Buzz
DC Comics, which began in the 1930s, has evolved into a massive entertainment empire spanning comics, television, movies, animation, and merchandise. Over the years, it has cultivated a devoted fan base, often vocal and deeply invested. As a result, fans have created an extensive collection of theories attempting to explain and connect every facet of DC's vast universe, no matter how obscure or easily explainable it may seem.
This trend isn't limited to the comics and animated series. It's particularly true for the films, where the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) has presented some of the most beloved characters on the big screen—though not always in a consistent manner. Fans, eager for clarity, have taken it upon themselves to fill in the blanks and bridge the gaps left by Warner Brothers. Below are ten fan theories and conspiracies within the DC Universe that are as entertaining as they are intriguing, whether they hold any truth or not.
10. Wonder Woman and the Native American God
In Wonder Woman, the Amazonian hero teams up with a motley crew of soldiers and spies to navigate through war-torn Europe. This approach, reminiscent of Captain America, is an exciting twist. Among her companions is a Native American named Chief, who later reveals that his true name is Napi.
In Blackfoot mythology, Napi is a god credited with shaping the world. He's a demiurge, which makes him somewhat comparable to the God referred to by Christians as God with a capital 'G'. With Ares, the Greek god of war, serving as the film's antagonist, the presence of gods isn't out of the question. Actor Eugene Brave Rock, who plays Napi, has affirmed that his character is indeed the Blackfoot god.
9. Lois Lane possesses psychic abilities.
Certain fan theories, while intriguing and detailed, often function as attempts to explain away mistakes made by filmmakers. Major blockbuster movies are typically produced by a series of committees, so it's expected that some continuity will falter, and a bit of disbelief will be required from the audience. One such theory suggests that Lois Lane herself is a metahuman.
The theory proposes that in 'Batman Vs. Superman' (BvS), Lois Lane has her own set of powers, primarily psychic abilities. This is the only way to explain how, for example, Superman saves her from terrorists, from being thrown off a skyscraper, and from drowning—despite being unaware of these events. She must have mentally alerted him to her distress. Moreover, she heard a dying Superman tell Batman to save Martha, even though she wasn't present. On top of that, she somehow knew about the kryptonite spear and how to use it, without anyone ever explaining it to her. While Lois may be a two-dimensional character, her psychic powers offer an explanation.
8. Aquaman enlisted the help of whales to rescue Superman.
In 'Man of Steel,' while Clark Kent is off exploring the world to cultivate the perfect grief beard, he finds himself having to rescue the crew of an offshore oil rig after a fire breaks out and causes the structure to collapse. After Clark props up part of the rig so the workers can escape, he plunges into the ocean below, knocked unconscious. The sequence, by the way, shows a close-up of his sweaty abs but never depicts him actually entering the water because… Zack Snyder.
Clark regains consciousness in the water, only to see two whales approaching him. The next thing we know, he's emerging onshore. No explanation is given. Naturally, due to the mere presence of water, fans begin speculating about Aquaman. Some believe he was watching over Clark and enlisted his whale companions to carry him to shore. Jason Momoa, who portrays Aquaman, has confirmed that this theory is indeed true.
7. Watchmen is part of the DCEU Canon.
The 2019 conclusion of D.C. Comics' 'Doomsday Clock' series officially links the D.C. Universe with the Watchmen universe. In the DCEU films, while the connection between the two worlds is more spiritual than literal, they share a common architect: Zack Snyder. Snyder has made sure to insert Easter eggs throughout his films that hint at this connection, prompting several fan theories that aim to solidify this link in the canon.
One theory suggests that the anti-metahuman sentiment in the DCEU films might have been triggered by earlier, darker, and more flawed heroes who failed to prevent disaster, i.e., the Watchmen. Another idea is that Dr. Manhattan, the omnipotent figure from Watchmen, is secretly manipulating the DCEU’s events, resetting its canon and curating the multiverse. These theories now seem more likely, thanks to their strong grounding in the original material.
6. Marvel allegedly bribed Rotten Tomatoes.
The issue was brought to light most notably by screenwriter Max Landis, a figure known for his controversial statements and often criticized sensationalism. When critics called him out, Landis quickly backpedaled, but the damage had already been done. D.C.'s fanbase, sometimes described as being a bit *ahem* Ayn Rand-esque, embraced this theory as a way to explain why their film didn’t receive universal praise. After all, blaming an external factor is far easier than addressing the movie’s clear issues with writing, directing, acting, editing, tone, structure, internal logic, pacing, and consistency.
