DCAU Continuity: Is it really a big deal?

[Beyond Batman]

All too often I see threads asking about "what time line Teen Titans is in, is it Dick or Tim, is Batman Beyond a real future or possible future, etc. Granted, continuity is necessary to keep story lines consistent, to continually build characters and their environment... in their respective genre. However, when questions arise regarding continuity crossing different formats... why is it such a big deal?

[FireWarrior]

People like to connect things, feeds the curiosity:)

[Harvey Two Face]

Look, I know we are just a big bunch of nerds but thats beside the point. People obviously enjoy these shows so they want to know if such things connect, if such futures are possible, its one of the driving forces for people liking these shows, plus human curiosity is a major factor. If one of your favourite characters was in another show or team, would'nt you like to know if these 2 shows could be possible so adding to a continuity of your favourite character or team?

Therefore I rest my case, would you like to continue?

[SuperBat]

Continuity has long been my favorite part of television. The longer a TV show (or a connected group of TV shows) runs, the more continuity they've created for themselves. I am always open to new storylines, new characters, and new ideas for a series, but I tend to hold onto certain loose ends, departed characters, and the like. It's always a treat to see that they are not forgotten. And, yes, I love drawing lines between plots and characters.

Few shows have done more to connect and overlap its continuity than the DCAU. I, for one, would be less than half the fan I am if it didn't.

[HaagenDas]

I agree with what SuperBat said. It also is about being apart of something big. We look at the world of BTAS with all the villains introduced and how they affected Bruce Wayne in so many ways. Yet all of that put together still is only a minute microcosm of the entire DCAU. What was Clark Kent doing the first time Batman donned a cape and cowel? Where was Lois Lane when Clark and Lana were hot and heavy? How long have the Thannagarians been really spying on Earth? What are the GL Corps doing to thwart Braniac's advances through the universe? Where was Batman when Terry McGinnis' parents were born? What did Static Shock do during the Thannagarian invasion? These are all questions fans love to hypothesize about. Continuity allows us to get answers.

[90'sCartoonMan]

The comic book world is so intertwined that when new shows are announced, fans wonder if they're in the same continuity as other shows, especially if it's by the same creative team.

If Superman was going to have Batman on it, you'd wonder if this was the same Batman from his recent series. When LOSH began, people wondered if it was the same continuity as DCAU because they were already familiar with Superman and some Legion characters introduced.

[SuperBat]

This has no real bearing on the thread, but just for conversation's sake, here's how I see the Timmverse's continuity.

If we look at it all as one big story, as if the writers knew where they were going from the start, then I see JL/U as the destination they were getting to. BB, for me, serves as the foreshadowed epilogue (no pun intended) to which "Epilogue" is the close. One could also say that its purpose within the DCAU is simply to help us understand "The Once and Future Thing." :shrug: STAS, if anything, would be the starting point of the DCAU we know, with the same look and feel of the later shows. It also ushers in new heroes and the concept of teamwork among future Leaguers.

BTAS is interesting point though, considering it's so different and simple in comparison to the rest. My point of view is that BTAS (coupled with TNBA, which serves as a bridge into STAS) is a long, isolated period of which the purpose is to help us get to know and understand Bruce Wayne and Batman. Because he is such a central character in later series, it's essential that we know him. And think about it. Batman, of all the major Leaguers, sticks out the most because of his mortality. A new viewer to the series might think that he has too big a part in a show about superpowers. Superman, of course, wouldn't have this problem, but Batman could. So to view BTAS and TNBA first helps us understand how he works, his dynamic with Superman, and his fight against crime.

I've gotten a bit off-track, I know, but I just wanted to say that. On a completely unrelated topic, reading red font is rather uncomfortable.

[Alex Weitzman]

If it weren't for continuity obsessiveness, all these people would just have to take up pinochle. And card-sharking and nerdery don't go hand in hand.

[Nightwing]

Look, I know we are just a big bunch of nerds but thats beside the point. People obviously enjoy these shows so they want to know if such things connect, if such futures are possible, its one of the driving forces for people liking these shows, plus human curiosity is a major factor. If one of your favourite characters was in another show or team, would'nt you like to know if these 2 shows could be possible so adding to a continuity of your favourite character or team?


I would ask it, but then I'd leave it at that, in my personal instance.

That would be my first question, but I wouldn't go as far as some fans have. People like to be able to label and group things together in order to better understand them. It's helpful, but sometimes kind of redundant and limiting.

