Though the COVID-19 pandemic has put a hold on big blockbuster releases, the DC Extended Universe is set receive multiple new entries in the near future.
Zack Snyder's Justice League is just weeks away from dropping on HBO Max on March 18th. Even though the film isn't likely to receive an in-universe cinematic sequel, it was at one point on track to receive a comic book spinoff .
The Suicide Squad is also set to come out later this year, releasing simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max on August 6th. The film will introduce a whole swath of new characters to the DCU, largely including minor villains from the borders of the comics world.
Having been pushed by a few months, The Batman will now be making its way into theaters on March 4th, 2022. The film recently got a comics-inspired poster , taking clear cues from an iconic cover of Batman: Year One .
Each of these films shows a clear connection to its comic book roots, something that DC seems to only be emphasizing more and more...
DC MOVIE CHARACTERS PICK UP THE COMICS
In this year's edition of the DC Essential Graphic Novels guide (a resource for fans looking to find entry points into comics) via Bleeding Cool , characters from across the DC film landscape can be seen gracing the cover.
Wonder Woman appears decked out in her sparkling gold armor from Wonder Woman 1984 alongside Robert Pattinson's version of the Caped Crusader. The version of Starfire from the Teen Titans Go! animated series and film is also present, right behind a Harley Quinn clearly inspired by her look in The Suicide Squad .
The four are featured prominently, all heads deep in some classic DC graphic novels.
A COHESIVE UNIVERSE OF CHARACTERS
As the DCEU mounts its cinematic comeback, it makes sense that the comics world would work to reflect past and upcoming films. This image is a fun way to celebrate both the modern incarnations of these characters and their more classic renditions from the world of comics.
In the past, both DC and Marvel Comics have undergone visual redesigns to have characters more closely mirror their cinematic counterparts. This usually functions as a way to draw in new readers by showing that, even on the page, the heroes of the screen exist similarly. In that vein, this tease could possibly indicate future design changes, or at least a desire to acknowledge the work being done in the worlds of film and television.
Either way, it's clear that DC is ready and willing to use its comics output to promote the wide range of mediums in which its characters may appear.
