There have been different interpretations of classic DC characters and storylines, but the DC Animated Universe has become one of the most cherished adaptations that’s full of amazing versions of DC’s best. Pop culture has entered a period where superhero adaptations are the norm and even C and D-list characters are getting their own series and movies.
The DC Animated Universe has experienced a lot of changes across the past few decades, but it’s become a great destination for some extremely unconventional DC performances. These animated versions can be a mixed bag, but even when they’re at their worst, there is still usually something significant to pull from the performances.
10 Nailed It: Malcolm McDowell Becomes The Definitive Metallo
Superman: The Animated Series from the 1990s is largely considered to be one of the definitive takes on the Man of Steel. The animated series effectively catches the sense of awe and wonder that’s essential to Superman’s character. Malcolm McDowell is an accomplished actor and he’s lent his voice to some truly intimidating animated characters, like Death in Castlevania.
McDowell brings this same respect to Metallo, who goes through a gamut of emotions. McDowell accentuates Metallo’s raw pain, but his confusing transformation and evolution are delicately present across McDowell’s nuanced voice acting.
9 Fell Short: Melissa Rauch Falters In Comparison To Her Harley Quinn Competition
The DC Animated Universe has taken a lot of pivots over the years as different DC properties have connected in different ways. Batman and Harley Quinn is a recent DC animated film that features many of the voices from Batman: The Animated Series, but a major change is The Big Bang Theory's Melissa Rauch stepping in as Harley Quinn.
Rauch’s performance is decent, but her casting just comes across as unnecessary and sensationalist. Arleen Sorkin’s work in the role is iconic and even Kaley Cuoco’s more recent interpretation of the part exhibits a better understanding of Harley than Rauch displays.
8 Nailed It: Clancy Brown Taps Into Lex Luthor’s Full Range Of Emotions
Lex Luthor is a difficult villain to properly portray and there’s a deceptive complexity to the evil genius that’s often hard to display. There have been some talented actors to step into Luthor’s shoes.
However, Clancy Brown’s work in Superman: The Animated Series and across the original Justice League DCAU efforts is just unreal. Clancy Brown is no stranger to playing villains and has the range to portray both SpongeBob Squarepants’ Mr. Krabs as well as Superman’s arch-nemesis. Brown never turns Luthor into a caricature and his pain and frustration feel real.
7 Fell Short: Keri Russell Goes Through The Motions As Wonder Woman
2009's animated Wonder Woman attempts to be a big-budget spectacular and features a star-studded voice cast that contains people like Nathan Fillion, Rosario Dawson, and Alfred Molina. Keri Russell leads the pack as Wonder Woman and it's a casting choice that just never comes together.
Russell is a phenomenal actress, but this feels like an instance where her star power played more of a factor than anything else. Curiously, Russell was apparently cast after her performance in Waitress was seen, which isn't exactly the best embodiment of any side of Wonder Woman or Diana Prince.
6 Nailed It: Mark Hamill’s Joker Has Set The Standard For The Clown Prince Of Crime
There are plenty of complex and tortured villains from the DC universe, but the Joker has turned into a centerpiece that’s viewed as one of the most psychologically taxing roles to portray. There is a growing number of Joker performances, both in live-action and in animation, yet none feel quite as iconic as Mark Hamill’s work in Batman: The Animated Series.
Hamill’s performance is so strong that it’s become the standard and he simultaneously portrays a playful and terrifying side of the villain. Hamill’s work is even more impressive since his voice sounds completely foreign from his regular vocal register.
5 Fell Short: James Marsters’ Lex Luthor Doesn’t Intimidate Metropolis
Most genre fans are likely familiar with James Marsters for his memorable performance as Spike throughout Buffy and Angel. Marsters has a passion for voice acting and has turned up in some surprising places, including anime. In theory, Marsters isn’t a bad choice to play Lex Luthor, but he overthinks the character’s menace and the result is a very lackadaisical Lex Luthor.
Marsters' performance is just in Superman: Doomsday, which makes Luthor a pivotal player, but he never feels like an actual threat. Marsters’ efforts to make Luthor come across as calm and malevolent just come across as muted.
4 Nailed It: Michael Ironside Makes The Power Of Darkseid Sink In
One of the biggest obstacles when it comes to certain DC villains is that it’s difficult to connect with threats that are on a scale significant enough to take out Superman. Villains like Doomsday and Darkseid are extremely powerful and visually upsetting, but it’s difficult to truly understand them.
Michael Ironside portrays Darkseid across the original DC Animated Universe entries and he highlights just how darkly poetic this villain can be. Ironside’s baritone voice makes for a natural Darkseid, but he doesn’t sleepwalk through the role or reduce him to a simple tyrant that’s hungry for revenge.
3 Fell Short: Ben Mackenzie as Batman in 2011's Batman: Year One Is A Messy Misfire
Stunt casting can sometimes beautifully subvert expectations, but at its worst, it just creates an awkward experience that sticks out. Ben Mackenzie rightfully earns his place in the Batman universe for his role as a young Commissioner Gordon in Gotham.
Mackenzie has voiced Gordon in an animated DC entry, but Batman: Year One tries to go even further and make him the star. It’s easy to see the thought process behind Mackenzie’s role as Batman in Batman: Year One, but it just doesn’t work and he can’t find the right energy for this disaffected version of the character.
2 Nailed It: Tim Daly Elegantly Captures Both Sides Of Clark Kent & Superman
There’s a lot of attention that’s thrown towards Kevin Conroy’s rendition of Batman in the DCAU, and rightly so, but Tim Daly’s complementary work in Batman: The Animated Series’ sister series is even more impressive. Tim Daly understands the weight on Superman’s shoulders and the different directions that his life pulls him in.
Daly’s work as Superman becomes even more important and polished throughout Justice League and Justice League Unlimited where he commands the presence of a perfect leader. There have been a lot of flashy A-list voice actors who have since voiced Superman, but Daly effortlessly embodies the character.
1 Fell Short: Thomas Gibson Shouldn’t Be Anywhere Near An Assassin Like Deathstroke
Son of Batman is sometimes too gritty for its own good, but it does an impressive job with its exploration of the complex relationship between Batman, Dick Grayson, and Damian Wayne.
There's a lot to unpack in this story and Deathstroke's presence is one element that never fully works. Deathstroke establishes himself as a threat to both the League of Assassins as well as the Bat-Family and Thomas Gibson of Criminal Minds and Dharma & Greg fame is not the man for the job. His attempts at a cold and gruff Slade Wilson feel inauthentic.
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