DC Animated Universe

Last updated
DC Animated Universe
DC Comics logo.svg
Created by
Original work Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995)
Owner Warner Bros. Entertainment
Years1992–2006
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) is a shared universe based on DC Comics and 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, a humanoid robot who is on the run from NSA agents. While minimal, the show had a few continuity tie-ins with the larger DC Animated Universe as well.

Television series

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

SeriesSeasonEpisodesOriginally aired Showrunner(s)Connections
First airedLast airedNetwork
Batman: The Animated Series 1 65September 5, 1992 (1992-09-05)September 17, 1993 (1993-09-17) Fox 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
Honorable mentions
Superman: Doomsday July 26, 2007 (San Diego Comic-Con)
September 18, 2007
Bruce Timm, Lauren Montgomery and Brandon Vietti Story by: Duane Capizzi and Bruce Timm
Screenplay by: Duane Capizzi
Direct-to-DVDDespite sharing a similar animation style to that seen in Superman: TAS, the film is only loosely based on the DCAU and is ultimately not canon.
Justice League: Gods and Monsters July 21, 2015 (digital)
July 28, 2015 (physical)
Sam LiuStory by: Alan Burnett and Bruce Timm
Screenplay by: Alan Burnett
Digital HD, DVD and Blu-rayWhile there is no definitive answer regarding the film's continuity in the DCAU, [9] the film does inherit the same visual style 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 [10] Darwyn Cooke [11] [12] 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 aired
First airedLast airedNetwork
Lobo 114June 15, 2000 (2000-06-15) [13] 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 canonicity 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 canonicity 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." [14]

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 . [15]

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. [16] 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. [16]

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. [17] 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. [18]

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. [19] [20]

Comic books

Many of the DCAU productions have also had comic books created based on the characters of the various series, though their canonicity 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 [21] #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 [22] One-Shot
2001Gotham Knights#14 (backstory by Paul Dini) [23]
2002 Gotham Girls #1–5
Justice League Adventures #1–34
#1-8 (Burger King miniseries) [24]
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 [25] #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 [26] Harley and Ivy story by Paul Dini
Harley Quinn [27] #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 canon 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 canon 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

CharacterTV SeriesFilms
Batman Superman 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 Mentioned Loren Lester Mentioned Cameo  Loren Lester Mentioned  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 Cameo Bob Hastings   Bob Hastings Mentioned Bob 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 Delaney 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 Cameo Mark Hamill   Mark Hamill Mentioned Mark Hamill   Mark Hamill Mentioned
Harleen Quinzel
Harley Quinn
Arleen Sorkin Cameo Arleen 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  Hector Elizondo  
Dr. Jonathan Crane
The Scarecrow
Henry Polic II Jeffery Combs  
Victor Fries
Mr. Freeze
Michael Ansara   Michael Ansara  Mentioned  Michael Ansara Cameo 
Arnold Wesker
Ventriloquist and Scarface
George Dzundza George Dzundza C C
Selina Kyle
Catwoman
Adrienne Barbeau   Adrienne Barbeau Cameo Mentioned Mentioned 
Harvey Dent
Two-Face
Richard Moll   Richard Moll Cameo 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 Levine Ted 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. [28] 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. [29] This series published monthly triple-sized issues, containing three stories of Terry McGinnis, Clark "Cal" Kent, and the future Justice League Unlimited, respectively. [30]

Batman Beyond Universe succeeded Unlimited in August 2013, condensing to double-monthly issues upon the elderly Superman's rejoining the future Justice League. [31]

Terry McGinnis was the central figure in The New 52: Futures End weekly series. [32]

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 [33] and scheduled for a six-issue release starting November 9, 2016. [34]

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 alternate versions of themselves within the Multiverse.

