Which DCAU Season Is Considered The Best and Which DCAU Season Is Considered The Worst?

[Raider969]

Ok, don't get me wrong, I like all of the DCAU Seasons, even the ones people consider the worst. But which DCAU Season do people consider the best and which DCAU Season do people consider the worst? I would like to know, even though I like all of them.

 

[ABrown]

The first 26 episodes of Justice League Unlimited (whether you want to consider it one or two seasons is up to debate) is considered by many (including me) to be among the best. Though that 26th episode (Epilogue) gets a lot of backlash. It's one of my personal favorite episodes.

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

DCAU Season PEOPLE Consider The Best? I'm Going to say the general consensus is that the first season of Batman the Animated series of all DCAU seasons is the one people consider the best. Which granted is also super long at 65 episodes but considering how still beloved episodes like "Two Face" "Heart Of Ice" "Beware The Gray Ghost" "Robin's Reckoning" "Almost Got 'Im" etc etc still are and when talking about BTAS that's always what's spotlighted above everything else, I'd say that captured the average vote of fans. Which I guess is weird it's the first season of the first show but yeah people are especially attached to it growing up with it and having that sort of edge and uniqueness to it you wouldn't get in other shows or even other BTAS/TNBA seasons.

DCAU Season PEOPLE Consider The Worst? I guess you could argue this is a cheat but hey this is part of the DCAU so I'm going to say it; Season One of the Zeta Project. Like the Zeta Project in general is either forgotten by most fans of the DCAU or just generally seen as that lesser spinoff of a one shot character from Batman Beyond. Oddly enough the season where Terry actually makes a guest appearance probably is the weaker since season 2 tried I believe taking some more chances so it probably gets the overall highest edge.

DCAU Season I consider The Best? Justice League Unlimited Season Two. It took JLU season one a bit to really find it's footing and it had quite a few dud episodes in the mix ("Hawk And Dove" has a super preachy message for an action series they don't handle that well and though "Kids Stuff" is sort of cute it's a bit more cringe then really funny) but season two they really hit the ground running. This is where the Cadmus stuff and the overarching plot set up a bit in the first season hits it's stride and all the stuff connected to that be it the awesome usage of Billy Batson Shazam Captain Marvel in "Clash" to the huge 4 parter season finale with awesome twist after twist and then the Batman Beyond future "Epilogue" is just great great stuff. Even weaker episodes compared to the super high point of this season like "The Balance" and "Hunters Moon" are still really good and interesting and it just feels like the show and it's characters firing on all cylinders the most.

DCAU Season I Consider The Worst? Justice League Season One. I do feel that if you don't count Zeta Project (which some people don't do) this would probably also be seen as the weakest DCAU season and heck even the team behind it admitted they were in safe mode trying to figure things out as this is their first show dealing with an ensemble hero cast so trying to find the right balance at times were tricky. Which explains a lot of things like the pretty slow and uneventful pacing to the pretty routine fight scenes to how dirty Superman was done this season. Obviously the show does get better and IMHO it's a good thing when your first season if you have multiple seasons isn't your best but it is a step down from the rest of JL/JLU and honestly the DCAU as well since the shows that had a central hero working in them had better balance then this certainly did.

 

[Raider969]

The first 26 episodes of Justice League Unlimited (whether you want to consider it one or two seasons is up to debate) is considered by many (including me) to be among the best. Though that 26th episode (Epilogue) gets a lot of backlash. It's one of my personal favorite episodes.

I agree, Epilouge is actually my favorite episode of Justice League Unlimited.

 

[-batmat-]

It's a tricky question, because throughout the DCAU, different shows had different amounts of episodes per season. It's very difficult to compare BTAS season 1 (65 episodes) and BB season 1 (13).

I loved @Neo Ultra Mike 's post. Yeah, BTAS season 1 has some of the best episodes in the DCAU, but it's so big, you could also argue it has some of the worst ones aswell.

As far as best season, a season thats consistent and where most episodes were great, Batman Beyond season 1, Superman TAS season 1 and JLU season 2 first come to mind. Even though I don't mind it at all, and it seems like it's gone these days, I like that these seasons are not THAT episodic. Every episode is its own thing, but it feels still like one big story developing with each episode.

Worst season? JL season 1 and Batman Beyond season 2 first come to mind. Some great episodes in both, but a definite step down from other seasons from their series.

Have never watched Static Shock or Zeta Project

 

[Fone Bone]

The best? JLU Season 1 closely followed by JLU Season 2 and then Justice League Season 2.

The worst? Batman Beyond Season 2. Justice League Season 1 gets a lot of crap, but it was a solid foundation to build better things later on which is what a first season SHOULD do. Season 2 of Batman Beyond and Max are SO bad that show never recovered. Season 3 of Batman Beyond is MUCH worse than fans say it is for this reason.

DCAU Season PEOPLE Consider The Best? I'm Going to say the general consensus is that the first season of Batman the Animated series of all DCAU seasons is the one people consider the best.

That is definitely not the consensus. BTAS Season 1 had a TON of shaky as hell episodes. And most of the non TMS animation sucked.

 

[Neo Ultra Mike]

The worst? Batman Beyond Season 2. Justice League Season 1 gets a lot of crap, but it was a solid foundation to build better things later on which is what a first season SHOULD do. Season 2 of Batman Beyond and Max are SO bad that show never recovered. Season 3 of Batman Beyond is MUCH worse than fans say it is for this reason.

I do agree in a sense that Batman Beyond season 2 and 3 took a bit of a stumble (also getting rid of Blight after season one was a bad call as not having an overall big bad or sort of a theme or goal after setting one up in the first season did hurt the other two) but I still feel the general consensus not just our specific opinions is that those seasons still work. I admit it does depend on your tolerance on Max who... yeah can get grating in particular episodes but I don't think she's even in the show enough to personally ruin those two seasons fully for me. I can see that being the case for some others but everyone still stands as BB overall working and sitll ending on a high note. I guess you could argue that's because of Return of the Joker and JLU's Epilogue but still.

That is definitely not the consensus. BTAS Season 1 had a TON of shaky as hell episodes. And most of the non TMS animation sucked.

I also am not as harsh on the first season as you though I do feel it is massively overrated, but I'm talking about what most fans or people who have seen any of these DCAU thoughts because yeah most people generally start out with BTAS and that's the one that clicks with them. And that's why it's still celebrated and beloved and talked about and you have people reviewing and giving love to most of those episodes. You have to remember when we consider the general consensus we're talking about the majority of people and majority of people have either just watched BTAS or that's always the one they come back to so that's why I say its the overall favorite for a majority of fans.

 

[-batmat-]

Justice League Season 1 gets a lot of crap, but it was a solid foundation to build better things later on which is what a first season SHOULD do.

I feel shows like Superman TAS and Batman Beyond did that exact thing, while being awesome seasons at the same time, so I don't think that excuse is valid.

Funnily enough, specially with Batman Beyond, the following seasons were a bit hit and miss

 

[Fone Bone]

I feel shows like Superman TAS and Batman Beyond did that exact thing, while being awesome seasons at the same time, so I don't think that excuse is valid.

Funnily enough, specially with Batman Beyond, the following seasons were a bit hit and miss

I'm not saying the season is any good. I'm saying it's unfairly maligned and put in the same category as stuff that's much worse like the second season of Batman Beyond. It's not great. But it's okay and decent set-up for what comes later.

See that sole vote for Justice League: Season 1? That was mine. Yes, its quality isn't great but I have fond memories. Waiting to watch Injustice For All was the sole high point of the year in which I had brain surgery. I was barely mobile and temporarily lost most of my vision, but watching that episode was one of the high points of that ordeal.

 

[Ed Nygma]

I guess JL season 2 is the best, with season 1 being the worst. For me. Lot of ups and downs elsewhere.

I will say that although I really like JLU season 1, I thought the DCU changed and never recovered from Dwayne McDuffie's influence. He's a fine writer, but I didn't always dig his somewhat predictable style (purposely goes against tropes for nerd cred, tries to put adult situations in a toothless network cartoon) and the lame unfunny humor got dialed up to 11. It was just so different from the in-house 'style' of Dini, Burnett, etc. I can never fully embrace Unlimited because Dini was gone by then, he was my favorite. Episodes like Hawk & Dove and all those Roulette episodes were... not great. I just don't dig the humor ones like Kid Stuff, This Little Piggy and Date Night. I don't find them funny!

I agree Batman Beyond s2 is pretty meh; I really like season 1, but 2 was full of a lot of time wasting nonsense. We couldn't get one episode saying what happened to Two Face? 3 was a step up. Superman was just kind of there for the whole run, though I think Legacy is up there as one of the very best. If I could only have one season of one show it'd be the 65 episodes of BTAS, but I think it's fairer to split it into the DVD set seasons in this case.

 

[Fone Bone]

I guess JL season 2 is the best, with season 1 being the worst. For me. Lot of ups and downs elsewhere.

I will say that although I really like JLU season 1, I thought the DCU changed and never recovered from Dwayne McDuffie's influence. He's a fine writer, but I didn't always dig his extremely predictable style (purposely goes against tropes for nerd cred, tries to put adult situations in a toothless network cartoon) and the lame unfunny humor got dialed up to 11. It was just so different from the in-house 'style' of Dini, Burnett, etc. I can never fully embrace Unlimited because Dini was gone by then, he was my favorite. Episodes like Hawk & Dove and all those Roulette episodes were so, so bad. I just don't dig the humor ones like Kid Stuff, This Little Piggy and Date Night. I don't find them funny!

I agree Batman Beyond s2 is pretty bad; I really like season 1, but 2 was full of time wasting nonsense. We couldn't get one episode saying what happened to Two Face? 3 was a step up. Superman was just kind of there for the whole run. (though I think legacy is up there as one of the very best) If I could only have on season of one show it'd be the 65 episodes of BTAS, but I think it's fairer to split it into the DVD set seasons in this case.

See, I'm the opposite. I always found Paul Dini's jokes lame and Dwayne McDuffie's funny. I always cringed whenever BTAS told a joke. I always laughed whenever JLU did.

 

[b.t.]

See, I'm the opposite. I always found Paul Dini's jokes lame and Dwayne McDuffie's funny. I always cringed whenever BTAS told a joke. I always laughed whenever JLU did.

Everyone is (OBVIOUSLY) entitled to their opinion — but Paul Dini and Dwayne McDuffie not good writers? Well, there are actually people who don’t like The Beatles too, so okay…whatever…

As for BATMAN BEYOND, I do think it’s probably our most uneven series — lots of good episodes and unfortunately lots of really BAAAAD ones.

Keeping in mind I haven’t watched many BEYOND episodes in years, but I don’t think Season 2 was all that bad myself. I remember liking “Splicers”, “Earth Mover”, “Hooked Up”, “Terry’s Friend Dates A Robot”, “The Last Resort” and “The Eggbaby” a lot — and “Mind Games” is a stone classic.

Season 3 though — “Out of the Past” is another “All Time Favorite” and “The Call” two-parter is a fun romp. The rest of that season I may never intentionally watch again in my lifetime.

 

[Fone Bone]

Everyone is (OBVIOUSLY) entitled to their opinion — but Paul Dini and Dwayne McDuffie not good writers? Well, there are actually people who don’t like The Beatles too, so okay…whatever…

Dwayne McDuffie is a great writer.

As for BATMAN BEYOND, I do think it’s probably our most uneven series — lots of good episodes and unfortunately lots of really BAAAAD ones.

Keeping in mind I haven’t watched many BEYOND episodes in years, but I don’t think Season 2 was all that bad myself. I remember liking “Splicers”, “Earth Mover”, “Hooked Up”, “Terry’s Friend Dates A Robot”, “The Last Resort” and “The Eggbaby” a lot — and “Mind Games” is a stone classic.

Mind Games is severely underrated. Good for you for bringing it up.

Edit:

The Last Resort is awful for the same reason BTAS's "Lock-Up" is. Due to kids network restrictions the demonstrations of cruelty in authority are utterly toothless.

Hooked Up is forgettable. Terry's Friend Dates A Robot has always been popular with the writers, but I think it's actually as lame as its jokey title describes.

Earth Mover, Splicers, and Eggbaby are good.

Season 3 though — “Out of the Past” is another “All Time Favorite” and “The Call” two-parter is a fun romp. The rest of that season I may never intentionally watch again in my lifetime.

The Call is an utter mess. Superman's motivations make no freaking sense. I actually prefer Countdown to it as far as crossovers go.

 

[Yojimbo]

Superman's motivations make no freaking sense.

Because it wasn't his. It was Starro's.

 

[Fone Bone]

Because it wasn't his. It was Starro's.

No, man, STARRO'S motivations make no sense. If Superman is the traitor, why bring in Terry to catch him? Knowing he has access to the World Greatest Detective and all of his resources? Starro could have quietly taken over the world behind the scenes but instead puts a target on his back before he can get anywhere. Out of all the Starros I've seen the DCAU's is the dumbest.

 

[Raider969]

Everyone is (OBVIOUSLY) entitled to their opinion — but Paul Dini and Dwayne McDuffie not good writers? Well, there are actually people who don’t like The Beatles too, so okay…whatever…

As for BATMAN BEYOND, I do think it’s probably our most uneven series — lots of good episodes and unfortunately lots of really BAAAAD ones.

Keeping in mind I haven’t watched many BEYOND episodes in years, but I don’t think Season 2 was all that bad myself. I remember liking “Splicers”, “Earth Mover”, “Hooked Up”, “Terry’s Friend Dates A Robot”, “The Last Resort” and “The Eggbaby” a lot — and “Mind Games” is a stone classic.

Season 3 though — “Out of the Past” is another “All Time Favorite” and “The Call” two-parter is a fun romp. The rest of that season I may never intentionally watch again in my lifetime.

I know this is off topic, but I just have to get this out there:

OMG THE BRUCE TIMM HAS JUST REPLIED TO MY TOPIC, THIS IS AMAZING!

When I found out that you had an account here, I just had to follow you right away, in a good way. So thank you so much for noticing my topic and replying to it.

Your DCAU shows are the best shows on this Earth and I am glad you and your team made them.

 

[Yojimbo]

No, man, STARRO'S motivations make no sense. If Superman is the traitor, why bring in Terry to catch him? Knowing he has access to the World Greatest Detective and all of his resources? Starro could have quietly taken over the world behind the scenes but instead puts a target on his back before he can get anywhere. Out of all the Starros I've seen the DCAU's is the dumbest.

Well, this Starro wasn't really a super sentient o.p. supervllain like he is in the comics. Just an animal that got kidnapped and was trying to save itself albeit with its own convoluted logic. I took it since Starro was entering the final phase of its plan, he was working to making Batman (and later Bruce) part of Team Starro and would have taken him to the Fortress of Solitude and implanted him but stuck to the sequence of taking out who he considered his biggest threats first and thinking Batman would serve a dual purpose of giving his targets a distraction to focus on during the tension created by the attack on Micron instead of investigating and hopefully mess up the team dynamic that could be used to blame on more of them dying in the field. It then became another instance of 'insert name DC villain underestimates the main cast' writing where Starro got sloppy and didn't anticipate the Batmobile or Bruce would unravel things while he tried to take out Warhawk. And everything fell apart from there but luckily Aquagirl's empathy saved his bacon.

 

[Fone Bone]

Well, this Starro wasn't really a super sentient o.p. supervllain like he is in the comics. Just an animal that got kidnapped and was trying to save itself albeit with its own convoluted logic. I took it since Starro was entering the final phase of its plan, he was working to making Batman (and later Bruce) part of Team Starro and would have taken him to the Fortress of Solitude and implanted him but stuck to the sequence of taking out who he considered his biggest threats first and thinking Batman would serve a dual purpose of giving his targets a distraction to focus on during the tension created by the attack on Micron instead of investigating and hopefully mess up the team dynamic that could be used to blame on more of them dying in the field. It then became another instance of 'insert name DC villain underestimates the main cast' writing where Starro got sloppy and didn't anticipate the Batmobile or Bruce would unravel things while he tried to take out Warhawk. And everything fell apart from there but luckily Aquagirl's empathy saved his bacon.

Or alternately, the plot was super dumb and made no sense. I seem to recall discussing this on this site back in the day, and @b.t. admitted the episode was a mess after some defenses by people on this board that were the definition of "a stretch". Notice b.t. here calls it "a fun romp". He doesn't even pretend it's an actual solid story or episode. It's not. It bugs the crap out of me.

 

[Yojimbo]

Or alternately, the plot was super dumb and made no sense. I seem to recall discussing this on this site back in the day, and @b.t. admitted the episode was a mess after some defenses by people on this board that were the definition of "a stretch". Notice b.t. here calls it "a fun romp". He doesn't even pretend it's an actual solid story or episode. It's not. It bugs the crap out of me.

Eh, realistically, they can't all be gems. I'm not sure how they were able to juggle 3 to 4 shows at once, get everything done and ready to air, and remained sane. And yes, we all did discuss it back then and for the years to come.

 

[Fone Bone]

Eh, realistically, they can't all be gems. I'm not sure how they were able to juggle 3 to 4 shows at once, get everything done and ready to air, and remained sane. And yes, we all did discuss it back then and for the years to come.

No doubt. But Justice League Season 1 gets deserved crap for being an utter mess. Batman Beyond's The Call should NOT get a free pass there. Especially because it's a mess for many of the same reasons.