Summary
James Gunn’s DCU is already at full throttle. But another DC realm, “Elseworlds,” also under his supervision as co-CEO of DC Studios, will be getting a more refined differentiation from the mainstreamDCUby way of its ownanimated opening logo.
DC Comics has been in the habit of releasing standalone stories and alternate issues that didn’t follow the canon continuity, most famously withKingdom ComeandSuperman: Red Son. The past few years have seen the release of several Elseworlds film projects, such as the adult animated TV show,Harley Quinn—which recently launched its fifth season—Joker,The BatmanandThe Penguin. However, there was no official designation of the universe, and the birthing of a new DC Universe threatened to confuse the general audience as to the timeline of DC events, both canon and otherwise.
Future Elsewords Projects Will Have an Opening Logo
In response to a fan’s question on why certain non-DCU projects likeThe PenguinandHarley Quinndidn’t have the new DC Studios logo or fanfare attached,James Gunn on Threadsreplied that although all film projects from DC now fall under the DC Studios banner, executive change amidst other factors didn’t permit inputting a DC Studios fanfare for older projects likeHarley Quinn.“All DC television & film projects are now under DC Studios. Because Harley Quinn was developed long before us we didn’t think it was fair to put the DC Studio fanfare on there. On Penguin, which we had a small hand in developing, we have a different DC Studios [animation] at the end,” he said. The filmmaker also added:“We’re currently working on the DC Studios Elseworlds opening.
This wouldn’t be the first time eitherGunn would be addressing the Elseworlds issue. In late 2023, he decried inconsistency with the former DCEU, further stating that although the DCU would be the home of most DC stories, occasional Elseworld tales would pop up, but they would have to be “exceptional.” He iterated this intention a year later, on theHappy Sad Confused podcast,emphasizing the importance of creative flexibility in exploring alternate versions of DC characters through Elseworlds stories. Likewise, in the same year, Safran clarified the DCU’s timeline during the announcement of its first chapter, “Gods and Monsters.” He explained that while the DCU exists within a multiverse, the primary focus would be on a single universe from that multiverse, and that “if something isn’t DCU, we’re going to make that very clear.”
As of now, it is unclear what James Gunn intends to use for the DC Elseworlds brand. However, his choice of Joe Shuster’s Superman breaking the yoke of chains as his new logo for DC Studios, proves, once again, that he loves to go classic. It’s unlikely he would choose another Superman-themed emblem for Elseworlds. Given thatBatman effectively launched the Elseworlds imprintwithBatman: Holy Terrorin 1991 and remains central to its success with celebrated titles likeBatman: Gotham by GaslightandBatman: Red Rain, fans wouldn’t be surprised if Gunn opts for a Batman-focused animated montage of heroes to introduce the Elseworlds sub-universe.
