DC Animated Universe

The DC Animated Universe is a series of television shows which share the same continuity. Most of these animated series are adapted from DC Comics properties. The abbreviation "DCAU" is often used. The continuity is also sometimes referred to as the "Timmverse" (after Bruce Timm) and in the past, the "Diniverse" (after Paul Dini, who has mostly departed from Warner Bros. Animation)

Shows

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 that spin off from ', 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.

Related Topics:
Super Friends - The Batman

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In-continuity

The universe consists of these animated series, and their related films:

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• ' (later renamed The Adventures of Batman and Robin)
• '
• The New Batman Adventures (sometimes referred to as "Gotham Knights")
• Batman Beyond
• The Zeta Project
• Static Shock
• Justice League
• Justice League Unlimited

Other series

Shows that are considered to be separate from the main universe by most, but could somehow be connected are:

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• Teen Titans
• Krypto the Superdog

Each of those shows is associated with the DC animated universe differently.

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Teen Titans is the most strongly debated as to its place in DC's animated continuity. The debate generally centers on the Robin of the series, and his true identity. Before the launch of the series, the existence of the Teen Titans was revealed in an episode of Static Shock, in which Batman stated that Robin (Tim Drake) was "with the Titans." However, in execution, the Robin who appears in Teen Titans seems to be suggested to be the original Robin, Dick Grayson, but the differences in costume make it difficult to place the series anywhere but before Batman: The Animated Series begins. Other suggestions that this Robin is Grayson include his relationship with Starfire (which involved Grayson in the original comics), and the fact that Robin's dwarfish interdimensional doppleganger is named "Nosyarg Kcid" - "Dick Grayson," backwards. Finally, when we are offered a glimpse of fifteen years in the future, we see that Robin has adopted the costumed identity of Nightwing - an action taken by Grayson in both the comics and in the Batman animated series. However, this is not conclusive. Adding to the belief that Teen Titans is not set in the same continuity are the events of the Batman Beyond direct-to-video feature Return of the Joker, which tells the fate of Tim Drake, though it is set in the future so those events may or may not occur. Finally, it is said that the upcoming fifth season of "Teen Titans" will feature Wally West/Kid Flash, which will blatantly clash with the continuity resultant in the Wally West Flash of "Justice League". Bruce Timm has stated that Titans and Justice League Unlimited will not be having a crossover anytime soon, but has not discounted the possibility.

Related Topics:
Robin - Starfire - Direct-to-video - Return of the Joker - Tim Drake - Crossover

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Krypto the Superdog is more of a regular children's cartoon than an all-ages animated series. The debate stems from the appearance of Superman in the show, although not enough of him was seen to deduce whether he is the same as appearing in Justice League Unlimited. However, the background shots of Metropolis strongly resemble those in the Superman animated series.

Related Topics:
Cartoon - Superman

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Additionally, The Batman is openly a completely separate universe, evidenced by the vast differences between the characters and continuity of it and Batman: The Animated Series.

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Other media

Two Flash web-cartoons were available on the WB website, which featured characters from the DCAU, voiced by their original actors.

Related Topics:
Flash - Web-cartoon

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Gotham Girls (Batgirl and Detective Montoya up against Gotham's female villains - ran for 3 seasons) and the adult-oriented Lobo (one season). As can be expected, the animation wasn't up to par with the television shows, however these webtoons are very entertaining and officially part of the DCAU canon. Sadly, neither show is available on DVD as of this writing.

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Many of the DCAU shows have also had comic books created based on the characters of the shows, however Bruce Timm has declared them all non-canon.

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Inconsistencies

The shows within the universe have had mostly consistent continuity over the years thanks to Bruce Timm's iron grip. Fans were initially concerned that Kyle Rayner appeared in Superman: The Animated Series, which took place before the first episode of Justice League, whereas John Stewart was Green Lantern from day one of the Justice League series. But it was later revealed that both Green Lanterns existed, not unlike the situation in the comic book DC universe, and that Kyle Rayner is, for reasons left to the imagination, on the planet Oa (Home planet of the Guardians of the Universe, who commission the Green Lanterns) and is not permitted to return for now. The implication, however, is that Rayner has been off training in space with Katma Tui on Stewart's request, as she is the same person who trained him. In "The Return", Stewart, Rayner, and the Guardians discuss the possibility of having the two of them trade places, which implies that Rayner is done with his training and now is merely serving a different sector than 2814 (the one that includes Earth, currently Stewart's domain).

Related Topics:
Kyle Rayner - Katma Tui

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Additionally, Wonder Woman made her debut in Justice League as a freshman superhero taking her first peek at man's world, despite having been referenced in Superman: The Animated Series. The continuity-slasher is a throwaway line from Lois in "Blasts from the Past", who sarcastically mutters to herself, "Yeah, and I'm Wonder Woman," in response to the Kryptonian criminal Mala's insistence that she'll abide by Superman's example. Unlike the Rayner/Stewart fracas, which has been clarified over the course of various episodes, this small dialogue gaffe will probably remain just that, however it should be pointed out that a Justice League time-travel episode (A Savage Time) takes place in the 1940's when Superman, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkgirl and Wonder Woman went back in time and history recorded them helping the allies fight Vandal Savage's Nazi forces.

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By far the Batman TAS has had alot of changes than any other show of the DCAU on air. For one thing, there is no Jason Todd but we are treated to a revamped Tim Drake. Secondly, the Joker's death is shown to be the result of Robin shooting him(ROTJ). Many character changes are made for the Joker and Batman. Batman Beyond is a completely different show resembling nothing in the comics is shown.

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