5. Alfred only dreamed that Bruce survived.
Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy concluded with Batman seemingly perishing in a heroic explosion. His death is mourned, and Gotham moves on—likely with Joseph Gordon-Levitt in a spandex suit, stalking rooftops. But then, there's a twist. When Alfred visits his favorite cafe in Florence, Italy, he spots a seemingly alive and well Bruce Wayne, enjoying a peaceful day with his partner-in-brooding, Selina Kyle (a.k.a. Catwoman).
However, some fans believe that this scene is just Alfred’s way of processing the trauma of Bruce’s apparent death. Earlier in the film, Alfred mentioned having a fantasy of finding Bruce in such a setting, and notably, he never disclosed to Bruce the exact location of the cafe. While Christopher Nolan has stated that the scene is not a dream, I propose that his statement itself could be part of the dream. This raises the possibility that we’re all living in Alfred’s dream, and personally, I’m fine with that.
4. The Joker was once a Robin.
In 'BvS,' we catch a glimpse of an empty, defaced Robin suit, leading us to believe that the Joker is the one who killed Robin. For comic book fans, this immediately points to Jason Todd, the second Robin, who was murdered by the Joker in the 1980s following a reader poll. However, director Zack Snyder clarified that the deceased Robin shown in the film was 'Richard,' referring to the first Robin, Dick Grayson.
This explanation sparked a theory that the Joker, specifically the Jared Leto version, could actually be Jason Todd himself. This idea would help explain some of the Joker’s tattoos, which resemble feathers and birds; the 'J' tattoo under his eye, which might stand for 'Jason' instead of 'Joker'; Batman's hardened cynicism and exhaustion; and Batman's famous line, '20 years in Gotham. How many good guys are left? How many stayed that way?'
3. Batman is locked away in Arkham.
This is one of the oldest comic book theories, and though it’s likely untrue, it remains an intriguing conversation piece. The theory suggests that Bruce Wayne, rather than his enemies, is the real inmate in Arkham Asylum. His inability to process the trauma of his parents’ deaths drove him to madness, leading him to become a permanent resident at Arkham.
The Batman persona could be seen as a manifestation of one of Wayne’s psychological conditions, with his rogues gallery functioning as his therapists. An interesting aspect of this theory is that many of Batman’s adversaries are, in fact, doctors themselves. Scarecrow, a psychiatrist who uses fear-inducing chemicals, is the one who most directly impacts Wayne's psyche. It’s almost amusing to imagine the Batman saga concluding with Wayne snapping out of a delusion, strapped to a hospital bed in a straitjacket. Naturally, this would send Gotham into chaos.
2. WWII Never Happened
The setting of 'Wonder Woman' is intriguing for its blend of mythology and history. Although the film's central characters are based in Greek mythology, the plot takes place against the very real backdrop of World War I. A critical figure here is Erich Ludendorff, a German general who, unlike in the movie, survived WWI. In reality, Ludendorff played a significant role in the rise of fascism in Germany, contributing to two failed coups, collaborating with the Nazi party, and furthering anti-Semitic policies.
The theory suggests that by eliminating Ludendorff in WWI, Wonder Woman unknowingly prevented him from shaping the political landscape of Germany during the 20s and 30s. This disruption weakened the Nazi regime, which in turn may have been responsible for preventing the rise of World War II.
1. Future Injustice
In both 'BvS' and 'Justice League,' viewers are shown glimpses of a dark, post-apocalyptic future, referred to by fans as 'Knightmares'—a name that certainly adds to the intrigue. These haunting visions depict a world where Superman has fallen to evil, and Batman is assembling a team of metahumans to stand against him. Many fans believe this could be setting the stage for the beloved Injustice storyline.
In the Injustice comic series, the Joker manipulates Superman into inadvertently killing Lois Lane, sending the Man of Steel down a path of corruption and authoritarianism. This matches eerily with the future glimpsed in the Knightmare scenes. Zack Snyder has hinted that the Joker plays a role in creating the Knightmare world, further fueling the theory that this could indeed be the Injustice future. If the #Snyderverse ever gets restored, fans may still get to see this vision unfold.