Watching Teen Titans without thinking about the Continuity thing, it makes for a more comfortable viewing experience. It's like a new canvas for painting. In terms of continuity, those shows are connected by the characters they use and therefore the traits that they share, since both interpretations are inspired by the true essences of the characters they're telling stories about.

This whole continuity thing started simply because of the large and lengthy impact Batman The Animated Series had, and how it's time line was continued with The New Batman/Superman Adventures.

It's just that it grew into such a huge creature, so people simply want to connect all the pieces together.

[neogothboy74]

The continuity of the DCAU is actually what made me a fan of the shows. I thought BTAS was good, and I caught episodes of all the shows here & there, but when I saw the amazing amount of crossover potential, and the rich continuity the WHOLE of it just drew me in. Continuity is something that is common in every television series I've ever truly loved. There is something very satisfying about it, that maybe has to do the creators of a show, investing and delivering the same amount of energy & attention as fans do...or something like that. lol Continuity exists is life. When programs don't have it, it grates on my nerves, which is why as a Star Trek fan, I love DS9, and dislike the majority of Voyager. Continuity is key.

[S.C.B]

Yes. Yes it is. I know people who weren't that interested in shows like Justice League until I told them it's the same Batman they were watching in the early 90s. It gives the whole thing this bigger, more epic feel. And it makes for a very rewarding viewing experience for those who stick with it, especially in JLU.

It's the same reason I like Extreme Ghostbusters. The DCAU has been pretty constant throughout the past decade or so, but The Real Ghostbusters disappeared in the 80s. It was a real thrill to see the same voice actor for Egon come back after a decade or so, and have it set in the same universe. It made me feel like I was sitting around with old friends, talking about the new things they've done.

The same thing can be applied to the DCAU. When Batman shows up in 'World's Finest', it all kicks so much more ass when you realise that from the viewers POV at the time, Batman would have been off the air for awhile. Picture it. You're watching Superman, since it seemed to be in the same style as Batman, and it was pretty entertaining. Then you see Gotham City in the same style as B:TAS. Then you see Harley. Then Joker. Gordon, Bullock... and then the final reveal of Batman, with the same damned theme music to accompany it. All with the same voices you remembered and loved.

And then all you can think is...

"I can't believe my Superman and my Batman are going to meet!"

"I can't believe I'm watching Joker and Luthor talking to each other!"

Forgive me. Continuity in these shows makes me go mad with fanboy glee. It's the same reason I got all giddy when the X-Men showed up in the Spider-Man show in the 90s.

[SuperBat]

Yes. Yes it is. I know people who weren't that interested in shows like Justice League until I told them it's the same Batman they were watching in the early 90s. It gives the whole thing this bigger, more epic feel. And it makes for a very rewarding viewing experience for those who stick with it, especially in JLU.

It's the same reason I like Extreme Ghostbusters. The DCAU has been pretty constant throughout the past decade or so, but The Real Ghostbusters disappeared in the 80s. It was a real thrill to see the same voice actor for Egon come back after a decade or so, and have it set in the same universe. It made me feel like I was sitting around with old friends, talking about the new things they've done.

The same thing can be applied to the DCAU. When Batman shows up in 'World's Finest', it all kicks so much more ass when you realise that from the viewers POV at the time, Batman would have been off the air for awhile. Picture it. You're watching Superman, since it seemed to be in the same style as Batman, and it was pretty entertaining. Then you see Gotham City in the same style as B:TAS. Then you see Harley. Then Joker. Gordon, Bullock... and then the final reveal of Batman, with the same damned theme music to accompany it. All with the same voices you remembered and loved.

And then all you can think is...

"I can't believe my Superman and my Batman are going to meet!"

"I can't believe I'm watching Joker and Luthor talking to each other!"

Forgive me. Continuity in these shows makes me go mad with fanboy glee. It's the same reason I got all giddy when the X-Men showed up in the Spider-Man show in the 90s.
Hey! I loved that Spiderman ep! Still got it on tape.

But, yes, you gave a very good example of why continuity means so much in the DCAU.

[Toddman]

It's the same reason I like Extreme Ghostbusters.

Never thought I'd see Extreme Ghostbusters ever mentioned on this board. Or anywhere else in life.



The DCAU has been pretty constant throughout the past decade or so, but The Real Ghostbusters disappeared in the 80s. It was a real thrill to see the same voice actor for Egon come back after a decade or so, and have it set in the same universe. It made me feel like I was sitting around with old friends, talking about the new things they've done.


