Can't tell your BTAS from your TNBA? I've got your back.
As I’ve been writing essays for this website specifically related to the DCAU, it occurs to me that I may have some newcomers who may not recognize some of the terminology and abbreviations that I’ve been throwing around. In addition, there may be a question of scope, as some may wonder what counts as DCAU continuity and what does not. Anyway, I’ve set up an introduction to the DCAU, specifically what it is and what its boundaries are.
Simply put, the DC Animated Universe (or DCAU) is a colloquial term for a series of animated television shows that started airing in September 1992 and “ended” in May 2006 (the quotation marks will be explained later). It is similar to how we refer to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the MCU. The common thread of these shows are the similar creative teams, as well as the presence of Bruce Timm as executive producer (and the originator of the art style used) and the late Kevin Conroy as the voice of Batman. They contain the following:
Batman: The Animated Series, which featured 85 episodes and aired from September 1992 to September 1995 on Fox Kids (see opening sequence here). Often abbreviated as BTAS, the series was notable for its timeless, 1940s-ish visual aesthetic and use of black paper for the show’s painted backgrounds, dubbed "Dark Deco" by the creative team. It is worth mentioning that, after the initial 65 episode run, the series was rebranded as The Adventures of Batman & Robin for the final twenty (see opening sequence here), but don’t worry about it. History lumps it all together as BTAS, and so do I.
Superman: The Animated Series, which featured 54 episodes and aired from September 1996 to February 2000 on Kids’ WB! Often abbreviated as STAS, the series took lessons learned from BTAS, as the art team provided the show’s characters with a streamlined, almost minimalist look lacking the bulges and wrinkles from the BTAS designs. In the beginning, the show was intermittently called Superman as well as STAS but, again, history decided on the latter. See opening sequence here.
The New Batman Adventures, which featured 24 episodes and aired from September 1997 to January 1999 on Kids’ WB! Created to “freshen the package” when Batman’s rights returned to Warner Bros., this series—often abbreviated as TNBA—was a continuation of BTAS while, at the same time, redesigned to match the artistic sensibilities of STAS. Unlike BTAS, this show was more kid-oriented, featuring less solo crimefighting and moody crime drama and more youthful sidekicks and gaudy supervillainy. Regardless, TNBA is often lumped together with BTAS in both DVD / Blu-ray and on digital platforms. An early considered title was Batman: Gotham Knights.
While both Superman: The Animated Series and The New Batman Adventures were technically considered two separate shows, they were packaged together as The New Batman / Superman Adventures on Kids’ WB! (see opening sequence here). Back to the list…
Batman Beyond, which featured 52 episodes and aired from January 1999 to April 2001 on Kids’ WB!; though the final episode, “Unmasked,” was aired on Cartoon Network in December 2001 (this was due to the episode being pulled from the schedule due to sensitivity issues following the September 11th attacks, as the episode was to premiere that week; Allstetter). Originally titled Batman Tomorrow, the series skipped ahead forty to fifty years to a cyberpunk future, where an elderly Bruce Wayne trains a driven young man, Terry McGinnis, to become the new Batman. See opening sequence here.
Justice League, which featured 52 episodes and aired from November 2001 to May 2004 on Cartoon Network. Returning to the present day, the series features Superman and Batman joining forces with Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, the Flash, Hawkgirl, and J’onn J’onzz—the Martian Manhunter. See opening sequence here.
Justice League Unlimited, which featured 39 episodes and aired from July 2004 to May 2006 on Cartoon Network. Often abbreviated as JLU, it is a continuation of Justice League. Here the team’s roster swells from seven heroes to over fifty, including comic book mainstays like Green Arrow and Black Canary, as well as obscure characters like B’wana Beast and the Question. Aside from that, Green Lantern shaves his head and grows a goatee, and Hawkgirl drops her costumed identity, choosing to go by her real name of Shayera Hol. See opening sequence here.
In addition to the above, there are two additional animated series that, while connected to the DCAU, feature storylines are largely independent. These include:
Static Shock, which featured 52 episodes and aired from September 2000 to May 2004 on Kids’ WB! It follows the adventures of the young superhero Static. Based on a comic book superhero from Milestone Media (which is a separate superhero universe from DC Comics), here the animated series takes place in the same universe, and multiple episodes feature crossovers with The New Batman Adventures, Superman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, and Justice League. See opening sequence here.
The Zeta Project, which featured 26 episodes and aired from January 2001 to August 2002 on Kids’ WB! Set in the futuristic world of Batman Beyond, the series follows a weaponized A.I. called Zeta who gains sentience, rejects warfare, and is on the run from the government. A spin-off series, the character originated on Beyond before getting its own show. See opening sequence here.
Now, rather than using the term DCAU, there are some who refer to this as the Timmverse (referring to the aforementioned Bruce Timm) or the Diniverse, referring to writer and former Executive Producer Paul Dini, author of the BTAS episode “Heart of Ice,” one of the series greatest episodes. While I understand the desire to honor them, such terms ignore the hard work of creatives such as Alan Burnett, Eric Radomski, Rich Fogel, Dwayne McDuffie, James Tucker, Stan Berkowitz, Andrea Romano, and others. Thus, I see DCAU as a more inclusive term.
In addition to these shows, much like Star Wars, there is also an expanded universe of comic books, video games, young adult fiction, web toons, and movies that are related either directly or indirectly to the franchise. And while there are some—like my contemporaries at the Watchtower Database—who meticulously timeline and categorize every story and detail of this material, I must admit that I play pretty fast and loose when it comes to continuity. For example, I consider the material related to Harley Quinn’s childhood in Gotham City Sirens #7 (February 2010) DCAU canon even though it takes place in the mainstream DC Universe because it was written by Paul Dini, Harley’s co-creator. Honestly, it's up to the fan whether they want to take it or leave it.
As previously stated, the DCAU officially ended in May 2006, but even that is debatable, considering the expanded universe content. For example, the 2010 original movie Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths can be considered DCAU-related because its original script was meant to be a Justice League / JLU direct-to-video that got recycled into its present form. And even if you’re not too keen on that, there can be no doubt that 2019’s Justice League Vs. The Fatal Five film is canon. And then there’s Paul Dini and Alan Burnett’s recent Batman: The Adventures Continue comic book series, featuring a continuation of both BTAS and TNBA. In truth, the DCAU only ends if you let it.
As you can obviously tell, I’m pretty passionate about this franchise, as I credit it for spiking my interest in not only superhuman fiction but writing as well. In the future, I plan on writing material for this site that discusses the DCAU in terms of historical record, literary analysis, and even geek head canon. Hopefully, this essay will serve as a basis for newcomers and a refresher course for returning fans.
Works Cited
Allstetter, Rob. “Kids’ WB! Changes for Batman Beyond, X-Men: Evolution.” Comics Continuum. Comics Continuum. 13 Sept. 2001. Web. 22 Dec. 2022. <http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0109/13/index.htm>.
Images courtesy of Warner Bros. Discovery and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
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