Justice League Unlimited

The DC Animated Universe (DCAU for short) comprises of the shared continuity between a series of DC Comics-based animated series and inspired projects, which kicked off in 1992 with Batman: The Animated Series. Sometimes referred to also as the “Timmverse” or “Diniverse” – due to the fan-favorite contributions of creators Bruce Timm and Paul Dini – the DCAU covers an expansive universe featuring reoccurring characters, plot and story elements, designs and esthetic choices, along with creators, cast and crew members. In short, it encompasses a host of animated series, movies, comics, etc., the stories of which all inhabit the same fictional universe and continuity.

After being loosely established in Batman: The Animated Series, the DCAU – the term actually coined right here at The World’s Finest by fans which the creators behind these series adopted as the official moniker for these animated shows – started to truly form with Superman: The Animated Series. Not only was it established early on in the series’ production that it would share the same universe as Batman: The Animated Series, but Superman: The Animated Series offered the first true glimpse of the expanding universe following team-ups with not only Batman (the same iteration of the character from Batman: The Animated Series), but also a host of other DC Comics super-heroes. This series would also prove to be crucial in later DCAU series, including Justice League. From Superman: The Animated Series, additional series taking place in the same continuity, including the likes of Batman Beyond and Static Shock, started to roll out.

While Justice League Unlimited was the last regular animated series to air which took place within DCAU continuity, wrapping in 2006, there have since been a host of animated and comic book-based projects since keeping the universe alive. This includes animated features, such as Justice League vs. The Fatal Five, and comic books, including Batman: The Adventures Continue, among other similar releases.

Outside of Timm and Dini, other key creators behind the DC Animated Universe include Alan Burnett, Dwayne McDuffie, Butch Lukic, Eric Radomski, Boyd Kirkland, Andrea Romano, Shirley Walker, and the Dynamic Music Partners. Noteworthy contributors also include famed comic talents Darwyn Cooke (responsible for the Batman Beyond opening credits), J.M. DeMatteis, Mark Evanier, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Gerry Conway and Dennis O’Neil. Just as impactful to the success of the DCAU were the voice actors. Each series boasting an impressive array of talent in front of mic, with countless actors forever considered as turning in iconic portrayals in their respective roles. Central performers include Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Loren Lester, Tara Strong, Tim Daly, George Newbern, Susan Eisenberg, Phil LaMarr, Carl Lumbly, Michael Rosenbaum, Maria Canals-Barrera, Will Friedle, Clancy Brown, Dana Delany, Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Michael Ironside, Corey Burton, and Diedrach Bader, among many others.

Though what exactly falls under the DCAU banner is occasionally up for debate among fans, the following animated series listed below (and their respective animated movie spin-offs and animated shorts) are considered unequivocally as taking place within the shared universe:

Batman: The Animated Series

Superman: The Animated Series

Batman Beyond

Static Shock

The Zeta Project

Gotham Girls

Justice League

Justice League Unlimited

Continuing, while the majority of DCAU-based spin-off materials – video games, comic books, and other offshoot media – are considered to be in-continuity, any time they conflict with major plot-points and events from the main DCAU animated series listed above, they are then considered out-of-continuity. Along those lines, there is also assorted content available which uses DCAU character designs but are not in continuity – such as the Superman: Brainiac Attacks animated feature, the Lobo web-series, and the assorted Batman Beyond (and related) comic titles starting from 2010 to current day, for example.

On a similar note, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation have produced other acclaimed and fan-beloved animated series and content over the years inspired by the publisher’s library of characters – including Teen Titans, The Batman, Young Justice and many others – which do not take place within the DC Animated Universe. These “DC Animated Series” tend to feature their own unique spin on established DC Comics characters and classic storylines, all inhabiting their own unique continuities.

The DC Animated Universe is vast, encompassing hundreds of episodes and adventures. To learn more about the DC Animated Universe, simply check out the assorted animated series subsites (linked above) which make up this shared universe! Each dedicated site includes episode guides, reviews, media, exclusive interviews and content, plus a host of production and rare behind-the-scenes materials. And to help start off one’s journey into the DC Animated Universe, check out the watchlists below, featuring the assorted series broken down in both chronological and production order: