DC UNIVERSE NEWS: HARLEY QUINN ANIMATED ORIGINAL SERIES DEBUT DATE ANNOUNCED AT GRAND OPENING OF ART GALLERY POP-UP DEDICATED TO THE DELIGHTFULLY DERANGED SUPER-VILLAIN
Additional Live Action and Animated Shows Coming from Blue Ribbon Content to the Subscription Platform in 2020
Open Call for Unscripted Video Pitches and Launch of a New Robust Fan Community Initiative Rounded Out the Announcements During New York Comic-Con
DC Universe continues to deliver new content, robust community engagement, and real-world experiences to its members. During the grand opening reception of a new, pop-up activation titled, DCU HQ, the subscription service highlighted updates to the platform and previewed new content coming in 2020.
Timed to New York Comic-Con, the DCU HQ also includes an art retrospective dedicated to Harley Quinn and the character’s colorful history throughout animation, comics and film titled The Fantabulous Evolution of One Harley Quinn Gallery. Included in the gallery space are props from the hotly anticipated film Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of one Harley Quinn), in theaters February 7, 2020, from Warner Bros. Pictures: her fan-favorite Mallet, Harley Grenades, Fur-Covered Brass Knuckles, Black and Red Roller Skates donned by Harley Quinn herself for a hard-hitting Roller Derby scene, and many more never-before-displayed items.
In addition, many original art pieces are on display including, a development sketch of Harley Quinn for her first appearance in “Joker’s Favor”; original cel art from “Batman, the Animated Series”; comic book covers by Amanda Conner, Rachel Dodson and Jim Lee among others; plus original art by Bruce Timm and Amanda Conner created exclusively for the pop-up gallery.
The opening night festivities included a presentation featuring a line-up of DC executives, artists, producers and even Krypto was on hand, the fan-favorite super dog who will soon be appearing on the DC Universe original series Titans. The evening got underway with artist Jim Lee, DC’s Chief Creative Officer and Publisher, creating live art on the walls within The Fantabulous Evolution of One Harley Quinn Gallery.
DC UNIVERSE ORIGINAL SERIES AND EXCLUSIVES
Harley Quinn Debuts on November 29!
Executive Producers Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker were on hand to officially announce the premiere date for the original adult-animated comedy series Harley Quinn. DC artist Amanda Conner was on hand as well to share her inspiration to create some of the art that inspired the animated series. Her art is featured within the immersive pop-up installation at DCU HQ.
BizarroTV from Blue Ribbon Content
DC Universe announced a new anthology series, titled BizarroTV, that will feature fan favorite characters from the more obscure corners of the DC universe. This mixed media series is coming to DC Universe in 2020. Produced by Blue Ribbon Content, Warner Bros. Television Group’s digital production unit, this new show demonstrates the Television Group’s commitment to create original and compelling programs for the digital marketplace. Blue Ribbon taps into the Studio’s established creative team, while also identifying new and innovative talent to deliver cutting-edge series in the short form format. A showcase of experimental styles and creative voices and visions that will be a mix of live action and animation; deep cuts from the DC portfolio of characters such as Space Cabbie, Ambush Bug, Slam Bradley and the Creeper!
New Home Entertainment Releases
More WB Home Entertainment releases will be coming to DC Universe in 2020, particularly because the movies have been so popular with members. The most watched movie on the DC Universe to-date is the animated original Reign of the Supermen, which debuted on the service January 29, 2019. Due to its popularity, even more home entertainment movies will be coming in 2020, including Wonder Woman: Bloodlines, Superman: Red Son and Justice League Dark: Apokolips. These original animated movies will be available on DC Universe just 90 days after their physical release date.
DC IS FOCUSED ON GIVING BACK TO ITS FANS
DC You Unscripted
In another fan first, DC Universe unveiled a partnership that – for the first time – provides DCU members the opportunity to create an unscripted series that has the opportunity to launch on DC Universe.
“Since the launch of this service just over a year ago, we’ve established a community that has far exceeded our ambitions. We’ve hosted unforgettable member events – creating places and spaces where fans could have a voice. We’re working to take it to a whole new level in our second year by giving our fans an opportunity to submit their own concepts for an unscripted show that will potentially become a series on DC Universe next year,” commented DC Universe Senior Vice President and General Manager, Sam Ades.
Abe Mohammadione, Vice President of Creative & Production for Ideas United, presented the new initiative designed to harness the creativity and talent of DC fans and unleash a new unscripted concept and video series. DC Universe, in association with Ideas United, kicked off DCYou Unscripted, inviting emerging creators and dedicated fans alike to submit unscripted series ideas, drawing on all things DC. SEE FULL PRESS RELEASE HERE.
New Community Engagement
Many DC Universe members are familiar with Jackie Cole as the Community and Rewards Manager and oft-moderator in the DC Universe community. She provided an overview of the new features launching on DC Universe this month. New features will be available to members starting on October 23, 2019 as a part of “Community Week”, a special event for members on the service. It will include special guests and top-notch creators from comics, TV, animation, and more, who will join the fun by participating in Q&As, book club discussions, live Watch-Alongs with behind-the-scenes insights and deep dive explorations of the shows and scripts. Community week will kick off with a Q&A with Titans series star, Anna Diop.
The upgrade is a meaningful evolution of the platform in direct response to member feedback. The new features will give fans more opportunities to interact, participate in live Q&A’s with DC talent, find their niche fandom with comic book and fan clubs, earn badges and level up for even more exciting opportunities and exclusive rewards.
“DC Universe is designed to deliver an unparalleled experience in video, comics and conversations with the intent to give fans a voice and a shared sense of place in the DC world,” said Ades. “Now, in its second year of service, our plans to evolve have turned to breaking down barriers between fans and creators and fulfilling our promise to deliver the ultimate fan experience digitally online and offline.”
Comic Books
Jim Lee wrapped up the evening with a rundown of data pulled from comics readership patterns on the service. DC Universe members have read over 9.5 Million comics on the platform to date, just over this inaugural year. That’s about 395,000 comic books read each month! With the ability to read comics page-by-page or auto-play on a big screen – members are guzzling comics on the service.
The top comic on DCU is DC Universe: Rebirth No. 1 (2016). And it is no surprise that The New Teen Titans (1980) No. 1 comes in as the second most-read comic.
Speaking of favorite characters, the titles most read on the service coincide with hard-to-find classics, including Batman from 1940, as well as Injustice: Gods Among Us from 2013.
Here are the top five books that dominate:
Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013)
Batman (1940)
Batman (2016)
Batman (2011)
Injustice 2 (2017)
News Recap: Coming Soon to DC Universe
Original animated series Harley Quinn will debut on November 29, 2019.
BizarroTV is a new anthology series created in partnership with Blue Ribbon Content which will be exclusive mixed media content provided specifically for DC Universe.
Home video releases coming to DC Universe in 2020 include: Wonder Woman: Bloodlines, Superman: Red Son and Justice League Dark: Apocalypse.
New community features will launch during “Community Week” on October 24, 2019
DC Universe in partnership with Ideas United announced DCYou Unscripted, inviting emerging creators and dedicated fans alike to submit unscripted series ideas, drawing on all things DC.
Artist Amanda Conner unveiled a new Harley Quinn original art piece created exclusively for The Fantabulous Evolution of One Harley Quinn Gallery immersive pop-up installation at DCU HQ. Conner also revealed the cover art for a new Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey comic book coming in February 2020.
