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DC Animated Universe

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File:Whoswh2.jpeg
A image of many of the DCAU heroes.

The DC animated universe is a fan term that refers to a series of animated television series and related spin-offs produced by Warner Bros. Animation which share the same continuity. Most of these animated series are adapted from DC Comics properties. The abbreviation "DCAU" is often used. This continuity is also sometimes referred to as the Timmverse (after producer Bruce Timm, the continuity's most consistent creative influence) and in the past, the Diniverse (after writer Paul Dini, who has mostly departed from Warner Bros. Animation).

In-continuity in the DCAU

While there have been several animated series based upon DC Comics characters over the decades, what is commonly accepted as the "DC animated universe" refers to the stable of shows and films that spin off from Batman: The Animated Series, the original show in this universe. Older shows such as Super Friends and newer shows such as The Batman and Legion of Super Heroes are not part of this continuity. Others like the straight-to-video film Superman: Brainiac Attacks may not be considered part of the DC Animated Universe, despite utilizing the same character designs and much of the same cast as Superman: The Animated Series. Teen Titans leaves it ambiguous, leaving nods to the DCAU but being a totally different style, leaving fans to make their own decision.

TV series

The DC animated universe primarily consists of these animated series (and their related films; see below):

Films

The following spin-off films, theatrical feature films and direct-to-video, also are part of the continuity:

Web cartoons

Gotham Girls, a Macromedia Flash web cartoon series was downloadable from the WB website, and featured DCAU versions of characters voiced by their original actors. A DC comics mini-series inspired by the series was released in 2004. Although Gotham Girls webtoons were well received they remain unavailable on DVD as of right now despite fan interest.

There was a second web cartoon series starring Lobo, but featured designs and actors different from the established DCAU versions, so it is considered out of continuity and is also unavailable on DVD at present.

Comic books

Many of the DCAU shows have also had comic books created based on the characters of the various shows. Bruce Timm has declared most of them non-canon, although they are still based on the continuity. The comics are (not counting annuals, or specials):

Video games

There have also been a number of DCAU tie-in video games released to correspond with the various animated television series. Some of these games have original plots, while others follow previous stories, their status in DCAU canon is unknown as of yet. The games are:

Chronology in the DC animated universe

Main article: Chronology in the DC animated universe

Characters adapted from the DCAU

Though the DCAU is an off-shot of the mainstream DC comics universe, it has also impacted 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 DC comic continuity:

In addition, the backstory of Mr. Freeze was adapted from his portrayal in Batman: The Animated Series, and the visuals and characterization of Green Lantern, Tim Drake, 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 a character transported to an alternate version of Gotham City patrolled by a Batman using the Batman Beyond version of the costume.

Inconsistencies within the DCAU

Most of the inconsistencies in the DCAU have been cleared up via retroactive continuity.

  • In the series Static Shock, Virgil Hawkins once said that "even Clark Kent had a day job." He would later meet Superman and not be aware of his secret identity, so it is now unclear what Static meant. Static's comment once made sense, as his series was originally separate from the other shows just as the original Static comics were, until a crossover episode with Batman began to link them. However, Static co-creator Dwayne McDuffie's philosophy of comic crossover continuity is "don't worry about it."
  • In the Batman Beyond/Static Shock crossover, "Future Shock", Terry McGinnis refers to an answering machine as something no longer used in the future but in the Batman Beyond movie Return of the Joker after he and his girlfriend, Dana, had been attacked by Jokerz, Terry calls Bruce and uses an answering machine to leave a message.
  • Forager first appeared alongside the other New Gods in Apokolips... Now! against Darkseid. But this is inconsistent since he appeared in Twilight as a bug. In the commentary for Superman TAS for the episode Apokolips... Now! this was discussed and shown to be just a mistake.

DVD releases

  • Batman: The Animated Series, Volumes 1-4 (contains all episodes of B:TAS and The New Batman Adventures)
  • Superman: The Animated Series, Volumes 1-3 (complete series)
  • Batman Beyond, Seasons 1-3 (complete series)
  • Justice League, Seasons 1 and 2 (complete series)
  • Justice League Unlimited, Seasons 1 and 2 (complete series)
  • Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (full-length movie)
  • Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (full-length movie)
  • Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (full-length movie)
  • Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (full-length movie)


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