Outside media

Video games

There have also been a number of DCAU tie-in video games 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 canon 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 [35] 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) [36]
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 [37] and Batman: The Complete Animated Series Blu-ray/Digital box set, [38] [39] and was later made available on the official Warner Bros. Entertainment YouTube channel. [39] [40] [41]

Crossovers, adaptations, and references

TV series

YearSeriesEpisodeDCAU Reference
1995 Freakazoid Dance of DoomBatman appears, but is unable to help due to being on a different network [42]
1995 Animaniacs A Hard Day's Warners Paul Dini and Bruce Timm can be seen at the Batman booth in episode #73 with a Mask of the Phantasm poster [43]
2011 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Night of the BatmenBatman's TNBA design shows up among the Batmen of other worlds along with Batman Beyond [44]
2013 Teen Titans Go! multipleMeta-gags referencing the DCAU have been made [45]

Comics

YearTitleIssueDCAU Reference
1994Man of Steel#37Batman appears in his BTAS design on the front cover [46]
1999Fan Boy#5 Bruce Timm was a featured artist, lending his Batman to the issue [47]
1999Superman/Fantastic FourOne-ShotSuperman's DCAU counterpart makes a cameo
2001Catwoman#89Harleen Quinzel pitches a TV series in the same style of The New Batman Adventures [48]
2005Krypto the Super Dog#1-6Artist Min S Ku draws many characters in their DCAU style.
2007Teen Titans Go!#45The Justice League is presented in their DCAU style
2008Legion of Superheroes in the 31st Century#11The Justice League appears in their DCAU versions
2013Green 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. [49]
2017Action Comics#975Mr. Mxyzptlk and Superman appear in their STAS style. [50]

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 via retroactive continuity into the mainstream DC comic continuity:

In addition, the backstory of Mr. Freeze was adapted from his portrayal in Batman: The Animated Series, and the visuals and/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 Batman Beyond comics has also been added to the canon as Earth-50. [51]

See also

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<i>Super Friends</i> American animated television series about a team of superheroes (1973–1985)

Super Friends is an American animated television series about a team of superheroes which ran from 1973 to 1985 on ABC as part of its Saturday-morning cartoon lineup. It was produced by Hanna-Barbera and was based on the Justice League of America and associated comic book characters published by DC Comics. The title of the series varied from season to season, as did the superheroes on the team. Nine seasons, comprising a total of 93 episodes, were produced.

Justice League is an American animated television series which ran from November 17, 2001, to May 29, 2004, on Cartoon Network. The show was produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It is based on the Justice League of America and associated comic book characters published by DC Comics. It serves as a sequel to Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series, as well as a prequel to Batman Beyond, and is the seventh series of the DC Animated Universe. The series ended after two seasons, but was followed by Justice League Unlimited, a successor series which aired for three seasons.

<i>Justice League Unlimited</i> American animated television series (2004-2006)

Justice League Unlimited (JLU) is an American superhero animated television series that was produced by Warner Bros. Animation with DC Comics in season 3 and aired on Cartoon Network. Featuring a wide array of superheroes from the DC Universe, and specifically based on the Justice League superhero team, it is a direct sequel to the previous Justice League animated series and picks up around two years after it. JLU debuted on July 31, 2004, on Toonami and ended on May 13, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ace the Bat-Hound</span> DC Comics character

Ace the Bat-Hound is a superhero dog appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. He is commonly featured as the canine crime-fighting partner of Batman and as an ally of other animal superheroes, such as Krypto, Streaky, and the Legion of Super-Pets.

<i>The Batman</i> (TV series) 2004–2008 American television series

The Batman is an American animated television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. Developed by Michael Goguen and Duane Capizzi, and produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Comics for seasons 3–5, the series first aired on Kids' WB on September 11, 2004, then Cartoon Network on April 2, 2005. The show would become exclusive to the former network for its third, fourth, and fifth seasons in early 2006. The Batman won six Daytime Emmy Awards over the course of its run. Many elements from previous Batman storylines were borrowed and adapted, such as those from the comic books, film series and the animated shows like Batman: The Animated Series from the DC Animated Universe, but it remained strictly within its own distinct continuity. Jackie Chan Adventures artist Jeff Matsuda served as art director and provided the character designs. The production team altered the appearances of many of the comic books' supervillains for the show, such as the Joker, the Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Bane, and the Riddler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Barda</span> Fictional comic book character

Big Barda is an superheroine appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. She first appeared in Mister Miracle #4, and was created by Jack Kirby. She was raised as a member of the New Gods, but left to become a hero.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bruce Timm</span> American artist, character designer, animator

Bruce Walter Timm is an American artist, animator, writer, producer, and director. He is best known for contributing to building the modern DC Comics animated franchise, most notably as the head producer behind Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995), Superman: The Animated Series (1996–2000), The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999), Batman Beyond (1999–2001), Justice League (2001–2004), and Justice League Unlimited (2004–2006).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doctor Destiny</span> Fictional DC Comics character

Doctor Destiny is a supervillain appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics.

