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Batman may be the most grounded of the major superheroes. He has no superpowers, just years of athletic training and cultivating of knowledge. The most acclaimed Batman movies, Christopher Nolan's "Dark Knight" films, were all about adding realism to the legend of Batman, which has definitely affected public perception of and expectations of a Batman film. But that realism can be limiting. Batman is a fantastic pulp adventurer, and ideally, Gotham City should be a place where the impossible can happen.

One Batman movie that dives right into the unrealistic is 2023's "Batman: The Doom That Came to Gotham." Adapted from a 2001 comic mini-series by Mike Mignola, Richard Pace, and Troy Nixey, "The Doom That Came to Gotham" is one of the best animated Batman films ever made. It's an "Elseworlds" tale, which reimagines a DC hero in a different time or genre.

Don't just say, "Make mine Marvel," because DC Comics -- also known as DC -- boasts some of the greatest comic book storylines of all time. But do you know how tough it is to select the best of the best here? It's near impossible! From Batman to Superman, each character could fill their own list of all-time hits -- and speaking of which, do check out the 20 best Batman comics you need to read.

We love a good challenge at /Film, though -- that, or we enjoy the merciless bullying that will follow if we miss out on one of your favorites -- so we picked 15 of the best DC Comics ever, based on a meaningful mix of overall quality, lasting influence on the genre, and personal preference. These are the stories that left a mark and made us even bigger fans of comic books in general. With that said,...

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"Batman: The Animated Series" ran for 85 episodes on Fox Kids and maintained impressive quality control throughout. There are very few lumps of coal in this box of diamonds, but some "Batman" episodes do get mentioned again and again as the fan-favorites.

There's the Emmy-winning "Heart of Ice," which forever redefined Mr. Freeze. "Beware The Gray Ghost" featured a heart-melting guest appearance by Adam West as a washed-up film serial star who Bruce Wayne (Kevin Conroy) loved as a child. "Almost Got 'Im" features some of Gotham's worst sitting around a poker table, swapping stories about when they came closest to punching Batman's clock.

Similar to "Almost Got 'Im," the episode "Trial" features many heavy hitter Batman villains. They seize control of Arkham Asylum, capture the investigating Batman, and put him on trial for all the grief he's caused them.

As one of the greatest superheroes ever created, Batman has a special place in the DC Comics canon. Though he's been rebooted, remixed, and reinvented more times than we can count (most recently in Matt Reeves' "The Batman" film and Scott Snyder's Absolute Universe in the comics), he's almost always characterized as a tragic romantic hero who uses his incredible wealth to save a city ravaged by crime and institutional decay. This one-man war on crime, waged without powers, has earned him the respect -- and, more importantly, fear -- of the DC Universe's heroes and villains.

But Batman has made decisions over the decades that are far from respectable. With a desperation to prevent the loss of innocent life, an unparalleled superiority complex, and a pathological distrust of his closest allies, he poses a danger to the world that rivals the most dangerous criminal masterminds.

Read more:...

One of the most recognizable and beloved villains in the history of entertainment, the Joker has dominated the criminal underworld of DC Comics since he first appeared during the industry's Golden Age. Whether he's portrayed cartoonishly, as a maniacal mastermind of malice and mischief, or as a disturbingly plausible psychological terrorist, his appearances in "Batman" stories are consistently memorable.

What makes him so distinct is his peculiar way of carrying out his creatively heinous crimes, always with a flair for the dramatic, a smile, and a grim joke. We've gone through his history in comics, film, and television to find the most horrible things various versions of the clown prince have ever done. While we'll be avoiding some severe tonal outliers, our top 15 choices showcase the Joker at his absolute best - which is to say, his very, very worst.

Read more: 5 Reasons Why Joker 2 Flopped At The Box Office...

Over a decade before the Arrowverse shows and their crossover events set the standard on The CW, its predecessor, The WB, was already experimenting with similar ideas involving multiple DC Comics superheroes teaming up to fight evil. On October 9, 2002, the network's "Birds of Prey" introduced a Batman-free version of Gotham City where crime runs rampant and familiar faces from the DC universe clash.

From a modern point of view, the show had a lot going for it. Its promo clips heavily suggested that its events existed in (a version of) the same continuity as the Tim Burton Batman movies -- not that this stopped the series from briefly introducing a distinctly new version of the Joker, as voiced by none other than Mark Hamill.  As its main character, "Birds of Prey" had Helena "Huntress" Kyle (Ashley Scott), the super-powered daughter of Catwoman and Batman. Teaming up with former Batgirl Barbara Gordon...

"The Accountant 2" has been filed into movie theaters across the U.S. The movie reunites director Gavin O'Connor and Ben Affleck as Christian Wolff, a savant accountant and vigilante, but many (including /Film) have called this sequel an improvement over the 2016 original.

