TAGGED AS: Animation, DC Universe
(Photo by DC Universe)
Within the pages of magazines published by DC Comics, the universe inhabited by Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Justice League is a vast multiverse of various timelines, multitudes of characters, and some of the most beloved comic book icons of all time. And the upcoming DC Universe streaming service promises to reveal that multiverse to its fans in a whole new way.
Announcing beta access sign-up at dcuniverse.com, the service revealed today that DC Universe will be a mix of new television shows, classic filmed content like the original Superman, and a storehouse of some of DC’s greatest comic books. The service will also feature breaking news, a DC-centric encyclopedia, access to exclusive merchandise, and a community area to connect with other fans, earn rewards, and enter sweepstakes and contests.
(Photo by DC Universe)
The centerpiece, of course, will be its new television show offerings like the upcoming Titans live-action series, starring Brenton Thwaites (pictured) as Dick Grayson (aka Robin), and the 2019 additions of Doom Patrol and Swamp Thing. New animated series include a third season of Young Justice and a brand new Harley Quinn series, also due in 2019.
Here are the shows’ official descriptions:
Titans follows young heroes from across the DC Universe as they come of age and find belonging in a gritty take on the classic Teen Titans franchise. Dick Grayson and Rachel Roth, a special young girl possessed by a strange darkness, get embroiled in a conspiracy that could bring Hell on Earth. Joining them along the way are the hot-headed Starfire and loveable Beast Boy. Together they become a surrogate family and team of heroes.
Doom Patrol is a reimagining of one of DC’s strangest group of outcasts: Robotman, Negative Man, Elasti-Woman and Crazy Jane. Led by the mysterious Dr. Niles Caulder they’re called into action by the ultimate hero for the digital age, Cyborg. Banding together these rejects find themselves on a mission that will take them to the weirdest and most unexpected corners of the DC universe.
Swamp Thing follows Abby Arcane as she investigates what seems to be a deadly swamp-born virus in a small town in Louisiana but soon discovers that the swamp holds mystical and terrifying secrets. When unexplainable and chilling horrors emerge from the murky marsh, no one is safe.
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Young Justice: Outsiders features the return of the fan favorite animated series with a huge cast of DC’s most iconic young superheroes – plus brand-new characters, many of whom are just discovering their unique meta-powers and special abilities. Set against the backdrop of a rich, deep world that touches all corners of the DC universe, the season focuses on meta–trafficking, and an intergalactic arms race for control of these super–powered youths.
Harley Quinn follows Harley’s adventures after she breaks up with the Joker and strikes out on her own in this new adult animated comedy. With the help of Poison Ivy and a ragtag crew of DC castoffs, Harley tries to earn a seat at the biggest table in villainy: the Legion of Doom.
As Titans will be the only new content to be available near launch, the service will also feature some key classic DC content like the first four Superman films, The Dark Knight, and the 1940s Superman animated shorts from the Max Fleischer Studios.
(Photo by DC Universe)
On the TV side of things, the first two seasons of Batman: The Animated Series and the original Wonder Woman series will be newly remastered in High Definition – a definite boon to anyone who finds the DVDs of either show a little lacking.
Fans of animated programs like Batman Beyond or Legion of Superheroes and live-action series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Constantine and Birds of Prey will be happy to know DC Universe will provide those programs with a new streaming home. It will also features programs long-missing from streaming services like the 1950s Adventures of Superman and Superfriends.
(Photo by DC Universe)
But film and television is only half of the story.
“DC Universe is so much more than a streaming service,” said Jim Lee, DC Entertainment’s chief creative officer and publisher, in a statement. “It’s a welcoming place for everyone to immerse themselves in their own level of DC fandom, with the epic characters, stories, and experiences they have come to expect from DC.”
Beyond its film and television offerings, the service will also offer a “curated selection” of DC’s 80-plus year library of comic book titles. Among the thousands of stories coming to service will be the first Superman and Batman stories from Action Comics #1 and Detective Comics #27 and more recent Justice League and Swamp Things tales from writers like Geoff Johns and Scott Snyder.
As Lee put it, “Nothing this robust has ever been offered to fans before.”
(Photo by DC Universe)
The service will also offer community features and chances to win specially crafted prizes. It will also be home to an “ever-expanding” DC encyclopedia of its characters, places and timelines, and, of course, offer some exclusive merchandise available to DC Universe subscribers.
The services will be available on a variety of platforms including iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and via the web when it launches this Fall. In the meantime, DC Universe will be offering a beta access experience in August to collect feedback on the platform from fans. To sign up for access, head over to dcuniverse.com for more details.
(Photo by DC Universe)
