David Farnor | On 29, Jun 2018

DC Universe is officially launching this August, with live-action series lined up including Titans, Doom Patrol and Swamp Thing.

DC Universe will launch publicly on Saturday 15th September. Click here to find out more about the launch line-up.

The subscription streaming platform, which is being produced by Warner Bros. Television and DC Entertainment, was first unveiled last year, eyeing a release date at some point this year. Now, DC has confirmed that it will first open its doors to US fans this August, promising “a first-of-its kind, immersive digital experience”.

Content, as always, is the cornerstone of the platform, with all-new original live-action and animated series available to watch, alongside classic TV series and films. Short-form news, interviews and previews in daily video segments will keep fans up-to-date on the latest from all corners of the DC universe. There will also be a curated selection of digital comic books, an expansive DC-centric encyclopaedia, and access to exclusive merchandise. The community within the platform will be a place where members can rate, create and share their own personalised playlists of their favourite heroes and villains, as well as earn premium rewards and participate in sweepstakes and contests.

The operation of the platform will be managed by Sam Ades, general manager and senior vice president, Warner Bros. Digital Networks, based in Burbank. The digital media executive formerly served as the senior vice president, direct to consumer, for DC Entertainment, where he was responsible for creating and executing DC’s digital marketing strategy.

“Developing new ways for consumers to access some of our most popular and iconic brands and franchises as well as exclusive new content whenever they want, on the devices they choose, is one of our studio’s top priorities,” says Craig Hunegs, president, Warner Bros. Digital Networks.

“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,” adds Jim Lee, chief creative officer and publisher, DC Entertainment.

Fans can sign up today for an opportunity for beta access, which will open in August 2018. Beta access will give members a chance to test the new digital experience and provide valuable feedback on the early version of the service before it goes live later this fall 2018.

Original live-action series on the way include Titans, Doom Patrol and Swamp Thing, while original animated series include Young Justice: Outsiders and Harley Quinn.

Developed by Warner Bros. Television, Swamp Thing and Doom Patrol are scheduled to debut in 2019, following the dramatic, live-action adventure series Titans which premieres later this year. Warner Bros. Animation is also developing a slate of animated TV series based on existing fan favourites, including Harley Quinn and the highly anticipated third season of the popular Young Justice: Outsiders animated series, which are both scheduled to debut in 2019.

Here’s the rundown:

Titans

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.

Doom Patrol

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.

Swamp Thing

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.

Young Justice: Outsiders

Young Justice: Outsiders features the return of the fan favorite 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

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.

Older Films and Series

An assortment of DC’s most beloved superhero films will also be available at launch for exclusive streaming windows, including all four original Superman movies as well as a selection of epic 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.

Comics

The 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. A curated selection of thousands of DC comics will include the first 1938 Action Comics that introduced Superman to the world as well as Detective Comics #27 which first introduced Batman in 1939. Other titles include Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s iconic Justice League (2011), Swamp Thing (2011) written by Scott Snyder, and Harley Quinn (2013) written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Amanda Conner. Rotating selections will cater to both members new to comics and passionate fans looking for hard-to-find titles.

 

DC Universe will be available in the United States at launch on iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV, as well as the web and mobile web. To learn more and register for an opportunity for beta access, visit dcuniverse.com.

 

DC Universe: DC streaming service unveils official name and Swamp Thing series

3rd May 2018

DC has officially announced the name for its new subscription streaming service: DC Universe.

The platform, which is being produced by Warner Bros. Television and DC Entertainment, was first unveiled last year, eyeing a release date at some point this year. Now, DC has confirmed that it will be called DC Universe, promising “a first-of-its kind, immersive digital experience designed just for DC fans”.

“One of the many incredible things your membership will include is unlimited access to exclusive original series,” reveals DC Universe’s new official site.

Three of these have already been announced: a third season of the animated series Young Justice, a new live-action drama, Titans, based on Teen Titans, and an animated Harley Quinn series.

In Young Justice: Outsiders, the teenage super heroes of the DC Universe come of age in an animated world of super-powers, super-villains and super secrets. Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!, Justice League Action) is executive producer of Young Justice. Brandon Vietti (Batman: Under the Red Hood, Superman Doomsday) and Greg Weisman (Star Wars Rebels) are producers of the series.