<i>The New Batman Adventures</i> American animated superhero TV series (1997–1999)

The New Batman Adventures is an American animated superhero television series based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, which aired on Kids' WB from September 13, 1997 to January 16, 1999. Produced by Warner Bros. Television Animation, it is a continuation of Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995) and the third series in the DC Animated Universe. It was followed by Batman Beyond (1999–2001). The series was revamped from BTAS, replacing its art style with streamlined designs to allow for more consistent animation and maintain similarity with the simultaneously running Superman: The Animated Series (1996–2000), with episodes airing on Kids' WB under the title The New Batman/Superman Adventures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mercy Graves</span> DC Comics character

Mercy Graves is a supervillain appearing in multimedia and American comic books published by DC Entertainment and DC Comics. Created for the DC Animated Universe (DCAU), she first appeared in 1996 on Superman: The Animated Series as the personal assistant and bodyguard of Superman's archenemy Lex Luthor, returning in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, voiced by Lisa Edelstein. She has since been introduced into comic books published by DC Comics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Superman (franchise)</span> Portrayals of Superman outside of comic books

The American comic book character Superman, created in 1938, has appeared in many types of media since the 1940s. Superman has appeared in radio, television, movies, and video games each on multiple occasions, and his name, symbol, and image have appeared on products and merchandise.

While Batman and Superman had their own animated series and comic book follow-ups, the rest of the characters in the DC Comics Universe appeared in the following comics often.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roxy Rocket</span> Comic book character

Roxy Rocket is a supervillain appearing in media published by DC Comics. She was created in 1994 for the DC Animated Universe comic series The Batman Adventures before appearing in the animated series The New Batman Adventures and Superman: The Animated Series. In 2006, the character was introduced to the main DC Universe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Batman in film</span> Film adaptations of the DC superhero

The Batman franchise, based on the fictional superhero Batman who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics, has seen the release of various films. Created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, the character first starred in two serial films in the 1940s, Batman and Batman and Robin. The character also appeared in the 1966 film Batman, which was a feature film adaptation of the 1960s television series starring Adam West and Burt Ward, who also starred in the film. Toward the end of the 1980s, the Warner Bros. studio began producing a series of feature films starring Batman, beginning with 1989's Batman, directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton. Burton and Keaton returned for the 1992 sequel Batman Returns, and in 1995, Joel Schumacher directed Batman Forever, with Val Kilmer as Batman. Schumacher also directed the 1997 sequel Batman & Robin, which starred George Clooney. Batman & Robin was poorly received by both critics and fans, leading to the cancellation of a sequel titled Batman Unchained.

The DC Universe Animated Original Movies are a series of American direct-to-video superhero animated films based on DC Comics characters and stories. From 2007 to 2022, films were produced primarily by Warner Bros. Animation but subsequently fell under DC Studios. Many films are usually stand-alone projects that are either adaptations of popular works or original stories.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joker in other media</span> Adaptation of DC character Joker in media

The Joker, a supervillain in DC Comics and archenemy of the superhero Batman, has appeared in various media. WorldCat records over 250 productions featuring the Joker as a subject, including films, television series, books, and video games. Live-action films featuring the character are typically the most successful.

<i>Justice League vs. the Fatal Five</i> 2019 animated film directed by Sam Liu

Justice League vs. the Fatal Five is a 2019 American animated superhero film produced by Warner Bros. Animation and DC Entertainment. Featuring the DC Comics team Justice League created by Gardner Fox, the film is the 36th of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies. The film features the voices of Elyes Gabel and Diane Guerrero alongside Kevin Conroy, Susan Eisenberg, and George Newbern reprising their roles as Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman, from various DC productions.

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