DC Super Hero Girls has been the entry point into the DC Universe for young girls since 2015. It was conceived as a cross-marketing line tying toys and comics into an animated web series. All aspects became popular and endured, becoming a recognizable part of many childhoods.
In 2019, it was retooled by My Little Pony creator Lauren Faust. The new series restarted the concept with a retooled cast that included new characters in a metropolis that resembled more of a real city. The high school was now also filled with regular students as well as the superhero girls.
10 Original: The Action Figure Line
For many years, it's been the rule that boys play with 6-inch action figures, and girls play with 12-inch dolls. DC Super Hero Girls had a line of both, but the action figures became noticeable because of their articulation and playability. There were a few playsets, such as Super Hero High itself, Harley's bedroom, and Batgirl's van. Unfortunately, there were not as many characters that got their action figures that got the 12-inch doll treatment.
However, being at the 6-inch scale, they were on the same scale and had similar articulation and styling as the line of Miraculous action figures. Naturally, there was also some crossover in the audience for the two shows. They shared a weakness in some of the joints, but it was amazing that girls had action figures marketed to them instead of fashion dolls alone.
9 New: Cultural Diversity
While the original didn't shy away from diversity, the new version practically embraces it. Jessica Cruz is prominently featured with her accent fully in effect and not hidden. Her ethnicity is also not a focus of any stories around her. Bumblebee is there as well, and later in the first season, Katana joins the cast, too.
It doesn't stop there. For Catwoman, Faust went to homage the actress Eartha Kitt's portrayal of the character. While it's not made a big deal, Aqualad's last name is Bernstein, insinuating that he's Jewish. The current series fully embraces diversity whenever possible.
8 Original: Heroes Out Of Villains
In the original, almost from the first episode, it was very noticeable that several of Wonder Woman's classmates were known to long-time comic fans as villains. Harley Quinn, Frost, and Poison Ivy were just some of the villains that were now learning to become superheroes.
It's not that there weren't villains. Later episodes even acknowledged some of the reformed villains serving in the administration and faculty. The villains became more serious as time went on, especially in the made-for-DVD movies.
7 New - Villains Are Villains
It may seem like a contradiction, Lauren Faust's interpretation does an excellent job of keeping characters that are traditionally villains as foils to the Super Hero Girls. However, the villains remain a little more developed. Poison Ivy and Harley maintain secret identities as classmates, even finding stuff in common with some of the super-heroes.
When the villains get together, they seem to take joy in their actions, making for a wonderful bit of fun in acts of villainy. Their other big appearance in costume is as victims of Katana's soul taker sword. It gives the superhero girls a chance to prove their virtue by working to save them. It also provides the show a great moment of humor as the villains wake up in Barbara's room.
6 Original: The Movies
Three movies expanded on the world established in DC Super Hero Girls. The very first one told a story that involved Dark Opal, the villain of the Amethyst series, working with Eclipso. The Intergalactic Games expanded into the more cosmic characters of the DC Universe, including Starfire's sister, Blackfire.
There were even two movies made with Lego versions of the characters. While they were, like most Lego animated series, a feature-length commercial for toys, they also had stories that entertained kids and parents alike. The characters also remained true to their animated counterparts.
5 New: Invinci-Bros
While the show is centered around the Super Hero Girls, the male heroes have created their team. Rather than be the "Super Hero Boys," they have named themselves the Invinci-Bros. There's a wonderful balance of bravery and incompetence with them.
A few of them have shone in episodes. Aqualad is genuinely sweet and likable. Green Arrow/Ollie Queen has a wonderful dramatic flair. Hal Jordan has a cockiness that highlights Jessica Cruz and her different take on super-heroics.
4 Original: Unexpected Stand-Outs
The series was designed to focus on Wonder Woman, Supergirl and Batgirl. However, some characters started to jump out and almost demand more screen time. Beast Boy began to see more and more stories as he bounced off of the girls well.
It seemed the more Starfire showed up, the more she demanded to be included. She even had a story that was a major point of the Intergalactic Games movie. Looking at the offerings of the action figures and dolls over the years could see where the demand was among the newer characters.
3 New: Supergirl
Supergirl's character in 2019 is so different from how she was portrayed in the original series. Now she is brash and reckless. She's easily is the most powerful of the Super Hero Girls, but many times she has to admit that she can't do everything.
It was in the episode "Power Surge" that Supergirl realizes that she isn't well regarded by the general public. This also gives the series a chance to acknowledge the character of Power Girl by having Kara play the role of "Supergirl's double from a parallel Earth." This couldn't have been done in the original series.
2 Original: An Expansive Cast
Over four years, the number of students at Super Hero High expanded significantly. In the last season, we got Raven, Mera, Big Barda, and Damian Wayne. There weren't many heroes or villains that we hadn't seen.
Coincidentally, we didn't see some of the biggest names in the DC Universe. There was no Superman or Batman appearance. Darkseid was mentioned but never shown. There was plenty of room for more character development, but it didn't get a chance to happen.
1 New: The Artistic Design
The original, for all of its strengths, had a bit of cookie-cutter design. The new series has a variety of sizes and shapes for the characters. The girls themselves all have different clothing styles and with Bumblebee and Aqualad, we see that not everyone is the same size and body shape.
In the original series, the colors remained very bright, and almost every time, adventures happened during the day. In the reboot, the stories can and sometimes do happen at night. The style by itself is different enough, but this element underscores that.