Line #47 WesternAnimation/DCAnimatedMovieUniverse


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4	The DC Animated Movie Universe is a SharedUniverse that exists as part of the WesternAnimation/DCUniverseAnimatedOriginalMovies line starting in 2014. All movies in the line, which itself started in 2007, originally existed in their own continuity. But due to a desire to create a shared setting that mirrors the comics, movies set in this universe have become increasingly common.
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6	This continuity has yet to receive an official name, so [[FanNickname we're giving it one for convenience.]] The first few films were sometimes nicknamed the "Animated ComicBook/New52 Universe" or something similar because of the heavy influence from said comics. But as further films were made, they were allowed greater freedom to adapt other DC eras like ''ComicBook/PostCrisis'' and ''ComicBook/DCRebirth'', as well as add original ideas. This has allowed the films to avoid being an UnintentionalPeriodPiece for the now-superseded New 52, and to create a unique mythos of their own.
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8	In many ways, it's the DarkerAndEdgier SpiritualSuccessor to the Franchise/DCAnimatedUniverse, being that it's also a shared universe with a colorful art style, epic plots, top of the line voice talent, and a mix of both comic accuracy with original storytelling. That said, because it's direct-to-video, it doesn't have to cater to [[ExecutiveMeddling basic cable or network television standards]]. This means, like many other titles in the wider Animated Original Movies line, the films feature intense and graphic violence, frequent uses of swearing, an increased focus on sensuality, and the exploration of themes darker than what could ever be done on children's television or even some of DC's general audience works.
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10	This universe's story officially finished in 2020's ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueDarkApokolipsWar'', a PostApocalyptic CrisisCrossover. However, the trailer for the 2022 DC Showcase short film ''WesternAnimation/DCShowcaseConstantineTheHouseOfMystery'' confirms that it is set after the events of that film for Constantine. It was succeeded by what we're calling the WesternAnimation/{{Tomorrowverse}}, another sub-series to the DCUAOM which began with the 2020 film ''WesternAnimation/SupermanManOfTomorrow''. It would later get a revival of sorts in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueCrisisOnInfiniteEarths'', where the DCAMU version of ComicBook/JohnConstantine is made into that movie's equivalent to Pariah.
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12	!!Works set in the DC Animated Movie Universe include:
13	[[index]]
14	* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueTheFlashpointParadox'' (July 2013): A prologue of sorts. This is what is considered to have started the universe, though it is only teased at the end.
15	* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueWar'' (February 2014): At the time of its release it was the first movie in this continuity, however, ''Suicide Squad Hell to Pay'' would later establish the earlier ''Flashpoint Paradox'' as being in the first movie set within this universe.
16	* ''WesternAnimation/SonOfBatman'' (April 2014)
17	* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueThroneOfAtlantis'' (January 2015)
18	** ''Nightwing & Robin'' (2015): An animated short that takes place during ''Throne of Atlantis'', acting as a teaser for ''Batman vs Robin''.
19	* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanVsRobin'' (April 2015)
20	* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanBadBlood'' (January 2016)
21	* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueVsTeenTitans'' (March 2016)
22	* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueDark'' (January 2017)
23	* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansTheJudasContract'' (April 2017)
24	* ''WesternAnimation/SuicideSquadHellToPay'' (March 2018)
25	** ''[[ComicBook/SuicideSquadHellToPay Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay]]'' (2018): A tie-in comic that takes place after the film. It also establishes that it [[{{Prequel}} takes place prior]] to ''Justice League Dark''.
26	* ''WesternAnimation/TheDeathOfSuperman'' (July 2018)
27	** ''The Death of Superman: The Wake'' (2018): A tie-in comic exploring events before, during and after the climatic battle with Doomsday.
28	* ''WesternAnimation/ConstantineCityOfDemons'' (October 2018): A webseries for [[Creator/TheCW CW Seed]] spun-off from ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueDark''. According to WordOfGod it is set before ''Justice League Dark'', and acts as an origin story for the DCAMU version of Constantine.
29	* ''WesternAnimation/ReignOfTheSupermen'' (January 2019)
30	* ''WesternAnimation/BatmanHush2019'' (July 2019)
31	* ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGoVsTeenTitans'' (September 2019): A IntraFranchiseCrossover between ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Teen Titans\|2003}}'' along with other properties based on the ''Teen Titans''. The DCAMU versions of Nightwing, Starfire, Raven, Beast Boy and Cyborg appear together in this crossover, with Creator/SeanMaher reprising his role as Nightwing. Since Nightwing wears his costume from ''The Judas Contract'', this film takes place before ''Batman: Hush''.
32	* ''WesternAnimation/TheDeathAndReturnOfSuperman'' (October 2019): ''The Death of Superman'' and ''Reign of the Supermen'' released as a CompilationMovie.
33	* ''WesternAnimation/WonderWomanBloodlines'' (October 2019)
34	* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueDarkApokolipsWar'' (May 2020): The GrandFinale of this continuity.