I had a similar experience when I discovered that some of the original voice cast reprised their roles in the new CGI Voltron series from the late 90's. Except it made me feel like my old friends punched me in the stomach and shot my dog.


Toddman

[HaagenDas]

The continuity of the DCAU is actually what made me a fan of the shows. I thought BTAS was good, and I caught episodes of all the shows here & there, but when I saw the amazing amount of crossover potential, and the rich continuity the WHOLE of it just drew me in. Continuity is something that is common in every television series I've ever truly loved. There is something very satisfying about it, that maybe has to do the creators of a show, investing and delivering the same amount of energy & attention as fans do...or something like that. lol Continuity exists is life. When programs don't have it, it grates on my nerves, which is why as a Star Trek fan, I love DS9, and dislike the majority of Voyager. Continuity is key.
Im glad you mentioned DS9. I didnt really pay attention to DS9 much until Worf showed up. That's when I took interest...despite Picard being in the first episode of the show. Voyager got good later on when we saw the Borg and Voyager started having more contact with the Alpha Quadrant.

[Anthonynotes]

>>
"I can't believe my Superman and my Batman are going to meet!"

<<

Imagine that's the appeal of the decades' worth of Superman-Batman teamup stories that've been published (the origin of the title "World's Finest" for that episode coming from the old Superman-Batman teamup comic, "World's Finest Comics"...).

-B.

[neogothboy74]

Im glad you mentioned DS9. I didnt really pay attention to DS9 much until Worf showed up. That's when I took interest...despite Picard being in the first episode of the show. Voyager got good later on when we saw the Borg and Voyager started having more contact with the Alpha Quadrant.

Voyager Seasons 1 & 4 are both written very, very well. All the others are a surprisingly mixed bag quality wise. It's always very well produced; it always LOOKS good, but if you have any kind of memory for Trek they constantly contradict previous shows, and often time contradict what was on or said in previous episodes of Voyager itself. The writers claim that continuity isn't important as long as you tell a good story, where I feel that without continuity a good story becomes a bad story. Without continuity there is no reason to invest in the characters' journey, as they aren't really taking it with us; they're taking a new one every week instead - making the final trip home a bit splintered. There are some fantastic episodes on the show, but the lack of continuity between them hurts my head so much that it almost isn't worth it. DS9 on the other hand had continuity in spades from the moment it aired until the moment it ended. If you watch the series from episode 1 - 176 you are rewarded for your loyalty to the show, which is very satisfying.

The same can be said for the DCAU. And in many ways, it's even more complicated with JL/JLU paving the way for a future [Batman Beyond] that we'd already seen. I was so excited to see those kinds of connections forming; it was a joy, beyond just seeing a great episode. When I saw "Divided We Fall" for example, the episode itself was stunning, but to have it end with them talking about having a watchtower on Earth, thrilled me, as that's how the League operated on Batman Beyond. When it was revealed that Warhawk was John's son in Weird Western Tales - I was astonished & beyond impressed with this kind of continuity to later DCAU episodes.

The writing for DCAU is what makes it worth watching; with moments of true greatness. The continuity therein just kicks it up to whole new level, that it just couldn't achieve without it.

[Sue]

I think continuity is fine so long as it doesn't become too bloated. Connecting Batman, Superman, Batman Beyond, and JL/U is sensible and uncomplicated since they were helmed by Bruce Timm and several others. Hell, throw in Teen Titans, and it still works. (I've read suggestions of including completely unrelated shows as different "earths," but that would screw everything up.) Trust me, as a comic reader, the DCAU's continuity is razor sharp in comparison.

[BigFatHairyDeal]

Continuity is a double-edged sword. Almost paradoxically, adherence to continuity both creates a lot of story possibilities and hinders a lot of others, as well. It works this way because you can bring together a lot of elements from previous series, but it adds the burden of trying not to contradict anything before. Certain elements of the DCAU are better served with continuity, and some are better off isolated from the rest. So while every Timm-helmed DC show is connected in some way, and usually for the best, shows such as BTAS and Beyond are often best viewed if the rest of the superhero stuff were just ignored.

