DC Animated Universe
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
DC Animated Universe
DC Animated Universe
3,808
pages
in: A to Z, Definitions

Changes: DC Animated Universe

Back to page
View source
Tags: Visual edit apiedit
No edit summary
(48 intermediate revisions by 18 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{Realworld}}
  
{{Realworld}}
−
The '''DC Animated Universe''', or '''DCAU''', is the name given to the shared continuity existing between the DC Comics-based animated series {{btas}}, {{stas}}, {{tnba}}, {{bb}}, {{tzp}}, {{ss}}, {{gg}}, {{lw}}, {{jl}} and {{jlu}}.
 +
The '''DC Animated Universe''', or '''DCAU''', is the name given to the shared continuity existing between the DC Comics-based animated series {{btas}}, {{stas}}, {{tnba}}, {{bb}}, {{tzp}}, {{ss}}, {{gg}}, {{lw}}, {{jl}}, and {{jlu}}.
   
−
<!-- Any statement pertaining to the coining of the term "DCAU" must include a citation. Unsupported claims will be removed. -->This continuity is also sometimes referred to as the '''Timmverse''' (after [[Bruce Timm]], the continuity's most consistent creative influence) and in the past, the '''Diniverse''' (after [[Paul Dini]], who has mostly departed from [[Warner Bros.]] Animation).
+
<!-- Any statement pertaining to the coining of the term "DCAU" must include a citation. Unsupported claims will be removed. -->This continuity is also sometimes referred to as the '''Timmverse''' (after [[Bruce Timm]], the continuity's most consistent creative influence) and in the past, the '''Diniverse''' (after [[Paul Dini]], who has mostly departed from [[Warner Bros.]] Animation).
   
 
== In-continuity of the DCAU ==
  
== In-continuity of 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 {{btas}}, the original show in this universe. Older shows such as ''[[wikipedia:Super Friends|Super Friends]]'' and newer shows such as ''[[wikipedia:Justice League Action|Justice League Action]]'' are not part of this continuity.
−  
⚫
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 {{btas}}, the original show in this universe. Older shows such as ''[[wikipedia:Super Friends|Super Friends]]'' and newer shows such as ''[[The Batman]]'' are not part of this continuity.
  
   
 
=== TV series ===
  
=== TV series ===
−  
 
The DC Animated Universe primarily consists of these animated series (and their related films; see below):
  
The DC Animated Universe primarily consists of these animated series (and their related films; see below):
−  
 
* {{btas}} (1992-1995 on FOX Kids; later renamed ''The Adventures of Batman & Robin'')
  
* {{btas}} (1992-1995 on FOX Kids; later renamed ''The Adventures of Batman & Robin'')
−
* {{stas}} (1996-2000 on [[Warner Bros.|Kids WB]]; compiled into ''The New Batman/Superman Adventures'')
 +
* {{stas}} (1996-2000 on [[Warner Bros.|Kids WB]]; later compiled into ''The New Batman/Superman Adventures'')
 
* {{tnba}} (1997-1999 on Kids WB; compiled into ''The New Batman/Superman Adventures'')
  
* {{tnba}} (1997-1999 on Kids WB; compiled into ''The New Batman/Superman Adventures'')
 
* {{bb}} (1999-2001 on Kids WB)
  
* {{bb}} (1999-2001 on Kids WB)
Line 22: Line 19:
   
 
=== Films ===
  
=== Films ===
−  
 
The following animated movies are also part of the continuity:
  
The following animated movies are also part of the continuity:
−  
 
* ''[[Batman: Mask of the Phantasm]]'' (1993; theatrical release)
  
* ''[[Batman: Mask of the Phantasm]]'' (1993; theatrical release)
 
* ''[[Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero]]'' (1998; direct-to-video)
  
* ''[[Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero]]'' (1998; direct-to-video)
Line 31: Line 26:
   
 
=== Web cartoons ===
  
=== Web cartoons ===
−
Two canonical DCAU Macromedia Flash web cartoon series were downloadable from the WB website. As can be expected, the animation wasn't up to par with the television shows. Although these webtoons were well received, only ''Gotham Girls'' is available on DVD as part of the ''Birds of Prey'' complete series DVD.
+
Two canonical DCAU Macromedia Flash web cartoon series were downloadable from the WB website. As can be expected, the animation wasn't up to par with the television shows. Although these webtoons were well received, only ''Gotham Girls'' is available on DVD as part of the ''[[Wikipedia:Birds of Prey (TV series)|Birds of Prey]]'' complete series DVD.
   