Titans will follow a group of young soon-to-be heroes recruited from every corner of the DC Universe. In this action-packed series, Dick Grayson emerges from the shadows to become the leader of a fearless band of new heroes, including Starfire, Raven and many others.

Titans will be written by Akiva Goldsman (Star Trek: Discovery), Geoff Johns (President & Chief Creative Officer, DC Entertainment) and Greg Berlanti (Arrow).

Quinn, which was announced in November, is a half-hour adult action comedy, centred around the titular character, played by Margot Robbie in Suicide Squad. Exec-produced by Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker, and Dean Lorey, 26 episodes of the series have been ordered.

The ultimate DC membership is coming, thanks to @TheDCUniverse. Sign up here for updates on exclusive original series and more: https://t.co/MByVfpK2CH #DCUniverse pic.twitter.com/lT4uyshLH7

— DC (@DCComics) May 2, 2018

Joining them will be a third original series, a live-action show based on Swamp Thing.

Adapted from the comics by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson, the one-hour drama will be written by Daredevil’s Mark Verheiden and It’s Gary Dauberman, who will serve as showrunners. James Wan will exec-produce the show, under his Atomic Monster banner, alongside Michael Clear and Rob Hackett as a co-exec producer.

The drama follows what happens when CDC researcher Abby Arcane returns to her childhood home of Houma, Louisiana, in order to investigate a deadly swamp-borne virus. There, she develops a surprising bond with scientist Alec Holland — only to have him tragically taken from her. But as powerful forces descend on Houma, intent on exploiting the swamp’s mysterious properties for their own purposes, Abby will discover that the swamp holds mystical secrets, both horrifying and wondrous — and the potential love of her life may not be gone after all.

There is still no launch date for the subscription service yet, but Titans is expected to premiere later this year, while Swamp Thing is expected to be released in 2019.

Here are the new logos for all four series, which were also unveiled today:

 

DC launches new streaming service with Titans and Young Justice

26th April 2017

DC is launching a new streaming service for comic book fans, and Titans and Young Justice will be leading the line-up.

Warner Bros. Television and DC Entertainment unveiled their new plans today. The digital platform, which will by operated by Warner Bros. Digital Networks Group, will launch in 2018, giving DC a direct-to-consumer service through which to deliver content. This is the first time DC has decided to launch its own in-house service, rather than release programmes such as Arrow on The CW in the US and on Amazon Prime Video in the UK.

How the new service will work, what it will be called and where it will be available is not yet clear, although DC clearly has ambition for it to be more than just a video library, promising “an immersive experience designed just for DC fans”.

Nonetheless, two key titles will be at the centre of the service’s appeal: a third season of the animated series Young Justice and a new live-action drama, Titans, based on Teen Titans.

In Young Justice: Outsiders, the teenage super heroes of the DC Universe come of age in an animated world of super-powers, super-villains and super secrets. In the new season, the team will face its greatest challenge yet, as it takes on meta-human trafficking and the terrifying threat it creates for a society caught in the crossfire of a genetic arms race spanning the globe and the galaxy. Equally praised by critics and viewers, Young Justice has reached more than 25 million unique viewers in each of its two seasons on Cartoon Network.

Sam Register (Teen Titans Go!, Justice League Action) is executive producer of Young Justice. Brandon Vietti (Batman: Under the Red Hood, Superman Doomsday) and Greg Weisman (Star Wars Rebels) are producers of the series, produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Emmy Award winner Phil Bourassa (Young Justice) serves as the series’ art director.

Titans will follow a group of young soon-to-be heroes recruited from every corner of the DC Universe. In this action-packed series, Dick Grayson emerges from the shadows to become the leader of a fearless band of new heroes, including Starfire, Raven and many others.

Titans will be written by Akiva Goldsman (Star Trek: Discovery), Geoff Johns (President & Chief Creative Officer, DC Entertainment) and Greg Berlanti (Arrow). Goldsman, Johns, Berlanti and Sarah Schechter (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow) are executive producers of the series from Weed Road Pictures and Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television.

Both series are in early stages of production and will air exclusively on DC’s new service in 2018.

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