Ah, 2016. That was a lynchpin year for Ben Affleck's career, but not in a great way. He starred in three movies, none of them hits either critically or commercially. After his early 2000s rough patch, Affleck had been back on the upswing since 2006's "Hollywoodland." For the next ten years, he proved himself as a director (first with 2007's "Gone Baby Gone") and as an actor worthy of respect. When he was cast as Batman in "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice," it seemed like Affleck's movie star redemption was complete. Sure, Bat-fans had their doubts at first, but he was joining the superhero boom as one of the world's biggest superheroes.

If you look at a lot of the best films in the superhero genre, a common denominator is Batman. The Caped Crusader's 80+ year legacy makes him one of the comic book heroes most open for interpretation. Different filmmakers have produced widely different, yet equally excellent, Batman movies. 1966's "Batman: The Movie" is a camp classic. "Batman Returns" is a gothic German Expressionist melodrama only Tim Burton could have made. Christopher Nolan's "The Dark Knight" and Matt Reeves' "The Batman" are both fantastic crime dramas with big ideas most superhero movies don't even reach for.

But it'd be a big mistake to leave animation out of this conversation. "Batman: The Animated Series" is generally considered the finest Batman adaptation ever, proof positive the Dark Knight can excel on film no matter the medium. There are also many more animated Batman movies than live-action ones at this point. Many of them...

The DC Extended Universe wasn't exactly a success, though it would be wrong to say that it didn't deliver some good stories and box office hits. Still, something needed to change, and that's why DC Studios was formed at the start of 2023.

Over the past two years, we've seen the Dcu slowly start to take shape. Superman will kick things off properly this summer after Creature Commandos gave us a taste of what's to come, and beyond that, the slate is - mostly - shaping up to be in equal parts intriguing and exciting.

However, when DC Studios decided to take these characters back to the drawing board, there were some casualties. James Gunn has enlisted many of his friends to reprise their respective DC roles, but with a fresh start on the horizon, many movies and ideas were scrapped.

It's those we're taking a closer look at today. So,...

Comic book legend Todd McFarlane recently shared his own top choice for which actor should play Batman in James Gunn's DC Universe. A movie starring The Dark Knight, The Brave and the Bold, is currently in development.

Speaking with ScreenRant, McFarlane said his top choice for Batman is Star Trek actor Zachary Quinto. "I'm not great at Hollywood names, but there's an actor I like. He might be too old, but he was Spock in the Star Trek movies, and he was in Margin Call. [Zachary Quinto], that's the name," McFarlane said. "I've seen him in shows where he can be somber — and I'm not talking Spock somber — I'm talking about how there's a seriousness to a lot of characters he's done. I think Batman needs that personality because Batman, to me, is a guy that's so focused."

McFarlane went on to talk about the character of Batman and the reason...

DC Studios recently announced a new animated movie called Dynamic Duo. This film will not focus on Batman and Robin, but instead on two different Robins. It continues DC’s theme of exploring the Batfamily and their relationships.

Robin has not been in a live-action movie for a long time, but he has appeared in animated films. Dynamic Duo will bring a fresh take on the character, following in the footsteps of past animated projects.

The movie was first announced in October 2024, but there has been little news since then. Now, DC has confirmed that Dynamic Duo will be released on June 30, 2028. As production moves forward, more updates will likely come soon.

Related: ‘Robin & Batman: Jason Todd’ Miniseries Debuts June 11: Covers & Plot Released

Now during WB’s presentation during CinemaCon exclusive footage of the upcoming movie was shown to attendees. The scene revealed it was created using only puppetry animation.

Harlan Coben is one of America’s most popular crime and mystery authors, as well as the first author to win an Edgar Award, a Shamus Award, and an Anthony Award. Since 1990, Coben has been writing suspense novels that have been sold more than 60 million copies all over the world.

Starting in 2018, Coben’s works have been steadily adapted by Netflix, both in English and in other languages. Two such adaptations have already been released this year, with three scheduled to be released at a later point; in total, Netflix will have produced 13 adaptations by the time the current known works are finished.

Among the future adaptations with no set release date is I Will Find You, which has just added four big names to its cast.

Related: Netflix Releases New Teaser for ‘The Eternaut’: A Chilling Alien Invasion in an Icy Apocalypse

As confirmed, Britt Lower, Milo Ventimiglia,...

When you think of iconic comic book creators, artist Jim Lee (X-Men and Justice League) and writer Jeph Loeb (Superman and Supergirl) come to mind. Not only have they both shaped comic books for decades, but they’re the reason the genre is popular. Another thing that they have in common is previously working on Batman stories for DC Comics and now they are currently working on the sequel to the popular Dark Knight story arc to Hush.

There has been a lot of promotion around Hush 2, which isn't surprising considering that its predecessor is one of the Caped Crusader's biggest stories of all time, and fans were ready for the sequel. Yes, there's been a lot of hype, and the first issue shows exactly why.

