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DC Animated Universe

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File:DCAU.jpg
An image of many of the DCAU heroes.

The DC animated universe (aka DCAU) 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. 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.

TV series

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

Feature 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[citation needed], 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:

Four 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), Batman: Vengeance, Superman: Shadow of Apokolips, and Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu). The SEGA CD/Mega CD game, The Adventures of Batman and Robin, also features animation from one of the studios that animated Batman: The Animated Series.

Chronology in the DC animated universe

Main articles: Chronology in the DC animated universe & DCAU Extended Timeline Guide

Characters adapted from the DCAU

Though the DCAU is an off-shoot 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 Bizzaro transported to an alternate version of Gotham City patrolled by a Batman using the Batman Beyond version of the costume. At the 200 New York Comic-Con, Dan Didio hinted that the Tomorrow Knight may make further apperances in the mainstream DCU during late 2007.

Inconsistencies within the DCAU

Many prior inconsistencies within the DC animated universe continuity have been cleared up via retroactive continuity. However, the following inconsistencies are still present:

  • 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. However, Bruce is older and does tend to keep many older things in the Manor. One could even suggest Terry was leaving a message on Bruce's voicemail.
  • Forager first appeared alongside the other New Gods in "Apokolips... Now!" against Darkseid. But this is inconsistent with his appearance later in the episode Twilight, as a bug. In the commentary for Superman: The Animated Series, the episode "Apokolips...Now!" was discussed and this was mentioned as being a mistake.

The future of the DCAU

With the conclusion of the Justice League Unlimited animated series, it is apparent that the DC animated universe may be dying off, as Warner Bros. appears to be more interested in adapting new versions of the various DC comics properties, rather than reviving their DCAU counterparts yet again. As such, the future of the DCAU is currently in question, and only time will tell whether or not the continuity continues forward.

It is rumored, however, that there are several straight-to-DVD movies set in the DCAU continuity in various stages of pre-production[citation needed], as a Justice League Unlimited movie is occasionally mentioned. However, these projects may not actually exist, and mention of them may simply result from confusion with similar animated projects that Warner Bros. is currently working on. For instance, Warner is developing a Justice League: The New Frontier movie, but this is not set in the DCAU continuity. Additionally the Justice League Unlimited comic book series, which is based on the continuity of the animated series of the same name, is still in production.

In the wake of the comic book series, 52, some fans think that the DCAU may be adapted into the modern DC universe as one of the multiverse earths. This has yet to be confirmed.

DVD releases

  • Batman: The Animated Series, Volumes 1-4 (contains all episodes of Batman: 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 Beyond: Return of the Joker (full-length movie)
  • Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (full-length movie)
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