Before the Marvel Cinematic Universe wowed a global audience, the DC Animated Universe provided a masterclass in world-building with some of the smartest and sharpest comic book adaptations ever created. From the still amazing Batman: The Animated Series to Justice League Unlimited, this shared universe of animated series should have been the blueprint for the DC Extended Universe today.
While the DCAU is technically still ongoing, with a feature film being released as recently as 2019, all the groundbreaking animated shows are long over. These are the quotes that prove it has the most fully-realized characters of any shared universe - animated or live-action.
Superman Is Over Batman
"You Know Something, Bruce? You're Not Always Right."
After Darkseid and Brainiac seemingly blow up in Justice League's "Twilight," Batman comments there's no way they could have survived. But these are Superman's foes; he knows they'll come back someday. He's sick and tired of Bruce acting like he knows everything.
Superman's portrayal in the DCAU is the perfect foil to Batman's dark neurosis, yet he is never treated like an overgrown Boy Scout. Rather, he's a person who struggles with trying to do good in a world that increasingly makes that harder. The line slyly flips expectations, making Batman the optimist and Superman the cynic.
Static Shock Has An Epiphany
"I've Been Carrying This Weight Around All My Life Without Knowing It, And Now It's Gone[...]In Africa, I'm Not A Black Kid. I'm Just A Kid."
On a family vacation in Ghana, Virgil experiences something he's never felt before: a sense of belonging. He's not targeted as "other" or "dangerous" as he might be back in the States, and the knowledge of that is liberating and comforting.
Even amongst DCAU's history of producing more mature content, Static Shock stood out for its weightier material that covered topics ranging from race, guns, violence, gangs, and cultural identity. This line stands out for its honest confession about a feeling that might be very hard for young Black people to vocalize - and likely even harder to explain to their white counterparts.
Lex Luthor Says It Like It Is
"Do You Know How Much Power I'd Have To Give Up To Be President?"
In a veiled reference to capitalism in JLU's "Question Authority," Lex laughs at the idea of becoming president - and he should. He has and always will have far more power as a businessman than as a politician.
Voiced by Clancy Brown, the DCAU's version of Lex Luthor was definitive. After dominating as the best villain in Superman: The Animated Series, the Justice League, and JLU creators utilized him brilliantly as a supervillain who could hold his own against the world's greatest heroes. This line - and its delivery - give the viewer so much context: Lex is a suave, near-omnipotent, and power-hungry tactical genius who can play the political game better than anyone.
Joker Calls Batman's Bluff
"Oh, Batman. If You Had The Guts For That Kind Of Fun, You'd Have Done It Years Ago."
After torturing, brainwashing, and mutilating Tim Drake in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker, Batman loses his cool and threatens to finally kill his greatest foe. But the Clown Prince of Crime sees straight through the empty threat.
Ironically, both Bruce and the viewer are aware that Joker is completely right. Some of the Caped Crusader's best storylines involve his outright refusal to kill his foes - for better or for worse. The dialogue proves Joker's innate understanding of Batman; he doesn't have to know his secret identity to get under his skin, push him to the edge of his moral limits, and hope that one day, he'll break his code.
Green Lantern Realizes Who His Real Friends Are
"You Believed In Me, Even When I Didn't Believe In Myself."
John Stewart is brought to trial in Justice League's "In Blackest Night" for a crime even he thinks he's guilty of. But Flash and the rest don't believe their teammate is capable of destroying an entire planet, eventually proving Green Lantern's innocence.
John doubts his worthiness while simultaneously proving it in his acceptance of responsibility. This was a character who could have faded into the background against the likes of the DC Trinity, yet DCAU made him one of the best versions of Green Lantern for his nobility and straightforwardness. In this touching moment, he realizes who his true friends are - the ones who will always have his back, even when he's at his lowest.
World's Greatest Comeback
"My Brain's Not A Nice Place To Be."
Facing Doctor Destiny alone in Justice League's "Only a Dream" after his teammates have fallen, Batman responds to the villain's taunt with this one-liner before turning the tables by humming an earworm that drives the criminal mad, proving it doesn't always take superpowers to save the day.
Batman's threat - and admittance - is self-aware, darkly comical, and tragically spot-on. For fans of BTAS, a show that explored Bruce's psyche deeper than probably any other medium before or since, the moment is especially ironic. The comeback also emphasizes that even more than his gadgets and physical training, Batman relies on his intelligence and quick thinking.
The Constant Everyman
"In The End, The World Didn't Really Need A Superman. Just A Brave One."
Inspector Daniel Turpin's murder by Apokolips in Superman: The Animated Series is one of the most emotionally resonant deaths in the DCAU. The character had been an integral part of the series for two seasons, and his passing was mourned by all - even Lex Luthor went to the funeral.
But no one felt the loss like Superman, whose initial fury fades into deep sadness. His humble nature shines through at Turpin's grave, where he notes with touching sincerity that his friend's bravery meant more than he ever could. The powerful quote speaks to Clark Kent's humility and integrity, qualities not traced to his alien roots, but his Midwestern upbringing.
Wonder Woman Conquers
"You Know, We Never Did Get To Finish Our Dance."
DCAU's version of Wonder Woman proves herself as intuitive as Batman in Justice League's "Maid of Honor," referencing an earlier moment in the episode in which they danced together as Diana Prince and Bruce Wayne.
On the surface level, the dialogue is telling the viewer that Diana knows Batman's secret identity. Yet the subtext is much deeper; she is warning him they still have unfinished business. This is a meta-comment on the decades-long on-again, off-again relationship between Wonder Woman and Batman that extends far beyond the DCAU. The line is simple, effective, and ripe with innuendo.
Advice From The Man Of Steel
"The Real Test Of Honor Isn't How You Die. It's How You Live."
Superman offers this guidance to Draaga in Justice League's "War World" after saving both of them from a gladiator-like existence on a planet that is akin to Thor: Ragnarok's Sakaar. Throughout the two-parter, Superman refuses to bow down to Mongul and participate in his savage games.
Superman's urging of Draaga to live a life outside of hate and violence is proof of why he will never lose his relevance. He's a symbol of hope for so many people; the gold standard of superheroes. As opposed to Batman's frequent martyrdom, Superman consistently chooses to live to make the world a better place - so when he does sacrifice himself, it is extremely powerful.
That Iconic Line
"I Am Vengeance. I Am The Night. I Am Batman."
Batman's reaffirmation of his crusade in BTAS' "Nothing to Fear" is arguably the most famous quote from the legendary series. In his first showdown with the Scarecrow, Bruce overcomes his fear of disappointing his parents and reminds himself of who he is and why he fights.
The beauty of the powerful line is that it can be interpreted as an avouchment, a promise, or a warning. This Redditor speculates Matt Reeves plans to use the quote as an outline for his potential Batman trilogy, symbolizing Batman's arc from vigilante to superhero. Either way, it was nice to see a nod to BTAS in a live-action Batman adaptation.