35	** ''WesternAnimation/DCShowcaseConstantineTheHouseOfMystery'' (May 2022): A short film using a different animation style that continues John Constantine's story after ''Apokolips War''.
36	* ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueCrisisOnInfiniteEarths'' (2024): The GrandFinale of the WesternAnimation/{{Tomorrowverse}} that reveals that a peculiar old man is none other than John Constantine, transformed into the Pariah after the events of ''Constantine: The House Of Mystery'' for his part in creating a second Flashpoint.
37	[[/index]]
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39	!!The DC Animated Movie Universe provides example of:
40	* AbortedArc: Due to the universe ending with ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueDarkApokolipsWar'', many Post-Credits scenes never led to anything.
41	** ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansTheJudasContract'' has a post-credits scene promising some kind of role for Jericho.
42	** The post-credits scene of ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueThroneOfAtlantis'' with Lex Luthor meeting Orm at Belle Reve hasn't been followed up on. Specially jarring since Luthor's Legion of Doom appeared in ''WesternAnimation/JusticeLeagueVsTeenTitans'' and Orm was nowhere to be seen.
43	** ''WesternAnimation/WonderWomanBloodlines'' ended with Veronica Cale promising further villainy.
44	* AdaptedOut:
45	** Green Arrow is noticeably absent, despite his sidekick Speedy being presented as a former member of the Teen Titans.
46	** Wally West was rendered this thanks to WordOfGod retconning the Kid Flash in ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansTheJudasContract'' to ''somehow'' being Barry Allen. However, Wallace West appears in ''Apokolips War'' instead.
47	** The New Gods of New Genesis are notably missing while Darkseid has free reign. In addition most of Darkseid’s usual minions like Granny Goodness and the Female Furies are absent from his forces.
48	** The writers confirmed that the Robin identity went from Dick directly to Damian, meaning the likes of Jason Todd and Tim Drake do not exist in this continuity.
49	* AmbiguousSituation: When ''The Flashpoint Paradox'' takes place in the timeline is unknown, though since ''Hell to Pay'' acknowledges it and Batman changes his costume in ''Batman: Hush'' the film is presumably set somewhere between those two films.
50	* AnimatedAdaptation:
51	** The earlier films were mainly based on the ''ComicBook/New52''. ''War'' is an adaptation of the ''ComicBook/{{Justice League\|2011}}'' arc "Origins"; ''ComicBook/ThroneOfAtlantis'' and ''ComicBook/JusticeLeagueDark'' served as inspiration for the eponymous movies; and ''Batman Vs. Robin'' is loosely based on ''ComicBook/NightOfTheOwls''. Also the first film in this continuity was an adaption of the [[ComicBook/FlashpointDCComics storyline]] that created the ''New 52''.
52	** ''Teen Titans: The Judas Contract'', the ''Death''/''Reign'' duology and ''Batman: Hush'' are based on the [[ComicBook/TheJudasContract storylines]] [[ComicBook/TheDeathOfSuperman of the]] [[ComicBook/BatmanHush same name]].
53	** ''Apokolips War'' adapts numerous elements from ''ComicBook/DarkseidWar'', ''ComicBook/FinalCrisis'' and ''[[Comicbook/TheNew52FuturesEnd Futures End]]''.
54	* ArtShiftedSequel: ''Bloodlines'' and ''The House of Mystery'' use a different art style to the other films.
55	* BittersweetEnding: Almost bordering on DownerEnding. In the GrandFinale, [[spoiler:most of the heroes are dead or crippled and Earth was left near-inhospitable during the Apokolips invasion and later occupation. Because of this, Constantine tells Flash to go back in time and prevent the entire tragedy from ever happening. However, they know that this will reboot the entire timeline, just like what happened in ''The Flashpoint Paradox'', meaning that the resulting reality will be completely different from the one they remember. The movie ends with Flash entering the Speed Force once again, with the surviving heroes watching on as everything fades to white.]]
56	** In ''The House of Mystery'' [[spoiler:it is revealed that Constantine is being punished for trying to guide Flash on what changes he should make to avoid Darkseid returning instead of simply creating a random Flashpoint. The Flash's status is left unknown, but Nergal from ''City of Demons'' is revealed to be alive again suggesting that a new timeline had been created]].
57	* BookEnds: [[spoiler:This continuity began and ended with The Flash going back in time to create a new timeline, albeit at first for selfish reasons, and the second time for noble ones. Likewise, this universe's version of the League's first and final adventures involved Darkseid.]]
58	* BroadStrokes:
59	** ''Flashpoint Paradox'' was always considered to be the prologue to this line of films despite having little in common with animation, story and voice actors, but the timing of the release plus the CosmicRetcon that was hinted at made it feel natural. It wasn't until ''Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay'' that made this official (four years later) with a returning character, and a subplot discussing Flash having created the Flashpoint universe in later movies.
60	** The appearance of the Teen Titans in ''Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans'' has elements of this, since it includes Cyborg as part of the team while neither Damian or Blue Beetle appear so the team matches the versions from the 2003 and 2013 cartoons. Cyborg also shows abilities he doesn't have in the main films and nobody mentions this adventure in the films.
