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What we're watching in February
This week in IRL Mariella Moon takes some time to consider the lasting impact of Netflix's Fyre Festival documentary. Separately, Mat Smith explains why DC's Titans show is worth a watch -- especially if you don't need to pick up a new streaming subscription -- and Dan Cooper investigates the surprising success of Seth McFarlane's The Orville.
DC Universe's expanded comic book catalog includes 'Wonder Woman'
DC Universe only has so many original shows to go around, and that means you'll need something else to do if you're going to justify that subscription. Thankfully, more is on the way. The service has unveiled the first major expansion of its comic book collection since launch, and it's vowing to "more than double" the size of the catalog by the end of March. It's not dumping obscure titles, either -- these are frequently comics aficionados will know.
'Doom Patrol' will stream on DC Universe on February 15th
DC Universe has locked in a premier date for its second live-action original series, Doom Patrol. The show, described as a reimagining of one of DC's strangest group of outcast superheroes, will land on the streaming service on February 15th, 2019. Picking up after the events of that other DC original, Titans -- which wrapped its first season today -- Doom Patrol finds the reluctant superheroes heeding the call of Cyborg to set out on mission that will forever alter their lives. You can check out the show's first teaser trailer below.
DC Universe starts streaming on Amazon's Fire TV
DC Universe just closed a glaring gap in its device support. The comic-based streaming service is now available through Amazon's Fire TV devices, giving you another way (and in some cases, a cheap way) to catch up on Titans in the living room. It's best-suited to video, of course, but DC and Warner Bros also say that you can read comics, shop and socialize while you're lounging on the couch. A subscription will still cost you $8 per month or $75 per year.
DC Universe's 'Young Justice: Outsiders' premieres January 4th, 2019
DC Universe finally has the premiere date for its first show after Titans. The company has announced that Young Justice: Outsiders' third season will reach the streaming service on January 4th, 2019. The teaser clip says precious little about the continuation of the story, but it does offer a peek at a sinister alien planet.
The Joker and Harley Quinn are going to wreak havoc in 'PUBG'
The world of PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds is colliding with the DC Universe. The Joker and Harley Quinn -- the Jared Leto and Margot Robbie versions from Suicide Squad -- will be making an appearance in PUBG as playable character skins that will be available sometime soon.
Genre fans are getting milked by streaming services
Like Thanos at the end of Infinity War, Marvel has culled some of its Netflix universe, canceling both Iron Fist and Luke Cage in the past few weeks. That leaves Daredevil and Jessica Jones as the remaining Defenders on the streaming service, plus spinoff property Punisher. The company promised that this wasn't the last time we'd see either hero, just that it was the end of their respective shows "on Netflix," fueling speculation that they'd be heading to Disney's upcoming streaming service. Now we'll have to cough up even more money if we want to keep up with the continuing adventures of Luke, Colleen, Misty and maybe Danny. (Ed. note: Nobody wants to keep up with Danny.)
DC's 'Titans' trailer previews a dark and gritty superhero saga
DC Comics has launched its own streaming service, called DC Universe, and its flagship show will be the dark and gritty Titans, which features young Robin gathering a team of superheroes. DC also announced that the show has already been picked up for a second season and released a new trailer for New York Comic Con.
Netflix will be home to DC's 'Titans' outside of the US
DC Universe's streaming service is limited to the US for now, but that doesn't mean you'll be locked out of its flagship show. Netflix has reached a deal with Warner Bros. to stream Titans outside of the US, giving people in most countries (outside of China, where you can't watch Netflix) the chance to see Robin gather his band of young superheroes. There's no specific date for when the show will reach international audiences, although it makes its DC Universe debut on October 12th.
DC Universe is going live on September 15th
DC Universe, the comic book giant's exclusive streaming platform, is officially going live on this year's Batman Day. The digital subscription service opened limited access to its beta version in August with the promise of a wider release this fall -- now you only have to wait a couple more weeks before it opens its doors to everyone on September 15th. If you've been looking forward to Titans in particular, though, we're afraid you won't see it anywhere on the platform on launch day: the series will officially begin on October 12th, 2018 after Warner Bros. Television's premiere screening on October 3rd at New York Comic Con. Its first season will have 12 episodes, and each one will be released every week.
