The DC Animated Universe features some of the greatest animated TV shows of all time, including Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, and Justice League Unlimited. From 1992 to 2006, eight animated series explored a version of the DC Comics universe with Superman and Batman at the forefront of most stories.
Over the course of those eight series, certain episodes from different shows contained some narrative overlap. From one series to another, multiples episodes contained similar stories of time travel, mistaken identity, alien invasions, or the exploration of alternate universes. Regardless of the similarities, these episodes explored common themes in unique and entertaining ways.
10 "Brave New Metropolis" And "A Better World" Explore Alternate Universes
The multiverse has become a pretty common term within the superhero community, especially after films like Spider-Man: No Way Home and TV series like The Flash and Loki. Multiverses also play huge roles in DC and Marvel comics, but in the DCAU, alternate universes were rarely explored.
In Superman: The Animated Series' "Brave New Metropolis," Lois Lane was accidentally transported to another universe where Superman ruled over Metropolis with Lex Luthor. In Justice League's "A Better World," the League became the Justice Lords, and similarly governed the world with iron fists. Both episodes explored alternate universes where a few different choices led heroes to become villains.
9 "Injustice For All" And "Secret Society" Introduce Anti-Justice Leagues
Two stories that were both featured in the original Justice League animated series actually have many similarities. "Injustice For All" was a two-parter in the first season that featured the formation of Lex Luthor's Injustice Gang. Gorilla Grodd formed his own team of villains in the season two episode "Secret Society."
Luthor's Injustice Gang members were at each other's throats while Grodd's Secret Society was a well-oiled machine that forced the League to consider their own tactical strategies. It's ironic that Luthor and Grodd would become rivals in Justice League Unlimited, pitting their villainous teams against each other.
8 "His Silicon Soul" And "Identity Crisis" Focus On Batman And Superman Duplicates
Batman and Superman primarily battled villains like Joker and Lex Luthor in their respective animated series, but each hero sometimes encountered weird villains like H.A.R.D.A.C. or Bizarro. H.A.R.D.A.C. was an advanced computer that created an android version of Batman that returned in "His Silicon Soul."
In STAS's "Identity Crisis," Bizarro was originally a Superman clone who believed he was the genuine Man of Steel, even after cellular degeneration changed his appearance. The Batman android also believed he was the real Dark Knight. Both duplicates were less villainous, and more tragic. Their realities were shattered after learning the truths about their origins.
7 "New Kids In Town" And "The Once And Future Thing" Are All About Time Travel
Time travel stories are always wild and entertaining. BTAS was a very grounded show, but Superman introduced many science fiction elements to the DCAU. The episode "New Kids in Town" introduced the Legion of Super-Heroes when Chameleon-Boy, Cosmic Boy, and Saturn Girl traveled back in time to Smallville to help a teenage Clark Kent fight a time-traveling Brainiac.
The JLU two-parter "The Once and Future Thing" saw Batman, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman travel to the past to stop a time-traveling thief known as Chronos. Both episodes hinted at the ramifications of altering history and both expanded the DCAU timeline.
6 "Spellbound" And "Dreams In Darkness" Warp Perceptions Of Reality
Bruce Wayne and Terry McGinnis both faced some mind-bending illusionists during their tenures as Batman. During BTAS, Batman faced the Scarecrow many times, but "Dreams in Darkness" was a memorable episode that featured some of the greatest scenes of the series. Batman is admitted into Arkham Asylum after succumbing to Scarecrow's fear toxin.
In the Batman Beyond episode "Spellbound," Spellbinder hypnotized Terry into believing he was fighting zombies that weren't really there. Both heroes ignored what they saw with their own eyes and pushed through the illusions to stop their villains.
5 "The Man Who Killed Batman" And "Hereafter" Explore The Deaths Of Heroes
In the BTAS episode "The Man Who Killed Batman," a small-time criminal named Sid "The Squid" apparently killed Batman. Villains like the Joker dismissed the claims, but eventually held a funeral for the Caped Crusader. In the JL two-parter "Hereafter," Superman was seemingly killed by Toyman. The League and the world held a funeral for Earth's greatest hero.
Both episodes explored the apparent deaths of the two biggest heroes in the world. However, "Hereafter" was a dark, somber episode that showed Superman fighting his way back to his original life. "The Man Who Killed Batman" was a fairly comical episode where the Joker gave the eulogy at Batman's funeral.
4 "Secret Origins" And "Starcrossed" Showcase Alien Invasions
When the showrunners jumped from Justice League to Justice League Unlimited, the format of the episodes changed. JL stories were always told in two or three parts, which allowed for deeper, more epic narratives. The series premiere and finale were both three-part episodes that featured alien invasions.
"Secret Origins" brought the League together, showing the DCAU origins of Wonder Woman and Martian Manhunter. The aliens blatantly attacked major cities. In "Starcrossed," Thanagarians came to Earth under the guise of angels, but soon executed a plan to take over the planet. The invasions were a great way to bookend the series, showing how much the team had grown from one global crisis to the next.
3 "Eclipsed" And "The Call" Present Mind-Controlled Justice Leagues
The Justice League contains some of the most powerful individuals in the universe. Thankfully, they use their powers for good. Justice League's "Eclipsed" and Batman Beyond's "The Call" two-parters both explored scenarios where the League was mind-controlled by evil entities.
In JL, the League was slowly corrupted by a crystal called the Black Heart, leaving only the Flash unaffected. In Beyond, the League of the future, including Warhawk, Big Barda, and an older Superman, was possessed by Starro. The planet-conquering, alien starfish had only Terry McGinnis to oppose it.
2 "You Scratch My Back" And "Double Date" Present Odd Pairings
Batman and Catwoman had a will-they-won't-they relationship for much of the original animated series. In The New Batman Adventures, Catwoman expressed interest in Nightwing. Catwoman thought she was using Nightwing to get what she wanted, but in reality, Nightwing was working with Batman to expose her crimes.
In the JLU episode "Double Date," Huntress enlists the help of the Question to get revenge on the crime boss who killed her parents. Green Arrow and Black Canary also intervene. Both episodes featured new pairings between popular characters and both featured surprising endings: Nightwing turned on Catwoman, and Huntress refused to kill the crime boss.
1 "Perchance To Dream" And "For The Man Who Has Everything" Reveal The Heroes' Desires
"Perchance to Dream" is widely considered to be one of the best episodes of Batman: The Animated Series. Bruce Wayne wakes up in a Gotham City where his parents survived, he's engaged to Selina Kyle, and Batman is an entirely separate entity. It's a life he's always dreamed of, but inconsistencies add up and Bruce eventually snaps back to reality.
Similarly, the JLU episode "For the Man Who Has Everything" is also a fan-favorite. Mongul gifts Superman with the Black Mercy, a plant that infects its host's mind with illusions of a perfect life. Superman dreams of his family on a Krypton that never exploded. He also fought his way back to reality in a tragic scene with his imaginary son.