I finally picked up the final volume of Batman: The Animated Series the other day (volume 4) and started thinking about where I would go next. If you’re not familiar with the Bruce Timm universe (also refered to as the DC animated universe, or the DCAU), you may not realize just how many shows he’s responsible for, and that he and his staff are so good at establishing and recognizing their own continuity that every series is considered to be in the same canon; all of these shows have crossovers into the others. There are 14 years of continuity, starting with Batman: TAS in 1992 and ending with Justice League Unlimited in 2006.

Being the big sucker I am for complex, long-spanning continuity (Star Trek, Buffy/Angel, etc.) I eventually want to pick up every DVD box set in the DCAU. In case you didn’t know just how much of this canon existed or didn’t even realize it went beyond Batman: TAS, I thought I’d post a list of every show and available DVD box set, to give you a sense of just how much you’ll have to spend and how much shelf space you’ll need to clear if you want to embark on the same journey as I am. Bruce Timm revolutionized animation and story telling in the medium, and though Batman: TAS remains the best show in the canon (in my opinion) the others are certainly worth watching as well.

Batman: The Animated Series

There are four volumes. The fourth is actually a second Batman “series” (originally broadcast in “The New Batman/Superman Adventures”) that takes place in the same continuity and with the same voice actors, but the visual style is updated and it’s set two years later in order to focus on Batman’s partners, so Dick Grayson is now Nightwing and Tim Drake is the new Robin; Batgirl is also a series regular, when she only occasionally appeared previously, and not until the third volume.

Superman: The Animated Series

The Superman animated series came after the original run of Batman. The final season includes some crossover episodes with Batman, including the three-part “Batman/Superman World’s Finest” episode, also available as a DVD movie.

Batman Beyond

Here’s an idea that I immediately bocked at when I first heard about it back in the 90s, but it turned out to be in the same vein as Batman: TAS. Yeah, it’s futuristic and a new guy in the Batman suit, but Bruce Wayne, though an old man, is still calling the shots, and it’s as much about him as it is about Terry. If you watched Batman: TAS but didn’t give Beyond a chance, I advise you to take a chance on it.

Justice League

This is the next logical step after the Batman and Superman shows. Batman and Superman finally in a regular series together, with Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawk Girl, and Martian Manhunter. It’s a different dynamic with an ensemble cast and a wider array of villains but it definately holds true to its roots.

Justice League Unlimited

Similar to “The New Batman Adventures,” this is the same show with a new title. The theme for the final two seasons is basically to see how many of DC’s superheroes could be brought into a single show. There are tons and tons of guest characters, a lot of previously-unseen heroes getting their own episodes. I’ve seen very few of these, but some have complained that so many characters bogged stories down a bit. However, I’ve also heard that the end of the final season has a pretty extensive plot arc to wrap up the series. This is the final show made for the DCAU.

There are two lesser-known shows that are also part of the DCAU, made around the time of the Batman revamp episodes and then Batman Beyond. Static Shock was an original character that Bruce Timm gave his own series. I have never seen it, but I do know that while it was originally a stand-alone show, later epiodes have crossovers with other heroes and villains from the DCAU. It lasted for four seasons but so far only one volume has been released. The other is The Zeta Project, a series about a sentient robot and a spin-off of Batman Beyond (another show I’ve never seen). It ran for two seasons and has yet to be released on DVD.

Movies 

There have also been a number of stand-alone, animated movies in the Bruce Timm universe. The first, and most popular, was the excellent Batman: Mask of the Phantasm from 1993. The most noted next to it is Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker.

Gotham Girls

There is also a three-season series of web shorts made in flash animation starring the ladies of Gotham called Gotham Girls, which ended in 2002. They can still be viewed online, and were also included as an extra on the Birds of Prey boxset just this year. I’ve watched these– they’re mostly comedic shorts and I found them to be a little too silly, but the third season is a big arc and more serious, so it’s worth watching.

Since 2006, Bruce Timm has been producing direct-to-video DVDs for DC, mostly based on graphic novels. These are all completely contained continuities and not part of the DCAU. So far, they’ve been very good and worth watching (with the exception of the most recent Batman Gotham Knight, which I’ve reviewed here). The other two are Superman: Doomsday and Justice League New Frontier.

This is obviously a lot of television to try and buy, but if you’re adventureous, most of it’s out there now. All of these available boxsets can be found on Amazon.com, Suncoast, Hastings, and your local Target or Wal-Mart stores may still carry at least some of the Justice League Unlimited sets, since they were the most recenly released. I’ve been buying mine for between $20 and $30 apiece. If you just want to see some of these episodes, they’re all available for rent on Netflix. Good hunting!

LLAP

-Cap’n Logan

WARNING SPOILERS

Walking into the theater I expected to see a really cute movie with your typical moral points directed at the younger members of the audience. All of that is included and so much more.

The character Wall-E is a small trash compacting robot that is the last known operating unit of its kind on Earth. Wall-E existed so long that for some reason he developed a personality, and so the isolation makes him extremely lonely.This is pretty apparent within the first five minutes of the movie. During the first half we learn that humanity has let the earth become so full of trash that they that they have to leave on a spaceship with the intent of leaving the Wall-E units to clean up during their departure. Throughout the movie we’re given tons of back-story, which can sometimes get cumbersome, but it really adds to the mystery. Unfortunately, the big mysteries in the movie are easily foreseen. This isn’t so bad considering it is a children’s movie. While the reveals of those mysteries aren’t surprising, they are satisfying.

The animation is fantastic. They were even able to successfully use some live action scenes, and make it seem believable.

Wall-E the character is exactly what he needs to be: small, cute and loveable. He’s a robot of few words which makes sense considering he’s not programmed to process information verbally. It’s admirable to see a movie so scant on words (at least for the first half). A lot of the jokes are reminiscent of old physical comedy cartoons or even silent movies.

The big surprise is in the movie’s social awareness. It breaks away from Pixar’s normal endeavor which actually is a really cute movie with your typical moral points directed at the younger members of the audience. Wall-E creates a condemning representation of Wal-Mart which in the movie is called Buy N Large. It is possible that the Buy N Large isn’t necessarily supposed to be Wal-Mart, but with the parallels between its image and Wally Word’s I think it is the most obvious target. C’mon, the major character’s name is Wall-E. How could it not be directed at Wall-Mart? As we follow Wall E through the movie, during the terrestrial parts, we see a very Wall-Mart-like retail store, and quite a few billboards that all send the message that Wall-Mart/Buy N Large is buying the world. The major string of social commentary is on the overall future of man kind, showing an existence of fat ignorant humans. With obesity on the rise, Wall E’s images should hit pretty close to home for most people in some fashion or another. The sloth-ish nature of humans in this movie could be a jab at Wall-Mart as well, considering that it’s Wall-Mart’s intent to make merchandise cheaper, and therefore accessible to the point that people don’t have to work hard enough to deserve it. It’s a grim portrayal of the future, but all is not lost. Wall-E gives props to the human spirit.

The Verdict: Ladies and Gentlemen, this is a must-see for the whole family. This movie is quite an experience from beginning to end. I urge you not to miss it.

-Vince