Batman No. 158 creative team

Writer: Jeph Loeb Art by: Scott Williams and Jim LeeColorist: Alex Sinclair View this post on Instagram

A post shared...

When WB demanded a teen-focused Batman show from the creators of "Batman: The Animated Series," they thought outside the box and came up with "Batman Beyond." Set in a cyberpunk Neo-Gotham, the series followed teenager Terry McGinnis (Will Friedle), the protege of an aged Bruce Wayne (Kevin Conroy), as he becomes the new Batman.

In this future, Commissioner James Gordon has passed away, but his daughter Barbara (Stockard Channing/Angie Harmon), the former Batgirl, has taken his place. The new Commissioner Gordon was a relatively rare returning character. "Batman Beyond" reused a few old villains, like Mr. Freeze, Ra's Al Ghul, and in a spin-off movie, the Joker, but it mostly focused on new characters. References to Batman's good ol' days were usually kept vague, reaffirming that Terry's adventures in the "present" were what mattered most.

The "Batman Beyond" tie-in comic, though, explores Barbara in a way that the TV show never did.

Zack Snyder’s Justice League was the foundation of his Dceu. It was supposed to be the root of his universe, setting up the futures of the entire Justice League and hinting at their potential futures. Although the plans were scrapped and DC Studios moved on from the visions that the director had for the franchise, it continues to have a special place in the hearts of the fans, specifically what could have been.

Henry Cavill in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel | Credits: DC Films/Warner Bros. Pictures

One of the many potential storylines that Snyder wanted to follow was that of Clark Kent. While it was hinted that Lois Lane would end up dying, this wasn’t the only storyline that was teased for her character.

It would seem that Lane was pregnant with Clark Kent’s child, and the direction that this story was going to take is extremely crazy.

A 43-second video featuring some never-before-seen BTS footage from the scrapped Batgirl movie has found its way online, and it shows Barbara Gordon engaging in a fairly brutal-looking scrap with several goons.

As far as we know, this is not star Leslie Grace in the Batgirl suit, but her stunt performer Emely Cartagena.

The impressively choreographed sequence has gained a lot of attention, and following the recent news that Ketchup Entertainment is in advanced negotiations to acquire the rights to Coyote Vs. Acme from Warner Bros., fans are once again calling for the release of Batgirl.

Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav's decision to shelve the HBO Max movie when it was already so deep into post-production was one of the biggest news stories of 2022, and was met with a significant amount of backlash from every corner of the industry.

The project was scrapped as a tax write-off, with...

DC Comics is home to a slew of iconic female heroes who rival their male counterparts in popularity, power levels, and overall badassness, with characters like Batgirl, Black Canary, and Starfire having recognizable superhero designs that fans can’t get enough of. In new fanart featuring these characters and more, DC's best women heroes get a loungewear makeover that shows them finally taking a moment for themselves, with the need for retail versions of their sleepwear redesigns needing to become buyable merch as soon as possible.

Conveniently collected into one post on Reddit’s r/DCcomics channel, Alexandra-Jane (@ghostpainters_real) is a creator looking to make her “passion a career,” with Alexandra-Jane’s consistent drip of fanart content helping to make that goal a reality with every new piece.

[Fan Art] DC Ladies by @Ghostpainters on Tumblrbyu/KitKat_5628 inDCcomics

Recently sharing images featuring characters hailing from across the nerd spectrum, Alexandra-Jane’s...

In the past few years, Warner Bros. Discovery shelved several films to obtain massive tax write-offs instead of releasing them, including theatrically, VOD, etc. The films that may never see the light of day are Batgirl, Scoob! Holiday Haunt, and Coyote Vs. Acme. And now a fan has decided to protest Warner Bros. by dressing up as Wile E. Coyote with a sign saying, "Release me!!"

A fan dressed as Wile E. Coyote protesting today outside the Warner Bros lot to release ‘Coyote Vs ACME’ pic.twitter.com/Fj59LkHSNq— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) March 11, 2025

Following public outcry, Warner Bros. allowed the producers to shop Coyote Vs. Acme around to other studios and streaming services. However, WB wanted $75 to $80 million for the film and turned down offers from Paramount, Netflix, and Amazon.

The cast and crew held a "funeral screening" of Coyote Vs. Acme following the shelving of the film so stars Will Forte,...

The "Bat-embargo." If you're a fan of the classic DC Animated Universe (Dcau), the words probably feel like a chill in the night. If you're not, then let me explain.

See, DC Comics can be fickle about which of its characters can appear on television, and where. During the 2000s, this mostly impacted Batman and his supporting cast. Kevin Conroy's Batman was a regular on "Justice League Unlimited," which aired alongside the unconnected cartoon "The Batman," and Christopher Nolan's "Batman Begins" marked the return of the Dark Knight after his 1990s silver screen fall.

Reportedly, then-dc Comics President Paul Levitz was worried that kids would be confused about all of these Batmen. How would they be able to tell multiple versions of the same characters apart when they were all appearing at the same time? Hence, the Bat-embargo came into effect around 2004 (when "The Batman" debuted and "Justice League...