[HaagenDas]

Voyager Seasons 1 & 4 are both written very, very well. All the others are a surprisingly mixed bag quality wise. It's always very well produced; it always LOOKS good, but if you have any kind of memory for Trek they constantly contradict previous shows, and often time contradict what was on or said in previous episodes of Voyager itself. The writers claim that continuity isn't important as long as you tell a good story, where I feel that without continuity a good story becomes a bad story. Without continuity there is no reason to invest in the characters' journey, as they aren't really taking it with us; they're taking a new one every week instead - making the final trip home a bit splintered. There are some fantastic episodes on the show, but the lack of continuity between them hurts my head so much that it almost isn't worth it. DS9 on the other hand had continuity in spades from the moment it aired until the moment it ended. If you watch the series from episode 1 - 176 you are rewarded for your loyalty to the show, which is very satisfying.

The same can be said for the DCAU. And in many ways, it's even more complicated with JL/JLU paving the way for a future [Batman Beyond] that we'd already seen. I was so excited to see those kinds of connections forming; it was a joy, beyond just seeing a great episode. When I saw "Divided We Fall" for example, the episode itself was stunning, but to have it end with them talking about having a watchtower on Earth, thrilled me, as that's how the League operated on Batman Beyond. When it was revealed that Warhawk was John's son in Weird Western Tales - I was astonished & beyond impressed with this kind of continuity to later DCAU episodes.

The writing for DCAU is what makes it worth watching; with moments of true greatness. The continuity therein just kicks it up to whole new level, that it just couldn't achieve without it.

Yea, you're right. In the movie Star Trek: Nemesis, Captain Picard is talking to a Vice-Admiral Janeway. Janeway was by far a junior captain to Picard. I can understand appointing her to Rear-Admiral (one star compared to modern US naval rank) but to Vice-Admiral (3 star) within 2 years is completely absurd. The whole ST Universe had issues with a lot of other things, such as the depiction of Klingons being more human like in TOS and the evolving as makeup got better in the TNG and beyond era. I remember they explained that part as there being some genetic experimentation with human genes (not to mention Worf's cute mention of reference in that DS9 episode where the DS9 crew met the TOS crew). Point is, one of the Klingon heros was pure Klingon, then went to fusion Klingon, then back to pure Klingon.

But I think this whole continuity thing has stopped TT and The Batman from being in continuity with each other because of the Killer Moth issue. Too bad, because them being in continuity with each other would have made a lot of sense animation and ability wise.

[N0-1_H3r3]

In regards to how Teen Titans fits into the DCAU continuity... well, as far as I can tell, it doesn't, and isn't meant to.

In fact, from the looks of things, Teen Titans fits more closely into the same continuity as The Batman (compare the Robin designs from TB Season 4 and Teen Titans... there are some differences, but more than a few similarities that don't show up on any other version I've seen - such as the Robin-themed 'Birdarangs', instead of simply using Batarangs). It strikes me that the Teen Titans Robin is The Batman's Dick Grayson - several years later. And, we certainly know that in both shows, he ends up becoming Nightwing several decades on (Teen Titans "How Long is Forever", The Batman "Artefacts")

At least, that's the way my housemate and I figure it.

Edit: Damn... didn't see the comment in the post immediately before mine. Even so, that's only one element of discontinuity... and we all know how heroes and villains change and/or are replaced by newer incarnations (Hells, The Batman has already demonstrated this by introducing Clayface II)

[M.O.D.O.K.]

Yea, you're right. In the movie Star Trek: Nemesis, Captain Picard is talking to a Vice-Admiral Janeway. Janeway was by far a junior captain to Picard. I can understand appointing her to Rear-Admiral (one star compared to modern US naval rank) but to Vice-Admiral (3 star) within 2 years is completely absurd. The whole ST Universe had issues with a lot of other things, such as the depiction of Klingons being more human like in TOS and the evolving as makeup got better in the TNG and beyond era. I remember they explained that part as there being some genetic experimentation with human genes (not to mention Worf's cute mention of reference in that DS9 episode where the DS9 crew met the TOS crew). Point is, one of the Klingon heros was pure Klingon, then went to fusion Klingon, then back to pure Klingon.

But I think this whole continuity thing has stopped TT and The Batman from being in continuity with each other because of the Killer Moth issue. Too bad, because them being in continuity with each other would have made a lot of sense animation and ability wise.

Well, the comics sometimes have two or more versions of a particular villain, so what isn't to say that there MIGHT be a second Killer Moth.

[HaagenDas]

Well, the comics sometimes have two or more versions of a particular villain, so what isn't to say that there MIGHT be a second Killer Moth. I would LOVE it if that was the case. Then I would take both shows more seriously.