 
* {{gg}} (2000-2002)
  
* {{gg}} (2000-2002)
Line 37: Line 32:
   
 
== Not In-Continuity with the DCAU ==
  
== Not In-Continuity with the DCAU ==
−
=== ''[[Teen Titans]]'' ===
 +
=== ''Teen Titans'' ===
−
A source of controversy among fans has surrounded the place of ''[[Teen Titans]]'' in the DC Animated Universe. During the series' production, [[Bruce Timm]] stated that there would be no crossover with {{jlu}}; however, it should be noted that he did consider doing it, and chose not to for style and presentation reasons. Also, series producer and creator Glen Murakami has stated that the inspiration for the series is the 1980s ''The New Teen Titans'' comic book series, and not the ''Justice League'' animated series. Although [[Batman]] does refer to "[[Titans|the Titans]]" in the {{ss}} episode "[[Hard as Nails]]", there is little to suggest that the mentioned Titans are those represented in this series. During the show's run, it was never established to be a part of the larger DC Animated Universe.
 +
A source of controversy among fans has surrounded the place of ''[[Teen Titans]]'' in the DC Animated Universe. During the series' production, [[Bruce Timm]] stated that there would be no crossover with {{jlu}}; however, it should be noted that he did consider doing it, and chose not to for style and presentation reasons. Also, series producer and creator [[Glen Murakami]] has stated that the inspiration for the series is the 1980s ''The New Teen Titans'' comic book series, and not the ''Justice League'' animated series. Although [[Batman]] does refer to "[[Titans|the Titans]]" in the {{ss}} episode "[[Hard as Nails]]", there is little to suggest that the mentioned Titans are those represented in this series. During the show's run, it was never established to be a part of the larger DC Animated Universe.
   
 
=== ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' ===
  
=== ''Legion of Super-Heroes'' ===
−
Despite popular belief, this series, which premiered in 2006, was not spun off "[[Far From Home]]" (or "[[New Kids in Town]]"). It was Kids WB's idea to cash in on the [[Wikipedia:Bryan Singer|Bryan Singer']]s movie ''[[Wikipedia:Superman Returns|Superman Returns]]''. Like the Titans, there is a [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] in the DCAU, but this is a different incarnation altogether.
 +
Despite popular belief, this series, which premiered in 2006, was not spun off "[[Far From Home]]" (or "[[New Kids in Town]]"). According to producer [[James Tucker]], it was Kids WB's idea to cash in on [[Wikipedia:Bryan Singer|Bryan Singer]]'s movie ''[[Wikipedia:Superman Returns|Superman Returns]]''.<ref>[https://twitter.com/JTuckerAnimator/status/942920165276008448 @JTuckerAnimator James Tucker] on [https://twitter.com Twitter]</ref> Like the [[Titans]], there is a [[Legion of Super-Heroes]] in the DCAU, but this is a different incarnation altogether.
   
 
=== Other series ===
  
=== Other series ===
 
Several other animated television series and films based on the DC Universe were not set in the DCAU:
  
Several other animated television series and films based on the DC Universe were not set in the DCAU:
−
* ''[[The Batman]]'' (2004–2008)
 +
* ''[[wikipedia:The Batman|The Batman]]'' (2004–2008)
−
* ''[[Krypto the Superdog]]'' (2005–2006)
 +
* ''[[wikipedia:Krypto the Superdog|Krypto the Superdog]]'' (2005–2006)
−
* ''[[Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' (2008-2011)
 +
* ''[[wikipedia:Batman: The Brave and the Bold|Batman: The Brave and the Bold]]'' (2008-2011)
 