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There are plenty of Batman cartoons out there, from the superlative "Batman: The Animated Series" to the underrated 2004 series "The Batman" to the new and fresh "Batman: Caped Crusader." But there's another cartoon even the most ardent Bat-fans may not have heard of — because it was never actually made.

"Gotham High" would've shown Bruce Wayne's teenage years as he attends high school alongside Batman's future villains, who all already resemble their costumed selves. Pitched in 2009 or so, the series never made it past the concept stage. Warner Bros. had previously floated a teen Batman cartoon in the late '90s to cash in on "Buffy The Vampire Slayer." That resulted in "Batman Beyond," a cyber-noir imagining a future where an aged Bruce Wayne trains teenager Terry McGinnis to be a new Dark Knight.

"Gotham High" would've been a more literal...

Warner Bros. Games is unfortunately in a pretty complicated spot. Recently, it was revealed they canceled a Flash video game and indefinitely delayed Monolith's Wonder Woman after a big creative reboot. Besides, support for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League recently ended as the title failed to meet expectations.

So how does Warner's video game division come out of such a grim spot? Well, by turning on the Bat-Signal and waiting for salvation, of course. That's right: It appears DC is gearing up for a big comeback at the hands of their most beloved character.

Rocksteady reportedly working on a Batman Beyond video game

According to industry insider Lunatic Ignus, Rocksteady Studios is working on a Batman Beyond game. This falls in line with a different report that claimed the developer would go back to basics and develop a single-player game starring the hero that put them on...

When people think of superhero shows, they often think of the DC Animated Universe, the CW's Arrowverse, Spider-Man: The Animated Series, or X-Men: The Animated Series. While those franchises helped establish many superhero icons, there are plenty of superhero shows that the average person doesn’t know exist. A quick cancelation is often one of the biggest reasons, but sometimes it simply comes down to people not being familiar with the IP.

Sticking to only Batman and Spider-Man is a sure way to overlook a wealth of great content. Even within popular franchises, there are series that many people don’t know exist. With over ten Spider-Man shows alone, there are bound to be quality superhero series that have been forgotten or never discovered.

Related10 Superhero Shows That Deserve Comic Book Continuations

Fan-favorite superhero shows like Spectacular Spider-Man and Legends of Tomorrow could easily continue in the comics, much like Smallville and Buffy.

It couldn’t last forever. Eventually, Absolute Batman’s undefeated streak was going to end. He's been dominant for too long And while this was inevitable, no one could have predicted that writer Scott Snyder would have him lose like this, especially not in such a brutal way.

Absolute Batman No. 5 creative team

Writer: Scott SnyderArt by: Nick DragottaColorist: Frank Martin

During issue No. 2 and into No. 3 of Absolute Batman, Roman Sionis (Black Mask) made Batman an offer: All he had to do was stand down for a week and stop going after him. Roman even promised to get his Party Animals to take it down a notch. After the week, Batman would be $200 million richer. Alfred convinced Bruce that this was the right thing to do because the money would do wonders for his crusade against crime.

Now that the week is over, what will Bruce do with the money?...

The following contains spoilers for Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2, now streaming on Netflix.

One of the most intriguing characters in Castlevania: Nocturne Season 1 was none other than Juste Belmont. His role wasn't like his ancestor, Trevor, from the initial Netflix anime. While Trevor was a swashbuckling hunter, Juste was a recluse. Instead, the warrior role went to Juste's grandson, Richter.

Juste had a more personal, heartbreaking arc that showed how the mystical wars in this fantasy world damaged people. He had Ptsd and demons in his closet that crafted an emotive arc on mental health. Come Castlevania: Nocturne Season 2, Juste gets to heal and becomes somewhat whole again. As this occurs, it gives Juste's voice actor, Iain Glen, the arc that the Titans TV series failed to offer him when he suited up as a DC icon.

Related10 Strongest Characters In Castlevania: Nocturne

Now with two seasons, Netflix's Castlevania: Nocturne shows...

Quick LinksDavid Howard Thornton Becomes the Joker AgainDavid Howard Thornton's Joker Sadistically Murders Jason Todd

The following contains spoilers for Jokers Wild, now streaming on YouTube.

Among DC Comics' more iconic storylines, "A Death in the Family" is one of the most memorable. The 1980s event was mired in controversy, but it helped shape the Bat-family for years to come. That story saw the Joker kidnap Jason Todd (aka Robin) in Ethiopia and beat him with a crowbar.

The Clown Prince of Crime used Jason's mother, Sheila, to bait the Boy Wonder in, proving he could adapt on the fly. It led to Robin being killed due to a bomb after fans called a hotline and voted for him to die. In 2025, a horror movie superstar has placed his own spin on the iconic Batman story, complete with gore and terror.

David Howard Thornton Becomes the Joker Again Thornton's...

