For my expanded thoughts on DC Universe, feel free to keep reading. There will be spoilers.
DC Universe is a specialized streaming service similar to Disney+ or Netflix. As the name indicates, it exclusively contains content centering around DC and its superheroes. Its most prominent elements are the ability to read a wide range of classic comics and watch original TV shows.
Several of DC’s most popular comics are featured on the service, from Crisis on Infinite Earths to Batman Hush. The comic book reader is similar to the one used by comiXology, with the option to read each comic by either page or panel. The only downside is no recent comics are available to read, with the latest issues being from a year prior. For example, you can now read Heroes In Crisis but not Doomsday Clock #12.
As for the visual content, it primarily consists of DC’s animated series and films such as Batman: The Animated Series, Batman Beyond, Justice League Vs The Fatal Five, and Batman: Bad Blood. For the former two, their recent HD remasters were first made available on DC Universe prior to their respective Blu-ray releases. The Batman, a far more recent series, is oddly only available to stream in 4:3 even though it can be bought on digital providers such as Apple and Amazon with the original 16:9 aspect ratio.
There are some live action films and series, including The Flash (1990), Birds of Prey (2002), Tim Burton’s Batman, and Superman: The Movie. What is not available to watch are more recent productions such as The CW’s The Flash and films like Man of Steel, Aquaman, or Teen Titans Go! To The Movies.
As for their original content, it is overall OK.
Titans: A live action adaption of the Teen Titans superhero team.
DC Daily: A talk show highlighting the latest from the company’s comics, films, and TV shows.
Doom Patrol: A live action adaptation of the obscure superhero team with Cyborg.
Swamp Thing: A live action horror adaptation of the titular character sadly canceled soon after its premiere.
Young Justice: A direct continuation of the short-lived Cartoon Network series with far more mature moments.
Harley Quinn: A raunchy animated series starring Kaley Cuoco (The Big Bang Theory) as the titular character who breaks up with The Joker (Alan Tudyk) and goes out on adventures with her best friend Poison Ivy.
Stargirl: An upcoming live action adaptation of the titular superhero.
Each of these shows are made for very niche audiences. Those who grew up watching either of the Teen Titans series or many films will enjoy Titans. Fans of Young Justice will be glad to see a third season (as well as an upcoming fourth) of the show. Similar statements can be made about the other shows.
It is also the streamer’s major flaw. Compared to other streaming services, it pales in comparison with both content and value.
Disney+, for example, has a wide range of original and classic content from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic for only $6.99 a month. DC Universe, on the other hand, has a handful of original shows with a catalog of older shows and films but only from DC for $7.99 a month.
Even HBO Max, the upcoming streaming service from its corporate owner AT&T will have far more content not only from DC and HBO but also The CW and the rest of Warner Bros. The second season of Doom Patrol will be streaming simultaneously on both streamers. In addition, Stargirl will air on The CW a day after each episode premieres on DC Universe. With those decisions, it appears AT&T is sabotaging the streamer before it can pickup any traction.
To make matters worse, DC Universe is only available in the United States. The only show available globally is Titans on Netflix, falsely branded as a “Netflix Original”. In Canada, some of the shows air on regular cable channels: Harley Quinn on [adult swim], Young Justice on Teletoon, and Doom Patrol on CTV Sci-Fi.
Warner Bros has released the shows on Blu-ray and DVD sometime after they finished airing their seasons. Fans may prefer to simply wait and buy the season sets as opposed to paying for yet another streaming service.
When compared to other services, DC Universe is not a good streamer. It fails by limiting itself only to content from DC, most of which is already available to buy or watch elsewhere. While the comics may be beneficial for anyone wanting more than the films and shows, it lacks recent releases.
If you are a fan of any of the shows and want to be the first to watch, then it is worth buying either a monthly or annual subscription. Otherwise, just wait until it is eventually merged into HBO Max.
DC Universe is only available in the United States.
In a budget cutting move from DC, DC Daily has been canceled on the DC Universe streaming app.
DC Daily, has seen a number of hosts come and go. From Hector Navarro to Clarke Wolfe, Samm Levine and Sam Humphries, Whitney Moore and Amy Dallen. The show started in 2018 and offered insight into everything DC from comics to shows and movies.