DC's streaming service will feature a daily news show
We've known about DC Comics's streaming service, called DC Universe, for some time now, but as it gears up for launch we're learning more about what's in store for subscribers. Today, DC Comics revealed that actor/director Kevin Smith will host a special preview of a daily news show on the service called DC Daily. The release says, "DC Daily will offer fans entertaining news and insights, exclusive guest appearances, interviews and panel discussions with some of the most knowledgeable voices in the DC universe." It will be hosted by a rotating set of people.
A live-action 'Stargirl' series is coming to DC's streaming service
When DC officially announced its own streaming service, we couldn't help but ask whether it could offer enough content to justify its $8-per-month pricing. For loyal fans, the price is probably worth it, because in addition to old Batman animated shows and movies, it will serve as the exclusive home to the comic giant's originals. DC's Geoff Johns has revealed one of those originals during his spotlight panel at SDCC 2018: a live-action series based on teen superhero Stargirl.
DC's comic streaming service beta launches August 2018
After a seemingly never-ending series of teases, DC is ready to formally unveil its comic book-themed streaming service... most of it, anyway. DC Universe is now official, and will launch beta access this August with a wider debut in the fall. It'll be available on the web, Android and iOS as well as living room platforms like Android TV, Apple TV and Roku. There's still no mention of pricing, but you'll at least know what to expect when the service goes live.
DC's streaming service has a name and a new show
DC's streaming service is no longer quite so mysterious. The unlimited video offering is now called DC Universe (not to be confused with the DC Extended Universe), and has a landing page to whet your appetite. There's a new show to go alongside the announcement, as well -- DC has unveiled Swamp Thing, an adaptation of the classic comic series. This version has CDC researcher Abby Arcane studying a swamp virus in Louisiana and falling in love with fellow scientist Alec Holland, only to 'lose' him. Needless to say, he isn't really gone -- and he's key to fending off "powerful forces" that want to use the swamp for nefarious ends. It premieres sometime in 2019.
More action-packed DC Universe screens released
Sony Online Entertainment isn't letting up with the DC Universe Online screenshot assault, and today's patch features a number of iconic characters and locations from the forthcoming superhero beat-'em-up. Now, we know the word "iconic" sends many of you into convulsions, particularly when uttered in the same sentence as SOE, but in this case there's simply no way around it. When you've got the Joker sucker-punching Batman in the Batcave, Bane flexing his muscles, and interior shots of Arkham Asylum, Metropolis City Hall, and various locations in between, it's really the only word that seems to fit. Take a peek at our gallery below for all of the action, including a Gotham City exterior and another PvP shot. %Gallery-106857%
DC Universe directors talk ranged vs. melee combat
Sony Online Entertainment is going absolutely video crazy with DC Universe Online. Not that we mind of course. The latest release is a new edition of Inside the Studio, hosted by game director Chris Cao and creative director Jens Andersen. The dynamic duo are here to answer your Facebook-submitted questions, and they touch on everything from maps and city exploration to the game's headline system and combat mechanics. Most of the time is devoted to combat, of course, as player skill and combat customization are clearly DCUO's talking points. The directors have some interesting things to say about ranged vs. melee combat, even going so far as to indicate that melee is the more important of the pair. "What we found that gave the most satisfying superhero experience is really a big brawler. But it's a brawler with ranged weapons," Cao says. If that makes you scratch your head like we scratched ours, keep watching, as it starts to make a bit more sense as the discussion continues.
Chris Cao talks mentors and progression in DC Universe
SOE's Chris Cao has checked in with Gamespot via a video interview that details several different aspects of the upcoming DC Universe Online superhero action MMORPG. Right off the bat, the goal is to immerse the players in the rich history of the license by choosing an established DC Comics superhero as a mentor during character creation. Meta-based heroes might follow Superman, for example, while tech-based players will initially look up to Bruce Wayne's caped crusader alter-ego. Cao also talks a bit about the game's progression. Every even level you'll advance your powers, first by choosing a base power like fire and then expanding on it as you level. Initially you'll be setting people on fire, then detonating anything that's on fire, followed by the ability to spread fire. "Every other level you'll get to choose more of those types of abilities," Cao says. Every odd level you'll choose skills, which are based on your weapon or your movement style. Skills basically give you combos, whereas powers give you the iconic, superhero-ish abilities you've come to expect in a comic-inspired game. Check out the video, and the extensive gameplay footage, after the cut.