The Joker is one of comics’ most popular villains, appearing in countless Batman pieces of media across mediums. Gotham's Clown Prince of Crime has been blessed with diverse and riveting portrayals by talented actors in both film and television, but he also has a long and storied history in animation.

Many animated portrayals of Batman's greatest nemesis have been just as iconic as their film counterparts, if not more so. Unfortunately, not every animated Joker has lived up to the same standard. Sometimes an animated Joker is only as good or bad as the Batman show he is in. Other times, a cartoon Joker stands out as the best, or worst, member of his cast.

Update: 2025/02/08 19:20 Est By Brian Cronin

I have updated this fun look at the best takes on the Joker in Batman animated shows and featured to add five more notable Joker animated appearances.

RelatedEvery Batman Cartoon,...

Season 5 of Harley Quinn has been an eventful one. First, Harley and Poison Ivy move to Metropolis to begin a new chapter in their life. The next day, Ivy has her first day at work and finds out she has to coexist with her toxic ex-boyfriend and professor, Jason Woodrue. She attempts to kill him and fails, leading to Woodrue becoming the Floronic Man. Shocking to no one, he wants revenge on Ivy.

Jason's career in villainy was short-lived. Because he tried to kill Ivy, Harley cut his head in half. Before the couple can celebrate, Brainiac abducts and imprisons them on his ship. Now they'll have to escape Brainiac's ship and his Automaton Security System (or A.S.S.).

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A post shared by Harley Quinn on Max (@dcharleyquinn)

Harley Quinn want to see for an extended period. So don’t be shocked when the...

Though some of you may not even be aware of this, Warner Bros. aired a Birds of Prey TV series back in 2002, which ran for 13 episodes before being abruptly cancelled despite relatively strong ratings.

The show was set in an alternate DC Comics reality, taking place years after Batman abandoned Gotham City (now known as New Gotham) and focusing on a trio of heroes joining forces as the city's new protectors in the Dark Knight's absence.

The team was made up of Bruce Wayne and Selena Kyle's daughter Helene Kyle/Huntress (Ashley Scott), Barbara Gordon/Oracle (Dina Meyer), and Dinah Redmond/Black Canary (Rachel Skarsten), with Doctor Harleen Quinzel (Mia Sara) as their main adversary.

Birds of Prey is not exactly well-regarded (and wasn't at the time), but it has since gained something of a cult following, with most of the episodes available to watch on YouTube.

Now,...

When Zack Snyder made Man of Steel with Henry Cavill, there were no plans of building a Dceu. However, DC executives were eager to catch up with Marvel, who were thriving with their superhero franchise. In their misguided vision for a DC franchise, the studio tried many things unsuccessfully before opting for a complete restructuring under James Gunn.

James Gunn with Dcu actors David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan | Credits: @jamesgunn/Instagram

The Dceu already underwent several course corrections before the restructuring, resulting in a bunch of canceled or abandoned projects. After the new regime took over control, all planned films in the former Dceu were effectively canceled.

10. Hourman Cameron Gellman as Hourman in DC’s Stargirl | Credits: The CW

The Hourman film was announced by Wbd in March 2021 about a superhero who can use his power only one hour at a time. Gavin James and Neil Widener were attached as the writers.

Over two years after DC Studios controversially canceled its Batgirl film, many still wonder why the DC Extended Universe never saw the light of day. Among those perplexed by DC's decision are the shelved film's crew members, with one claiming the movie was "completely finished" before being axed.

Replying to a video showing behind-the-scenes footage of Batgirl and bemoaning its "soul-crushing" fate, the superhero film's art department assistant, Annie Mitchell, admitted she's still stunned DC went ahead and scrapped the movie while it was deep into the post-production process. Confirming how close Batgirl was to being released, Mitchell said, "It’s insane that they scrapped it. It was literally completely finished, VFX and everything."

@hellenicrequiemIt's actually so soul crushing to see the amount of love and effort put into a film only for it to be turned into a tax write off and completely deleted from existence #lostmedia #batgirl #batgirlmovie...

Warner Bros. Discovery boss David Zaslav's decision to shelve the HBO Max Batgirl movie when it was already so deep into post-production was one of the biggest news stories of 2022, and was met with a significant amount of backlash from every corner of the industry.

The project was scrapped as a tax write-off, with reports doing the rounds at the time that Barbara Gordon's first solo outing simply wasn't very good.

DC Studios co-ceo Peter Safran would later suggest that Batgirl may have been even more of a mess than we'd been led to believe.

"I saw the movie, and there are a lot of incredibly talented people in front of and behind the camera on that film. But that film was not releasable, and it happens sometimes. That film was not releasable. I actually think that [president and CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery David] Zaslav and the team made a very bold and courageous decision...

