DC Animated Universe
From DC Animated Universe Wiki, the DCAU Database
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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, Batman Beyond, The Zeta Project, Static Shock, Gotham Girls, Lobo, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. Teen Titans is of debatable canonicity.
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).
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[edit] 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 are not part of this continuity.
[edit] TV series
The DC animated universe primarily consists of these animated series (and their related films; see below):
- Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995) (later renamed The Adventures of Batman and Robin)
- Superman: The Animated Series (1996-2000) (compiled into The New Batman/Superman Adventures)
- The New Batman Adventures (1997-2000) (compiled into The New Batman/Superman Adventures)
- Batman Beyond (1999-2002)
- Static Shock (2000-2004)
- The Zeta Project (2001-2002)
- Justice League (2001-2004)
- Justice League Unlimited (2004-2006)
[edit] Films
The following spin-off films also are part of the continuity:
- Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993)
- Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1998)
- Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
- Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003)
[edit] Web cartoons
Two canonical DCAU Macromedia Flash web cartoon series were downloadable from the WB website, and were voiced by their original actors. As can be expected, the animation wasn't up to par with the television shows. Although these webtoons were well received, neither show is available on DVD as of this writing.
[edit] 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 was no proof 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.
Evidence of a shared setting include Kid Flash's Teen Titans costume in the Flash museum and an older Speedy drawn in his Teen Titans model. It is also interesting to note that Speedy and (Kid) Flash are voiced by the same actors in both Teen Titans and JLU (Mike Erwin and Michael Rosenbaum respectively).
The Teen Titans series refers vaguely to other DC characters not featured in the show, such as Robin's "I already have a father" when he rejects Slade's offer of mentorship, showing bats flying in the air. Nightwing is also featured when Starfire travels into the future as a future version of Robin. While he is normally considered to be Tim Drake (the younger robin in the New Batman Adventures), which would place Teen Titans after TNBA, if he does indeed become Nightwing, and he is the first one, than he would be Dick Grayson, placing Teen Titans before TNBA. (This would also jibe with the appearance of an adult Speedy in JLU.) Robin seems to spend all his time with the Teen Titans, unlike in the comics where he often spends half his time helping Batman, working with both affiliations.