61	* ComicBookTime: Averted, as while dates in newspapers are inconsistent and the little information given by characters doesn't help in making a clear timeline, unlike in the comics time does pass as shown with Damian who sounds older as his voice actor ages. While Damian is ten years old in ''Son of Batman'' he's clearly in his mid to late teens by ''Apokolips War'' even before the two year TimeSkip, so it can be assumed that InUniverse six to eight years passed between the first film and the start of ''Apokolips War''. The commentary of ''Apokolips War'' has James Tucker admit that while he isn't strict on continuity, Damian was definitely at least sixteen which supports this idea.
62	* DarkerAndEdgier: The DCAMU is what happens when the DCAU isn't held back by censors and the creators take full advantage of that. Four of the franchise's movies (''Dark'', ''Hell to Pay'', ''City of Demons'' and ''Apokolips War'') are "R"-rated and are far more violent and gory than any previous DC animation. In fact, this series took and managed to ensure it'd keep the crown as this from ''WesternAnimation/BatmanTheDarkKnightReturns'' (which itself took the crown from ''WesternAnimation/BatmanUnderTheRedHood'').
63	* DevilButNoGod: [[GodOfEvil Darkseid]] and the New Gods of Apokolips are very much a major power, but his good counterpart [[GodOfGood Highfather]] and the gods of New Genesis are glaringly absent from this universe with Darkseid having free reign.
64	* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: ''The Flashpoint Paradox'' uses a different art style and voice cast to the rest of the DCAMU, while most of the voice cast in ''War'' was replaced for ''Throne of Atlantis''.
65	* EverybodyDiesEnding: [[spoiler:Everyone except the Flash, and apparently Constantine in ''The House of Mystery'', is killed due to the DCAMU timeline being erased and replaced. Before that many characters were killed due to Darkseid's invasion in ''Apokolips War''.]]
66	* FantasyKitchenSink: Like the main DC universe the DCAMU is home to superheroes, aliens, supernatural beings from different mythologies and magic users. This is best shown in ''Apokolips War'', where the most useful heroes in the final fight against the alien Darkseid are the magic heroes such as Constantine and Raven.
67	* GrandFinale: ''Apokolips War'' is the final film in the franchise. It reunites almost every character from across all films in a final battle against Darkseid's forces.
68	* GrowingWithTheAudience: The films are popular with fans of the DCAU, who've now grown as adults, given it's a similar universe with mature themes to match.
69	* HotterAndSexier: Not that the DCAU didn't have its moments, but when there's no censors... it leads to female characters being bustier and curvier, and more {{Fanservice}} scenes that wouldn't had never been allowed in the DCAU.
70	* TheMultiverse: ''WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGoVsTeenTitans'' reveals the DCAMU exists in one largely populated by variations of the Teen Titans such as [[WesternAnimation/TeenTitansGo both anima]][[WesternAnimation/TeenTitans ted versions]], the ''ComicBook/TinyTitans'' comics and ''[[ComicBook/TeenTitans The New Teen Titans]]'' comics. [[spoiler:Since every character except the Flash and Constantine was either killed or erased when the timeline was reset in ''Apokolips War'', they all count as an example of DeadAlternateCounterpart.]]
71	* OnlySixFaces: Every human and human-adjacent character has almost identical looks.
72	* {{Prequel}}: ''City of Demons'' is [[WordOfGod confirmed]] to be an origin story for Constantine and therefore a prequel to his appearance in ''Dark'', while the tie-in comic [[{{Retcon}} revealed]] that ''Hell to Pay'' also takes place before ''Dark''.
73	* SharedUniverse: These films, along with the two shorts and comics, are all in-continuity with each other.
74	* ShootTheShaggyDog: [[spoiler:The entire story ends with Flash going back in time to prevent Darkseid's second invasion and the decimation of Earth. However, this will inevitably cause the entire timeline to change just like what happened after the ''Flashpoint Paradox''. The only light at the end of the tunnel is the fresh start this DC Universe will receive once the timeline resets.]]
75	* SpotlightStealingSquad: Earlier movies placed a huge focus on Batman, and often Damian. This is lessened in later movies, which branched out to other characters once proven successful.
76	* TheStinger: As is customary for shared superhero movie universes, some of these films have a post-credits scene which floats a possibility for a future film or briefly expands on the consequences of this film's conclusion. ''The Flashpoint Paradox''[='=]s show Parademons flying out of a Boom Tube, leading into ''War''; ''War'' seeing Ocean Master declaring war against the "surface dwellers", leading into ''Throne of Atlantis''; ''[=JLvTT=]'' seeing Terra arrive at Titans Tower, setting up ''The Judas Contract''; and ''Reign'' seeing the League plan to fight Darkseid, leading into ''Apokolips War''. The items in "Aborted Arc" were also in stingers.

Context WesternAnimation / DCAnimatedMovieUniverse