DC have releases some more information and a trailer for their upcoming digital streaming service DC Universe today, showing off all the things which will be coming to the service.
As had already been announced, DC Universe will be the home to a slew of new original live-action and animated series based on DC Comics properties. They include live-action ‘Titans‘, ‘Swamp Thing‘ and ‘Doom Patrol‘ series, along with ‘Young Justice: Outsiders’ and ‘Harley Quinn’ animated shows. It’s also now confirmed the subscription will include digital comic books, a bunch of films and shows from DC’s back catalogue, competitions, a community feature to allow fans to connect, and members-only exclusive merchandise.
“DC Universe is so much more than a streaming service. 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,” commented Jim Lee, chief creative officer and publisher, DC Entertainment. “We are investing in and creating original, high-quality shows including the new Titans series, and curating the most beloved nostalgic content, while at the same time elevating the comic reading experience to new heights. Nothing this robust has ever been offered to fans before.”
Using the branding WATCH, READ, CONNECT, EXPLORE, WIN, SHOP, the service is broken down into those various categories.
Under ‘WATCH’, we have the new shows, including:
‘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.
Brenton Thwaites (‘Home & Away’, ‘Maleficent’) stars as Dick Grayson/Robin, Teagan Croft (‘Home and Away’, ‘The Osiris Child’) stars as Raven, Anna Diop (’24: Legacy’) plays Starfire, and Ryan Potter (‘Big Hero 6’) will portray Beast Boy. Alan Ritchson (‘Smallville’) takes the role of Hawk with Minka Kelly (‘Friday Night Lights’) playing his partner Dove.
The show comes is written and produced by Akiva Goldsman (‘Star Trek: Discovery’, ‘The Dark Tower’, ‘Fringe’), DC God Geoff Johns (‘The Flash’, ‘Arrow’) and the Arrowverse’s Greg Berlanti.
‘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.
The show is being written by Jeremy Carver (‘Supernatural’, ‘Frequency’, ‘Being Human’), who will exec produce alongside Arrowverse’s Greg Berlanti, Geoff Johns and Sarah Schechter.
‘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.
The series is being produced by James Wan’s Atomic Monster (‘The Conjuring’ and ‘Saw’ franchises) and written by Mark Verheiden (‘Ash vs. The Evil Dead’, ‘Daredevil’, ‘Constantine’) and Gary Dauberman (‘It’, ‘Annabelle: Creation’).’
‘Young Justice: Outsiders’ features the return of the fan favourite 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 the Doom.
An assortment of DC’s most beloved superhero films will also be available at launch, including all four original Superman movies as well as a selection of animated movies including ‘Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox’, ‘Green Lantern: First Flight’, and ‘Wonder Woman’. The service will also feature classic TV shows, including the first two seasons of ‘Batman: The Animated Series’ and the original ‘Wonder Woman’ series available for the first time in HD.
Under the ‘READ’ banner the new DC Universe comics reader will include native, untethered access across devices from a smartphone or tablet to a living room screen rendered in vivid detail. According to the press release, “fans can scroll through some of their favourite comics from the comfort of their couch with family or friends and see this vibrant art form come to life like never before.” A curated selection of thousands of DC comics will be available to DC Universe members from a library that includes decades of comics creations.
“We wanted the DC UNIVERSE comic reader to be a blend of art and technology that would further enhance fans’ experiences of the live-action and animated programming on DC UNIVERSE,” said Dan DiDio, publisher, DC Entertainment. “This hand-curated selection from our decades of comic creations gives fans a thematic digital longbox to carry with them on the device of their choosing or lets them watch exclusive video content on a big screen followed by the comic that inspired it.”
The ‘CONNECT’, ‘EXPLORE & WIN’ and ‘SHOP’ sections include a place where members can rate, create and share their own personalized playlists of their favourite heroes and villains. Fans can chat, share and use the forum to find like-minded souls. There will be an extensive DC encyclopedia, news, interviews and previews in daily video segments, and chances to win exclusive prizes. You can also buy exclusive DC Collectibles including all-new six-inch ‘Justice League Animated’ action figures based on designs from the fan-favourite animated series.
Now we come to the big BUT moment… DC Universe will be available at launch on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV, as well as the web and mobile web… BUT only in the United States… for now… which is rather frustrating for those of us this side of the pond.
DC has yet to release any information on the international rollout, but we will let you know when we have something. For those of you in the US, you can register for an opportunity for beta access in August (full launch coming in the “Fall”) at dcuniverse.com.
