Top 10 Animated DC Shows That Exceeded Expectations

This series saw Batman teaming up with a colorful cast of heroes for more light-hearted adventures than we had previously seen. While some fans gawked at the idea of making Batman funny, Bruce Wayne’s sardonic wit felt surprisingly natural, and goes down as one of our favorite interpretations of the character. Injecting some levity into the proceedings also ended up providing a refreshingly new outlook on the well-tread mythos of the Dark Knight. For what initially seemed like a horrible misfire, the show’s clever storytelling, zany humor, and wacky characters gave us an all new reason to love the Caped Crusader.

Despite the near-impossible task of fielding comparisons to the 2001 series that shares its name, “Action” proves itself worthy of bearing the mantle of DC’s hero lineup. And it does so with a rather short runtime. Due to short episodes, the show employed a breakneck pace, but that didn’t mean less content. In fact, it boasted a staggering roster of heroes, from classic favorites like Superman, to oft-forgotten picks like Stargirl and Firestorm. This light-hearted take on the eponymous organization captured a grand feel while incorporating a new style that embraced the fun of slamming action figures together. Basically, it delivered everything we wanted from a new animated take on the Justice League.

After a failed expedition to the big screen in 2011, Green Lantern’s brand wasn’t exactly setting the galaxy on fire. But despite waning public interest, this CG series proved there were still good stories to be told with the Green Lantern Corp. By doubling down on out-of-this-world action and complex characters, the short-lived show managed to highlight all the strengths of the property in one heroic package. Most were ready to jettison him into space. Yet the cartoon’s immersive world, its stellar voice acting, and its examination of morality reminded us why Green Lantern deserves a spot in DC’s universe.

For all intents and purposes, this show should have been a disaster. It embraced change like few others before it had. Villains were completely redesigned, Bruce Wayne was younger, and it broke off from the established continuity of previous animated shows. But against all odds, it proved that a fresh take was just the kind of reinvention the Bat needed. By daring to forge its own canon, the series was given greater creative freedom to experiment with new stories and characters. It was still the Dark Knight we all knew and loved, but there was a fresh stamp on the material. That stamp succeeded in making “The Batman” a standout among the crowded field of DC animation.

At one glance, it’s easy to see this show marked a visual departure from anything similar that came before. Breaking out of the stylistic mold of past DC shows, “Teen Titans” embraced a more anime aesthetic, making frequent use of exaggerated expressions and flashy action sequences. Despite a more comedic edge, it also tackled some of the darkest and most impactful stories in DC’s catalog. The perfect blend of fun heroics and high stakes made it an instant success - yet few could have predicted its staying power. Even the most ardent fans couldn’t have foreseen the series' becoming a generation-defining representation of DC at its best.

There was a lot of pressure on this adaptation - after all, it represented a groundbreaking moment for Black superheroes taking the lead. Alongside changes to the source material, such as a new suit and a younger Virgirl, there was also a case of rising fan skepticism to contend with. But it seemed there was little need for concern, since the series earned both high ratings and glowing reviews. It helped that it was more than static and spandex; it tackled complex societal topics in a way few other superhero cartoons could. “Static Shock” proved so popular that it had people clamoring for more comic books - if that isn’t a badge of approval, nothing is.

It’s no easy task following up one of the most iconic DC series of all time, especially when there’s a new face behind the cowl. That’s right - in this continuation, an elderly Bruce Wayne has passed the Batarang to troubled teen Terry McGinnis. But by including Bruce as a mentor figure, it’s clear the show isn’t trying to make Terry a copy of the Caped Crusader that came before, and it’s all the better for it. It creatively updates the Dark Knight’s classic story beats, and really finds its footing in its unique cyberpunk aesthetic and villains like Inque. “Beyond” stakes its claim as its own creation, and deserves recognition as a bold and exciting expansion of the Batman mythos.

We’ve never seen sidekicks like this before. “Young Justice” provided a glimpse to how it really feels to live in the shadow of older, more experienced crime fighters. However, the concept did raise some eyebrows - how can a show create any tension if the Justice League is just a call away? Luckily, clever plotting, personal conflicts, and engaging character dynamics showcased the exciting potential within the group. And it seemed audiences couldn’t get enough of this ragtag team of JV heroes. After an abrupt cancellation, fan demand eventually led to a revival. While the show was axed once more in 2022, the journey had us more than “whelmed”.

After acclaimed solo outings, the idea of a single show balancing an entire team of heroes led to justified worry from some fans. Of course, there was nothing to fear - the titular team’s animated series goes down as one of DC’s classics. Despite the expanded cast, the show maintained its strong characterization, all the while balancing fleshed out story arcs and nuanced conflicts. Bigger isn’t always better, but “Justice League” was able to earn each and every team up with an equally grand adventure. Nonstop thrills, exciting team dynamics, and iconic villains helped this series succeed in every metric, cementing its place as one of the greats.

Raunchy, bloody, hilarious, and surprisingly comics accurate - there has never been a DC show like this before, and there may not ever again. DC has typically targeted younger audiences, but “Harley Quinn” marked a straightforward foray into adult content, and it’s hard to deny the results. For anyone wondering whether Harley could sustain a show to herself, or whether DC could smoothly transition to adult animation well, the answer is yes. Despite all odds, this show hit a home run. It’s a mix of exciting violence, gut-busting hilarity, and top-tier talent that creates a perfect encapsulation of what makes this character so memorable. Take that, Mista J.