DC Animated Universe (1992 - 2014): 15

A short film Batman Beyond (2014) pays tribute to the 75th anniversary of Batman by drawing inspiration from Darwyn Cooke’s version. The original voice cast from the show is included, along with appearances by robotic batmen from various adaptations such as The New Batman Adventures, The Batman, and Beware the Batman. In addition, iconic versions of Batman portrayed by Michael Keaton, Adam West, and the original comic book iteration from 1939 also make brief cameos. Terry flies into the Batcave to find ...

Justice League Unlimited (2004–2006) is an American superhero animated television series produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network. Boasting a diverse cast of superheroes from the DC Comics universe, it serves as a direct sequel to the previous Justice League series, picking up two years later. As the eighth and final installment of the DC Animated Universe, it brings this shared universe to a close, which began with Batman: The Animated Series. Impressively, JLU is the most continuity-heavy show in this universe, seamlessly combining characters and storylines from previous series. Similar to its second season ...

Chase Me (2003) is an animated short film, based on the series The New Batman Adventures. It was included as a bonus feature on the DVD for Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman and was produced by Warner Bros. Animation. During a party at Wayne Enterprises, Bruce Wayne takes a break from gazing out the window to join three lovely ladies on the dance floor. But his butler Alfred quickly rescues him and Bruce escapes to his office via elevator. Much to his surprise, he finds Catwoman robbing his safe. In a rush, she pins him against the wall before making her getaway. However, Bruce manages to free himself and transforms into Batman to pursue her across the ...

In an animated film Batman: Mystery of the Batwoman (2003), produced by Warner Bros. Animation, Batman and Robin are faced with a new mystery. A mysterious female hero known as Batwoman has appeared in their city, and her true identity is unknown. Despite her claims to fight for justice, Batwoman goes against Batman’s moral code by using lethal force. As Penguin and Rupert Thorne attempt to sell illegal weapons to Kasnia, they enlist Carlton Duquesne for protection. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne develops a romantic relationship with Kathy Duquesne, the daughter of the crime boss. As Batman tries to uncover Batwoman’s true identity and prevent her from making ...

The American animated TV show Justice League (2001–2004) aired on Cartoon Network from November 17, 2001, to May 29, 2004, and was produced by Warner Bros. Animation. It is based on characters from DC Comics’ Justice League of America and serves as both a sequel to Batman: The Animated Series and Superman: The Animated Series, as well as a prequel to Batman Beyond. The show is the seventh in the DC Animated Universe. While most characters remained true to their comic book origins, there were some changes. For example, in the premiere story arc ‘Secret Origins’, Diana competes against her fellow Amazons for ...

The Zeta Project (2001–2002), an American science fiction animated series by Warner Bros. Animation, debuted on Kids’ WB in January 2001. It’s the sixth installment in the DC Animated Universe and is centered around the character Zeta from a Batman Beyond episode of the same name. Drawing inspiration from Frankenstein, Blade Runner, and The Fugitive, the show follows Zeta and Ro as they work to clear his name. Hunted by NSA agents who believe he has been reprogrammed by terrorists, Zeta and Ro search for his elusive creator, Dr. Selig. Originally imagined as a darker series, The Zeta Project was instead ...

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000), an American superhero film, was produced and distributed by Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment respectively. As the third installment in the DC Animated Universe, it draws from the animated series Batman Beyond and also resolves plot points left open in The New Batman Adventures. A new faction of the Jokerz gang – including Bonk, Woof, Ghoul, Chucko, and the Dee-Dee twins – tries to steal advanced technology but is stopped by Terry McGinnis, who has taken on the role of Batman under the guidance of his predecessor Bruce Wayne. The gang reports back to their ...

The American superhero animated series, Static Shock (2000–2004), was based on the Milestone Media/DC Comics character of the same name. It tackled various social issues, earning praise from television critics. The show even received a Daytime Emmy nomination. However, there were some negative critiques regarding its humor and animation style being perceived as awkward and outdated. Although the series did release merchandise, it unfortunately did not sell well and was cancelled due to low sales, according to creator McDuffie. Despite this setback, the show’s success sparked renewed interest in the original comic ...

