:

YearTitlePlatforms
1993 Batman: The Animated Series Game Boy
1994 The Adventures of Batman & Robin Super NES, Mega Drive/Genesis, Sega CD/Mega-CD, Game Gear
1997Superman [36] Game Boy
1999 Superman Nintendo 64
2000 Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker Game Boy Color, PlayStation, Nintendo 64
2001 Batman: Chaos in Gotham Game Boy Color
Batman: Gotham City Racer PlayStation
Batman: Vengeance PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Xbox, Microsoft Windows
2002 Justice League: Injustice for All Game Boy Advance
Static Shock (canceled game) [37]
Superman: Shadow of Apokolips PlayStation 2, GameCube
2003 Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu Xbox, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, GameCube
Justice League: Chronicles Game Boy Advance
Superman: Countdown to Apokolips
2016View-Master Batman Animated VR iOS, Android

Six of these games feature voice acting from the casts of the original shows. These are: The Adventures of Batman and Robin (SEGA CD/Mega CD version), Superman, Batman Vengeance, Superman: Shadow of Apokolips, Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu, and View-Master Batman Animated VR. The SEGA CD/Mega CD game, The Adventures of Batman and Robin, also features animation from one of the studios that worked on Batman: The Animated Series.

The Heart of Batman

A 90-minute documentary film was released on October 16, 2018, as part of the Batman: The Complete Animated Series Deluxe Limited Edition [38] and Batman: The Complete Animated Series Blu-ray/Digital box set, [39] [40] and was later made available on the official Warner Bros. Entertainment YouTube channel. [40] [41] [42]

Crossovers, adaptations, and references

TV series

YearSeriesEpisodeDCAU Reference
1995 Freakazoid "Dance of Doom"Batman makes a brief appearance apprehending a criminal. He is unable to help battle Cave Guy due to being on a different network. [43]
1995 Animaniacs "A Hard Day's Warners" Paul Dini and Bruce Timm can be seen at the Batman booth with a Mask of the Phantasm poster. [44]
2011 Batman: The Brave and the Bold "Night of the Batmen!"Batman's TNBA design shows up among the Batmen of other worlds along with Batman Beyond [45]
2013 Teen Titans Go! multipleMeta-gags referencing the DCAU have been made. [46]
2022 Harley Quinn "Batman Begins Forever"The visual style used in Bruce Wayne's mindscape and memories is a homage to the visual style of BTAS. [47]
2023 My Adventures with Superman "Kiss Kiss Fall in Portal"As Superman tries to hid his secret identity from Mister Mxyzptlk, he explains that he knows Clark Kent is Superman in every universe, while transforming him into multiple variants, including the DCAU version. [48]
2024 Batman: Caped Crusader "Savage Night"In the end of the episode, Batman can be seen posing like in the opening of BTAS, after throwing a Batrang on Rupert Thorne's house as a warning. [49]
2025 Creature Commandos "Priyatel Skelet"During Doctor Phosphorus' flashback, Batman appears in the club where Phosphorus was dancing to capture him, posing the same way as in BTAS's opening. [50]

Movies

YearTitleDCAU Reference
2021 Space Jam: A New Legacy Many DCAU characters appear throughout the movie
2024 Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths An army of Anti-Monitors begins killing multiple universes, including an Earth visualy similar to the DCAU.

Comics

YearTitleIssueDCAU Reference
1994Man of Steel#37Batman appears in his BTAS design on the front cover [51]
1999Fan Boy#5 Bruce Timm was a featured artist, lending his Batman to the issue [52]
1999Superman/Fantastic FourOne-ShotSuperman's DCAU counterpart makes a cameo
2001 Catwoman #89Harleen Quinzel pitches a TV series in the same style of The New Batman Adventures. [53]
2005 Krypto the Superdog #1-6Artist Min S Ku draws many characters in their DCAU style.
2007 Teen Titans Go! #45The Justice League is presented in their DCAU style
2008 Legion of Super Heroes in the 31st Century #11The Justice League appears in their DCAU versions
2013 Green Lantern: The Animated Series #13Lobo shows up in his DCAU design
2014Adventures of Superman#40The Joker shows up in multiple styles, including his TNBA look. [54]
2017Action Comics#975Mr. Mxyzptlk and Superman appear in their STAS style. [55]

Characters adapted from the DCAU

Though the DCAU is an offshoot of the mainstream DC comics universe, it has also affected the DC universe in return. The following characters were originally created for their respective series in the DCAU, but were eventually adapted into the mainstream comics continuity:

In addition, the backstory of Mr. Freeze was adapted from his portrayal in Batman: The Animated Series, and the visuals or characterization of Green Lantern, Supergirl, Toyman, Two-Face, Parasite, Metallo, Clayface, and many others have been applied to their comic counterparts. On a different note, issue #22 of DC Comics' Superman/Batman series, which explores alternate realities, had Bizarro transported to an alternate version of Gotham City that was patrolled by a Batman using the Batman Beyond version of the costume. A version of the future of Batman Beyond made an appearance in Countdown to Final Crisis #21, as part of the new Multiverse in the wake of the Infinite Crisis and 52 series, and a Batman Beyond series had been planned. In January 2015, DC published The Multiversity Guidebook which revealed a universe inspired by the DCAU is Earth-12 in the DC Multiverse, and currently in the Batman Beyond era, while the Justice Lords Earth from those Beyond comics has also been added to the continuity as Earth-50. [56]

In the three part movie series Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths , the end of part three saw the end of Earth-12 which represented a universe animated in the same style of the DC Animated Universe. In this scene, Batman was fighting Joker on the roof of a building in Gotham City in his original BTAS costume. It was unclear whether or not the events of that scene took place after the events of Justice League Unlimited and the events in the era of Batman Beyond.

See also

References

  1. "Top 100 Animated Series - IGN.com".
  2. "The Best Animated Series of All Time". March 4, 2022.
  3. "The Untold Truth of the DC Animated Universe". March 9, 2022.
  4. "Top 25 Animated Movies of All-Time". IGN. June 25, 2010. Archived from the original on January 6, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
  5. "Batman: Mask of the Phantasm". Rotten Tomatoes . Archived from the original on January 30, 2008. Retrieved January 21, 2008.
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