* ''[[Superman: Brainiac Attacks]]'' (2006)
  
* ''[[Superman: Brainiac Attacks]]'' (2006)
−
* ''[[DC Universe Animated Original Movies]]'' (2007–present)
 +
* [[DC Universe Animated Original Movies]] (2007-present)
−
* ''[[Young Justice]]'' (2010-2013)
 +
* ''[[w:c:youngjustice:Young Justice|Young Justice]]'' (2010-2013; 2019)
−
* ''[[Green Lantern: The Animated Series]]'' (2012-2013)
 +
* ''[[wikipedia:Green Lantern: The Animated Series|Green Lantern: The Animated Series]]'' (2012-2013)
−
* ''[[Teen Titans Go!]]'' (2013-present)
 +
* ''[[wikipedia:Teen Titans Go! (TV series)|Teen Titans Go!]]'' (2013-present)
−
* ''[[Beware the Batman]]'' (2013-2014)
 +
* ''[[wikipedia:Beware the Batman|Beware the Batman]]'' (2013-2014)
  +
* Lego DC Comics Super Heroes (2014-present)
−
* ''[[Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles]]'' (2015)
 
−
* ''[[Justice League Action]]'' (2016-present)
 +
* ''[[wikipedia:DC Super Hero Girls|DC Super Hero Girls]]'' (2015-present)
  +
* ''[[wikipedia:Justice League Action|Justice League Action]]'' (2016-2018)
   
 
=== Comics ===
  
=== Comics ===
−
Several [[DCAU Comics|tie-in comics]] were published by DC and later its youth oriented imprint, Johnny DC. Though in some cases, production crew from the animated series were involved in the comics, they are generally reckoned out-of-continuity with the series. The comics introduced [[Superman]], [[Lex Luthor|Luthor]], [[Huntress]], [[Killer Frost]], [[A.M.A.Z.O.|Amazo]], [[Shadow Thief]], [[Chronos]] and many others before ther animated debuts, and in a wholly different manner.
+
Several [[DCAU Comics|tie-in comics]] were published by DC and later its youth oriented imprint, Johnny DC. Though in some cases, production crew from the animated series were involved in the comics, they are generally reckoned out-of-continuity with the series. The comics introduced [[Superman]], [[Lex Luthor|Luthor]], [[Huntress]], [[Killer Frost]], [[A.M.A.Z.O.|Amazo]], [[Shadow Thief]], [[Chronos]] and many others before ther animated debuts, and in a wholly different manner.
   
−
On some occasions, information from the comics is used—if a DCAU original character goes unnamed in the show itself. Examples include [[Dottie]], [[Tayko]] and [[Weasel]].
 +
On some occasions, information from the comics is used—if a DCAU original character goes unnamed in the show itself. Examples include [[Dottie]], [[Tayko]] and [[Weasel]] from {{bb}}.
   
 
=== Books ===
  
=== Books ===
−
Many easy reading books were written, as tie-ins to {{btas}}, {{ss}}, {{jl}} and others.
+
Many easy reading books were written, as tie-ins to {{btas}}, {{ss}}, {{jl}} and others. Novelizations and comic book adaptations of DCAU films have also been released.
   
 
=== Video Games ===
  
=== Video Games ===
Line 79: Line 75:
 
* ''[[Justice League: Chronicles]]'' (2003)
  
* ''[[Justice League: Chronicles]]'' (2003)
 
* ''[[Superman: Countdown to Apokolips]]'' (2003)
  
* ''[[Superman: Countdown to Apokolips]]'' (2003)
  +
* ''[[View-Master Batman Animated VR]]'' (2016)
−
=== Future of the DCAU ===
  
−
Following the end of {{jlu}}, Warner Bros. moved to make new and original animated series and movies rather than reviving the DCAU continuity.
  
−  
−
The last script written for DCAU continuity was ''[[Justice League: Worlds Collide]]'', a planned [[Wikipedia: Direct-to-video|DTV]] movie which was supposed to be produced concurrently with the first season of ''Unlimited''. However, the film was never made and the script was eventually rewritten for ''[[Justice League: Crisis On Two Earths]]'', of the [[DC Universe Animated Original Movies]], which are not part of the DCAU continuity.
  