Batman Beyond (1999–2001) is an American superhero animated television series based on the DC Comics character of Batman. The story takes place in the then-distant year of 2019. An aging Bruce Wayne, despite being in his 50s, continues to fight crime as Batman in a new high-tech Batsuit. However, he now struggles with criminals who were once easily subdued and no longer fear him due to his loss of mystique. During what was meant to be a routine mission to rescue heiress Bunny Vreeland, daughter of Veronica Vreeland, Batman suffers a mild heart attack. He is then forced to defend himself against one of the kidnappers by using a gun, causing him great shame. Knowing his ...

In Batman & Mr. Freeze: SubZero (1997), an animated superhero film and the second based on Batman: The Animated Series, the story unfolds between the end of the show and the start of The New Batman Adventures. After his last encounter with Batman, Victor Fries has taken up residence in an Arctic cave with his newly adopted Inuit son, Koonak, and polar bears Notchka and Shaka. While Fries continues to search for a cure for his wife Nora’s illness, she remains in her cryogenic chamber. However, when a research submarine accidentally shatters Nora’s containment vessel, she begins to deteriorate rapidly. Fueled by desperation to save his ...

The New Batman Adventures (1997–1999) is an American animated superhero TV series based on DC Comics’ Batman, which aired on Kids’ WB from September 13, 1997 to January 16, 1999. Created by Warner Bros. Animation, it serves as a continuation of Batman: The Animated Series (1992-1995) and the third installment in the DC Animated Universe. It was succeeded by Batman Beyond (1999-2001). The show underwent a revamp, featuring a new streamlined art style to ensure consistent animation and maintain consistency with Superman: The Animated Series (1996-2000). This also resulted in changes to Batman’s appearance – he ...

Superman: The Animated Series (1996–2000) is a well-known American animated show based on the iconic DC Comics character. Produced by Warner Bros. Animation, it first aired on Kids’ WB from 1996 to 2000. This series was part of the larger DC Animated Universe, along with other beloved shows like Batman: The Animated Series. It has received high praise for its exceptional writing, voice work, maturity, and fresh take on Superman’s comic-book world. Honoring both the classic Superman we all know and love and the revamped version introduced in the 1986 comics reboot, this animated series beautifully blended old and new elements. For example, ...

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993), an American animated romantic superhero film based on the DC Comics character Batman, follows Bruce Wayne as he begins his crime-fighting journey. While visiting their parents’ graves, Bruce meets Andrea Beaumont who is also visiting her mother’s grave. They start a relationship and Bruce learns about his first attempt at fighting crime. However, after foiling a truck hijacking and realizing that criminals aren’t afraid of him, Bruce becomes conflicted with how he should honor his parents’ memory; whether to continue crime-fighting or settle down and marry like they wished. He proposes to Andrea and she ...

Batman: The Animated Series (1992–1995) is an American animated superhero TV show based on the DC Comics character. Created by Bruce Timm and Eric Radomski and produced by Warner Bros. Animation, it originally aired on Fox Kids from 1992 to 1995 with a total of 85 episodes. The series drew inspiration from Tim Burton’s live-action Batman films and the acclaimed Superman theatrical cartoons produced by Fleischer Studios in the 1940s. In order to capture the ‘otherworldly timelessness’ seen in

A short film, The Dark Knight’s First Night (1992), served as the pilot for Batman: Animated Series. Armed men stand watch while a third figure carrying a box trips and spills jewels from the top floor of a building. As they attempt to clean up the mess, a bat-shaped shadow passes over them, startling them into drawing their guns. While they focus on the skies, the third thief is swiftly taken down by a mysterious bat-like figure with one powerful punch. The remaining thieves fire at their attacker but he evades each bullet with ease. He then takes the offensive and brings them both to the ground. One of the criminals ...