Usually when the phrase “streaming service” comes up you think “watch movies and TV” and leave it at that,  however with DC Comics’ upcoming DC Universe platform they’re looking to change up the streaming game as we currently know it. When DC initially advertised the DC Universe as such, most just took it in as an advertising gimmick, but on June 28, 2018 when DC released more info as to what DC Universe will eventually become and what it’s offering it’s perception took turn. Not to say that people weren’t already somewhat invested with the previous advertising campaign, but the thirty second trailer DC showed really spoke a clearer message of what they had planned for the service.

As I said the trailer is only about thirty seconds long, and it really does a solid job of providing us with a tale of the tape of sorts when comparing DC Universe to your average premium streaming service such as Netflix & Hulu, both of which offer nothing more than exclusive and syndicated films and TV programs to subscribers. Instead of just “providing the average” DC is going in a much more “all-in-one” orientation of it’s service to give you an idea of the full run down of what’s slated for DC Universe I’ve written some key bullet points below:

• Exclusive TV shows both live-action and animated with Titans being a launch series
• Access to DC Comics’ back catalog of films and TV shows, again both live-action and animated including some released in HD for the first time
• Members only merchandise store with exclusive DC Universe merch
• An interactive encyclopedia; most likely used to help newcomers get accustomed to current continuities
• A members forum featuring DC staff connecting with fans
• Access to both classic and modern DC Comics comic books from Action Comics #1 to The New 52 continuity which will cycle comics in and out
• Prizes such as event tickets just for being members of the service
• Available for iOS, Android, Apple, Roku, and Amazon devices (no word on Playstation or Xbox atm)

One of my absolute most favorite features detailed in the press release is the aspect of offline viewing. Granted, the press release’s language seems to suggest that this is currently only for the digital comics being offered, but it’s entirely possible that offline viewing will somehow be available for the films and TV shows as well. Netflix recently made their TV shows and films available for offline viewing via download, and I’m kind of expecting DC to do something of the same.

Comic book access with offline viewing alone makes DC Universe attractive as hell.

Along with the above trailer DC released a second extended trailer a day or so later this time going more in-depth with what it plans to offer it’s consumers along with showing off it’s proposed UI on multiple devices. Obviously the odds of it being the finalized UI are slim, but from the demo showcased in the trailer the interface looks clean and fairly organized. It kind of reminds me of the Xbox UI in a weird way. The transition between screens and devices look seamless enough so I don’t expect their to be much trouble switching over from one device to the next, hopefully DC will allow viewers to save their place as they sign on to another device.

Exclusive merch including figures will be up for grabs for DC Universe members.

While DC Universe looks fairly impressive in it’s current state, there are some worries and concerns that I’m having issue with. For example the price, we’re nearing the end of launch and we still have heard nothing about it’s price point. One should remember that DC Universe is being advertised as a themed premium subscription service with a ton to offer outside of the streaming, with that being said DC shouldn’t be looking to compete with Netflix or Hulu at least not now, especially with the delays of Young Justice: Outsiders & Harley Quinn both of which were originally set to launch this year. With the former launching alongside Titans which is currently DC Universe’s only original program slated for release at launch now. Unless they can somehow soft launch a revival of the 2003 Teen Titans or move an unannounced Arrowverse series to the launch of the service that’s not a whole lot to go on a hefty price point for the crowd who are strictly looking to access of the TV and film side of things. In my opinion a decent price range would be somewhere in between $5-$15 that sounds fair for everything with the unfortunate lack of original content.

NBC’s Constantine is currently the only Arrowverse series set for DC Universe.

Another concern is licensing, especially when the Arrowverse comes into play. Currently, the Arrowverse is being streamed on Netflix including the recently released Black Lightning so how will that catalog of shows fit into the DC Universe lineup? Will they be pulled from Netflix, Amazon, etc and move to DC Universe indefinitely? Or will WB provide some kind of shared license for the streaming rights to these? I’d have to imagine that WB would be more inclined to do the former it’d at the very least make DC Universe more appealing from the group that already enjoys these shows. Right now Constantine, which consisted of only a pilot season before being cancelled on NBC is the only Arrowverse show present on DC Universe, but that’s not too surprising. It should be noted that both the TV and film versions of Constantine have been pulled from streaming on Hulu and Netflix respectively, so this should give you an idea of what WB plans on doing with the remaining Arrowverse shows once able. Outside of the Arrowverse there were other shows missing from the sample list DC gave out to press, this could have been done just for the sake of keeping it short however. And comics seem to be rotating in and out over time, the key here will be just how many issues & volumes will be offered across the multiple continuities and arcs offered.

Classics such as Superboy, Superman I-IV, and Wonder Woman will be made available on DC Universe.

As it stands DC Universe is promising, but when one of it’s biggest selling points is lacking original content DC has to be careful with how they handle the launch, especially in regards to price. For the time being they should settle at being a complimentary premium service in addition to DC fans already subscribed to Netflix, Hulu, etc, and then move on to potential competition next year with 2019 having a much stronger launch lineup for original content. This is all not citing of course DC having some more tricks up their sleeves that they’re saving directly for the launch of the service.