Directed by Joel David Moore (Avatar) and starring Amanda Crew (Final Destination 3), Tom Felton (Harry Potter) and Ashley Greene (Twilight), Some Other Woman is a psychological thriller following a woman who begins to question if she's losing her mind or her husband's loyalty when a strange woman slowly intrudes into their life.

We sat down with Ashley earlier this week and, as well as taking a deep dive into her captivating performance in the movie, we also asked what it's been like to have Twilight and Alice Cullen remain such a huge part of her career.

"I do [like how the role has followed me]. I just got this question at a fan event over the weekend and it’s kind of incredible how this franchise continues to live on and how people are still so passionate about [it] and how it’s still streaming. I don’t think we expected…there’s no way to really...

Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for 'Harley Quinn' Season 5.Harley Quinn kicked off its fifth season premiere, "The Big Apricot," with a change of pace: Harley (Kaley Cuoco) and Ivy (Lake Bell) move to Metropolis to shake up their relationship. Not only does this give the chaotic couple the spark they've been looking for, but it also leads to a surprising interaction with Superman (James Wolk) that sets the stage for the rest of the season. It also gives Warner Bros. a bit of unintended synergy, especially as the Man of Steel will take center stage in James Gunn's Superman reboot this summer. But Harley lets slip a surprising detail: The Gotham City Sirens, the team she formed with Barbara Gordon (Briana Cuoco) and Catwoman (Cherise Boothe) has disbanded — which feels like a major waste of potential.

Harley Quinn has delved into a great deal of DC Universe source material, but one of the more recent stories being part of the show was genuinely shocking. Throughout the first four seasons, Harley Quinn has given incredible love to so many stories and characters from DC lore. Even when poking fun at some of the best Harley Quinn characters, the series had great affection and reverence for its source material. This contributed to one of the darkest Batman stories, based on a comic by Alan Moore, being told during season 4.

Even when Harley Quinn uses darkness, however, it also brings great light. The Harley Quinn season 5 premiere continued with much of the show's irreverent tone while continuing to build strong and dynamic characters. As the show has shifted from Gotham City to Metropolis, it seems that a number of changes will occur within the series. One of these changes...

Harley Quinn season 5 has begun streaming on Max, and the DC Universe series has already done away with one of the best teams that the show has yet introduced. Fortunately, this is the right decision for the Harley Quinn season 5 premiere, which already has a great deal to do to set up the latest season. Bringing in characters like Lena Luthor and Brainiac, and moving the action of the show to Metropolis, season 5 sets up a new and engaging chapter of the show, with an incredibly unique and unexpected future ahead.

The DC series has worked hard to create one of the best versions of Harley Quinn and has crafted a truly unique version for the wider DC Universe. Akin to projects like The Lego Batman Movie, Harley Quinn has used elements of parody in its iteration of this world, yet never feels false to the origins of the characters.

Quick Links The Lego Batman Movie’s Director Was Set To Direct a Nightwing Film A Nightwing Film Could Feature Barbara Gordon in a Prominent Role A Potential Dcu Film Could Explain the History of the Robin Mantle

The current slate of Dcu projects features a lot of ties to Batman so far, which is no surprise since he's arguably the most popular superhero on the planet. The first Batman-related project will focus on a villain who has yet to make a live-action debut. Clayface is set to hit theaters in September 2026 and so far, no director is attached, but the film's script comes from Mike Flanagan. Dynamic Duo is another Batman project moving forward at DC Studios that will follow Dick Grayson and Jason Todd using groundbreaking animation. That film is still a ways off, and it's unclear if it's part of the Dcu or Elseworlds. Of course, Matt Reeves...

Warning! This post contains Spoilers for Nightwing #122

The newest issue of DC's Nightwing reveals Dick Grayson's life could have gone down a much darker path, way back when he was Batman's very first Robin. In the present, Nightwing's city of Blüdhaven has been thrown into chaos thanks to a massive gang war and a new company named Spheric Solutions arming the police with brutal advanced weaponry to "keep the peace". However, Nightwing and Barbara Gordon have found evidence not only that the company's CEO is behind the gang war, but was also a Gotham villain from Grayson's past.

In the new Nightwing #122 by Dan Watters and Dexter Soy, Nightwing recounts his history as Batman's first Robin and their encounter with the Cirque du Sin, a traveling circus of crime luring the rich and wealthy not to rob them, but to slaughter them following their performance. It's here that Robin meets Colombina,...

DC Comics' Absolute line has been a massive success, and author Kelly Thompson's Absolute Wonder Woman has been a huge part of that. Thompson has an impressive resume, as a long-time writer in the comic book industry, and fans discovering her for the first time through Absolute Wonder Woman have a number of great books from her worth checking out.

Thompson has a rich history working in the superhero genre, having written hit series for both Marvel and DC Comics. For Marvel, she has helped take several of the publisher's characters and elevated them to the next level, while prior to Absolute Wonder Woman here main contribution to DC was Birds of Prey.