   
−
On June 8, 2015, during an interview with the website [[Wikipedia:Nerdist|Nerdist]] about ''[[Justice League: Gods and Monsters]]'', [[Bruce Timm]] was asked if the DC animated universe will return someday. Although he stated that the DCAU continuity will likely not return, he stated that anyway, the chance of it coming back if it exists.<ref>[http://nerdist.com/interview-bruce-timm-talks-justice-league-gods-and-monsters/]</ref> Apart from Timm's statements, several petitions were recnetly made to bring back {{bb}}<ref>[https://www.change.org/p/bruce-timm-greenlight-batman-beyond-season-4]</ref> and {{jlu}}<ref>[https://www.change.org/p/cartoon-network-cartoon-network-greenlight-a-fourth-season-of-justice-league-unlimited]</ref>.
  
 
== References ==
  
== References ==
 
{{Reflist}}
  
{{Reflist}}

Revision as of 07:22, 3 January 2020

This article is written from the Real World perspective Bruce Timm

The DC Animated Universe, or DCAU, is the name given to the shared continuity existing between the DC Comics-based animated series Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated Series, The New Batman Adventures, Batman Beyond, The Zeta Project, Static Shock, Gotham Girls, Lobo: Webseries, Justice League, and Justice League Unlimited.

This continuity is also sometimes referred to as the Timmverse (after Bruce Timm, the continuity's most consistent creative influence) and in the past, the Diniverse (after Paul Dini, who has mostly departed from Warner Bros. Animation).

In-continuity of 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 Justice League Action are not part of this continuity.

TV series

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

Films

The following animated movies are also part of the continuity:

Web cartoons

Two canonical DCAU Macromedia Flash web cartoon series were downloadable from the WB website. As can be expected, the animation wasn't up to par with the television shows. Although these webtoons were well received, only Gotham Girls is available on DVD as part of the Birds of Prey complete series DVD.

Not In-Continuity with the DCAU

Teen Titans

A source of controversy among fans has surrounded the place of Teen Titans in the DC Animated Universe. During the series' production, Bruce Timm stated that there would be no crossover with Justice League Unlimited; however, it should be noted that he did consider doing it, and chose not to for style and presentation reasons. Also, series producer and creator Glen Murakami has stated that the inspiration for the series is the 1980s The New Teen Titans comic book series, and not the Justice League animated series. Although Batman does refer to "the Titans" in the Static Shock episode "Hard as Nails", there is little to suggest that the mentioned Titans are those represented in this series. During the show's run, it was never established to be a part of the larger DC Animated Universe.

Legion of Super-Heroes

Despite popular belief, this series, which premiered in 2006, was not spun off "Far From Home" (or "New Kids in Town"). According to producer James Tucker, it was Kids WB's idea to cash in on Bryan Singer's movie Superman Returns.[1] Like the Titans, there is a Legion of Super-Heroes in the DCAU, but this is a different incarnation altogether.

Other series

Several other animated television series and films based on the DC Universe were not set in the DCAU:

Comics

Several tie-in comics were published by DC and later its youth oriented imprint, Johnny DC. Though in some cases, production crew from the animated series were involved in the comics, they are generally reckoned out-of-continuity with the series. The comics introduced Superman, Luthor, Huntress, Killer Frost, Amazo, Shadow Thief, Chronos and many others before ther animated debuts, and in a wholly different manner.

On some occasions, information from the comics is used—if a DCAU original character goes unnamed in the show itself. Examples include Dottie, Tayko and Weasel from Batman Beyond.

Books

Many easy reading books were written, as tie-ins to Batman: The Animated Series, Static Shock, Justice League and others. Novelizations and comic book adaptations of DCAU films have also been released.

Video Games

Several video games were made based on the DCAU, featuring the same character designs and most of the same voice cast. However, because of their interactive nature and often lack of story line, most games present continuity problems:

References

  1. ↑ @JTuckerAnimator James Tucker on Twitter
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
More Fandoms