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HBO’s DC series do not all take place in the same continuity. Creature Commandos and Peacemaker season two are part of the new connected DC Universe (DCU); The Penguin belongs to Matt Reeves’ separate The Batman saga. Lanterns is planned as another DCU series, with a mystery intended to feed into the larger film-and-television story.
What “connected to the DCU” means
DC Studios makes both shared-universe projects and stories set apart from that continuity. In its January 2023 announcement, DC described the new DCU as one universe within a larger multiverse, and said other stories would be identified as Elseworlds. The studio also said animation, television, films and games could intertwine within the DCU. DC’s announcement therefore makes the key distinction: a DC or DC Studios label alone does not mean a series shares continuity with the DCU.
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Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part 2 (Blu-ray) | $16.09 | Buy on Amazon |
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Joker (Blu-ray) | $7.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths Part 1 (Blu-ray) | $9.27 | Buy on Amazon |
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Batman, The (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray) | $17.63 | Buy on Amazon |
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Batman, The (Blu-ray) | $13.88 | Buy on Amazon |
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Where each series fits
| Series | Continuity | Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Creature Commandos | Connected DCU | An early animated entry in the shared universe. DC’s series page identifies James Gunn as its writer and executive producer. DC’s series page |
| Peacemaker season one | Mostly carried forward into the DCU, with adjustments | Season two retains most of season one, but reporting on the season-two premiere describes changes to some details. GamesRadar’s report on the premiere |
| Peacemaker season two | Connected DCU | A bridge into the new continuity. Reporting on the season’s stated placement puts it after Creature Commandos and Superman. |
| The Penguin | Separate from the main DCU | Continues the crime saga begun in Matt Reeves’ The Batman; it is not a DCU spin-off. DC describes it as a continuation of that saga. DC’s series page |
| Lanterns | Planned connected DCU | Its mystery is intended to lead into the broader story told across DCU films and television. DC’s August 11, 2025 update described an Earth-based detective premise and an expected HBO and HBO Max release in 2026. DC’s August 2025 update |
Is The Penguin in the DCU?
No. The Penguin is a DC Studios production, but its story continues the world of Reeves’ The Batman, rather than the shared DCU continuity. Gunn described The Batman as its own thing, separate from the shared-universe slate. DC’s 2023 slate announcement and the series description support that distinction. DC lists The Penguin as an eight-episode series; that episode count does not change its continuity status.
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Most of season one carries into the DCU, but it is not accurate to assume every detail remains unchanged. GamesRadar’s report on the season-two premiere describes revisions, including a change involving the superhero team that appeared in season one’s finale. That is secondary reporting about a season-specific adjustment, not a general official statement that the whole first season has been erased. Read the premiere report.
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How does Creature Commandos connect to Superman?
Creature Commandos is positioned as an early animated story in the connected DCU, rather than a separate animated continuity. That fits DC’s stated plan to link animation with live-action stories. Gunn said in the 2023 slate announcement that television, movies and games would intertwine in the same universe. The available continuity map places Peacemaker season two after both Creature Commandos and Superman; it does not establish a more granular episode-by-episode viewing order.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to expect from Lanterns
Lanterns is announced as a DCU series, not a separate Green Lantern continuity. Gunn and Peter Safran described its central mystery as leading into the larger story across films and television. DC’s August 2025 update called it an Earth-based detective story and said it was expected on HBO and HBO Max in 2026. That date and platform are a dated plan, not a guarantee of the eventual release schedule or regional availability. See DC’s announcement.
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DC recommends Green Lantern: No Fear and Green Lantern #87 for readers who want background on Hal Jordan and John Stewart. These comics are optional context, not prerequisites for following the announced series or understanding which continuity it belongs to.
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A quick way to assess a DC series
- Check continuity: Is the project explicitly part of the connected DCU, or described as its own saga or Elseworlds story?
- Check the relationship: Is it a continuation, a bridge to other projects, or an independent story world?
- Check what crosses over: A shared studio does not establish that characters or events carry across projects; look for an explicit connection.
- Check the date and source: An official series description, an announced future plan and secondary reporting about a specific episode are different kinds of evidence.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