Thompson also has stepped outside the world of superheroes, taking on some familiar faces while also writing her own original comics. Here are eight comics written by Kelly Thompson to read once caught up on Absolute Wonder Woman,...

Quick Links How Did Harley Quinn Set Up Its Killing Joke? Is Harley Quinn Season 5 Making The Killing Joke Better?

The following reveals spoilers for Harley Quinn Season 5, Episode 1, "The Big Apricot," now streaming on Max. It also contains a mention of sexual assault.

At the start of Harley Quinn Season 5, Gotham City is still in tatters, which encourages Harley and Poison Ivy to move to Metropolis. However, a big part of that move revolves around Barbara Gordon (aka Batgirl). She was paralyzed by a bloodthirsty Joker in Season 4, all as the Clown Prince of Crime embraced his dark side again.

It set up a possible new take on Batman: The Killing Joke. Unfortunately, Harley Quinn hasn't gotten the subversion off on the best foot by not really addressing the consequences of what Clown Prince of Crime did.

How Did Harley Quinn Set Up Its Killing Joke? Joker Paralyzed Batgirl...

Warning: This article contains Spoilers for Harley Quinn season 5, episode 1Harley Quinn season 5 might not have been talked about much before its release due to the focus on James Gunn's DC Universe, but I have to say it will likely turn heads. I'm a fan of the show and the expanded universe it has created, which now includes a Kite Man spinoff series. That kind of worldbuilding, presenting a lived-in world from the start full of established heroes and villains, is exactly what Gunn is going for with the Dcu, and Harley Quinn could teach the franchise some lessons.

Harley Quinn is a 2019 film focusing on the titular character's evolution after severing ties with the Joker. As she seeks to establish herself as an independent force in Gotham City's criminal underworld, the film explores her journey toward becoming Gotham's criminal Queenpin.

Release Date  November 29, 2019Rating  TV-MAGenres  Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Animation,...

Warning: May Contain Potential Spoilers for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6!Darkseid has stormed into DC’s bloodiest Elseworlds saga, DC vs. Vampires, by taking out a major Justice League member in brutal fashion. But instead of mourning, I can’t help but celebrate the fall of this once-hero—and I’m on the edge of my seat to see which unfortunate soul the New God will take out next.

There’s one vampire death I absolutely can’t forgive Darkseid for if it comes to pass, and that’s Robin’s.

Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’s DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 delivers a pivotal moment as the war between Vampire Queen Barbara Gordon’s undead horde and Green Arrow’s human resistance reaches a boiling point. Amid the chaos of battle, Darkseid makes a surprise entrance, confronting Batgirl as she oversees the carnage from a cliffside with her vampire lieutenant,...

With the Bat-family disbanded, it’s time for Harley Quinn to return to some villainy. In “The Big Apricot” – the season 5 premiere – Harley and Poison Ivy continue their relationship. However, Gotham has gone to hell in the months since the Gotham City Sirens were formed. Setting up the new season, “The Big Apricot,” allows us to catch up with the ladies and follow them on their next adventure.

“The Big Apricot” – The Recap Related Harley Quinn (S5) Review – A Hilarious Satire Worthy of Gotham City

Harley (Kaley Cuoco) and Ivy (Lake Bell) walk through the wreckage of Gotham. The Batfamily has disbanded, Joker (Alan Tudyk) got impeached, and literal giant rats run through Gotham’s streets. Harlivy has not seen Barbara Gordon (Briana Cuoco) since the “implosion” of the Gotham City Sirens.

We flashback to the mission that Catwoman used to try to steal a jewel from Enchantress (Katie Rich...

The following contains spoilers for Sakamoto Days Season 1, Episode 1, "The Legendary Hit Man," now streaming on Netflix.

One of the most engaging facets of Sakamoto Days is how the lead character, Taro Sakamoto, is enjoying a retired life. He left behind the assassin fraternity in Japan, opting to become a husband to Aoi. Now, they're taking care of their daughter, Hana, and running a convenience store together. It's a mix of shonen anime action and slice-of-life stories.

To set the tone, the anime debuts with scenes that highlight how brutal and lethal Taro was back in his day. It adds context and frames the duality of his past and present. After just one episode, these poignant sequences build up an interesting direction once his sidekick, Shin Asakura, comes into play years later. As much as it'll be about Taro staying out of the hitman business, it's also remixing the DC...

Warning: This list contains discussion of extreme violence and sexual assault.

Heroes are nothing without their villains, and that is especially true under the DC Comics banner. How much the audience loves its protagonist is often decided by how much it hates the antagonist. When it comes to the "heels" of DC, they offer plenty of reasons for readers to hate them.

DC Comics has a tendency to go darker than its superhero universe counterparts, and that darkness offers more opportunity to deliver stories where the villains can be downright despicable. Rather than just plant bombs or indulge in cartoonish plots, DC's villains often commit despicable, even disgusting acts of villainy. Batman's rogues gallery alone is a threat to the entire DC Universe, but the universe at large is filled with grimy evildoers who have committed crimes that would make anyone clutch their pearls.

The Joker Tortures the Gordons Batman: The Killing Joke...

Warning: Contains Potential Spoilers for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6!

DC’s fan-favorite Elseworlds series, DC vs. Vampires: World War V, has just reached its midpoint, bringing major developments as some of DC’s most powerful beings join the human-vampire war on Earth-63. However, the pressing question remains: will the arrival of these all-powerful entities bring salvation—or total annihilation?

What began as a two-sided war between humans and vampires has now transformed into a chaotic three-front battle: humans vs. gods vs. vampires.

Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’s DC vs. Vampires: World War V hits a climactic midpoint in issue #6, where battle lines are officially drawn, and war erupts between Vampire Queen Barbara Gordon’s undead army and the Green Arrow-led Human Resistance.

While the series has been building toward this moment, it’s clear that this is neither the endgame nor the most pivotal battle the heroes will face.

Warning: May Contain Potential Spoilers for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6!Darkseid has just admitted that he sees one member of the Bat-Family as his equal. While it might seem obvious that Batman would be the one to earn the New Gods' respect, Darkseid is actually not referring to the Dark Knight. Furthermore, this revelation may unfold in an Elseworlds storyline, but its impact is just as significant as if it were part of mainstream continuity. After all, there’s only one Darkseid in the entire multiverse, meaning this acknowledgment of respect is coming directly from the main man himself.

Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’s DC vs. Vampires saga continues with its thrilling sequel, World War V, which has just reached its climactic midpoint with the release of issue #6. In this issue, the vampire-human conflict reaches a boiling point as all-out war erupts on the battlefield between...

Warning: May Contain Potential Spoilers for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6!We’ve all seen and read countless storylines that pit Batman against Superman, but a DC Elseworlds tale is finally giving fans the long-awaited showdown between Supergirl and Batgirl—and I, for one, am absolutely here for it. That said, I’ll admit I’m already booing and throwing tomatoes at Barbara Gordon for being the most cowardly cheater to ever exist.

...there’s something undeniably poetic about Supergirl, the embodiment of hope and sunlight, defeating a vampiric, sun-phobic Wonder Woman.

Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’s DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6 finally delivers the epic showdown the series has been building toward, as Green Arrow’s human resistance clashes with Vampire Queen Barbara Gordon’s undead army. Both sides bring their full might to the battlefield, complete with a roster of heavy hitters, including Supergirl as...

Warning: May Contain Potential Spoilers for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6!Batgirl has seen countless redesigns over the years, especially in her various Elseworlds incarnations, but she’s always remained recognizable as the Barbara Gordon we know and love. That is, until now. Her latest look is her most strikingly dark transformation yet, making her nearly unrecognizable—and solidifying her role as the "Ruler of Earth."

Her new look serves as an outward reflection of her internal evolution.

Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’s DC vs. Vampires universe has put Barbara Gordon through some dramatic changes, from a new Batgirl suit to becoming the queen of all vampires, and more recently, claiming the title of "Ruler of Earth." However, her journey to power hasn’t been without its challenges.

As fans who’ve been following the series will remember, her quest for control led to her being blown up...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for DC vs. Vampires: World War V #6!

Darkseid has officially arrived on Earth-63, a universe already ravaged by bloodthirsty vampires. This world was in dire straits even before the New God's arrival, with Earth's last heroes locked in a fierce battle against Vampire Queen Barbara Gordon and her vampire horde. Now, Darkseid’s presence guarantees that things are about to get even bloodier in this carnage-filled Elseworlds tale.

...Darkseid's god-level appetite for blood could unleash devastation not just on Earth-63 but across the entire multiverse...

Matthew Rosenberg and Otto Schmidt’s DC vs. Vampires: World War V has been subtly teasing the arrival of Darkseid through various plot developments and the introduction of characters tied to the New God, such as Granny Goodness, Scott “Mister Miracle” Free, Big Barda, and notably, Darkseid’s grandchild—the daughter of Mister Miracle and Big Barda.

As a result, his appearance...

The Batman films of the 1980s and 1990s introduced a whole generation to a swathe of classic DC characters; unfortunately, others were completely squandered. Warner Bros.’ initial four Batman movies introduced several memorable portrayals, like Michael Keaton’s brooding Batman and Jack Nicholson’s devilish Joker. However, they also squandered numerous opportunities with fascinating characters. Whether sidelined, underwritten, or mishandled, these characters represent what could have been.

The 1980s and 90s Batman movies began with Tim Burton’s gothic, noir take in 1989, before the more horror-inspired Batman Returns. Joel Schumacher was hired to direct the third entry, Batman Forever, dropping the overt horror tones for gothic until Batman & Robin, which killed the franchise until Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins. The films were defined by their visual flair and larger-than-life characters. Yet, the limitations of the time – ranging from studio interference to overstuffed scripts – meant many characters didn’t get their due.