DC Comics

DC Comics, owned by Warner Bros., is one of the major publishing companies producing comic book properties today. Founded in 1934, the company owns a number of popular characters whose stories have been translated to many media outlets including magazines, television and motion pictures.

Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are the company's flagship characters; their other franchises include Supergirl, Green Lantern, Shazam, Watchmen, and Mad Magazine.

Influence

“I've always been interested in comic books as an art form, and when I was younger I was addicted to them. I read Superman and Superboy, but Captain Marvel was probably my favorite of the super-heroes. The comic I loved best, though, was Pogo. After all, Kermit's beginnings were in a swamp, too.”
—Jim Henson, Creator of The Muppets^[1]

Muppet Mentions

Print Media

1969 advertisement for Sesame Street found in the November issues of nearly every major title published by DC, including Superman, Wonder Woman, and Jerry Lewis.

Fifty Who Made DC Great (1985), in which Jim Henson cites DC Comics characters as some of his favorites.

In Mister Miracle #7 (1989) art by Joe Philips, a Kermit the Frog poster appears behind Big Barda.

Justice League America #45 (1990) by Keith Giffen, JM DeMatteis and Russell Braun

Impulse #9 (1995) art by Humberto Ramos features the children's section of a book store decorated with Sesame Street bookends.

Superman/Toyman #1 (1996) illustrated by Stuart Immonen, features a Kermit and Cookie Monster doll in a toy store

Adventures in the DC Universe #13 (1998) by Steve Vance shows Impulse singing a familiar song.

Superman Villains: Secret Files and Origins (1998) by Evan Dorkin features a faux catalogue of devices sold by the Toyman that references Tickle Me Elmo.

Preacher #41 (1998) by Garth Ennis includes one of the more popular references to the way in which Muppet characters are performed.

In Young Justice #9 (1999) by Peter David, Cass baby-sit the Madison Twins in their room filled with toys including a Cookie Monster and Ernie doll.

JSA #13 (2000) by David Goyer and Geoff Johns

In Automatic Kafka #2 (2002) by Joe Casey, The Warning blackmails Agent Stahl by threatening to reveal his unique activities while watching Sesame Street, insulting Maria in the process.

Bizarro World (2005) "It's Not Easy Being Green" and Big Bird on a tractor.

Fables #34 (2005) by Bill Willingham shows Jack and his lawyer scouting a studio near "Jim Henson Studios", which also shares a distinct similarity to Charlie Chaplin Studios.

Birds of Prey #95 (2006) by Gail Simone depicts one character hacking into a villain's computer software, making it play the "Sesame Street Theme".

In Ex Machina #17 (2006) by Brian K. Vaughan, Commissioner Angotti laments the use of puppets in a political protest, calling those using them "Sesame Street rejects".

The All-New Atom #13 (2007) by Gail Simone shows the title character riding a toad and calling it Kermit the Frog.

In Detective Comics #834 (2007) by Paul Dini, the Joker leaves lyrics to "The Muppet Show Theme" as a possible clue for Batman and Zatanna.

In Nightwing #135 (2007) by Marv Wolfman, Vigilante refers to Nightwing as "Kermit" and references "Rainbow Connection."

DC's Vertigo label published an autobiography of Percy Carey featuring references to his childhood on the set of Sesame Street.

In Booster Gold #8 (2008) by Geoff Johns, Blue Beetle compares Hawkman to another giant bird.

In DCU Holiday Special #1 (2008) by Alan Burnett, Red Arrow refers to Shaggyman as Cookie Monster.

The Brave and the Bold #25 (2009) by Adam Beechen

In Gotham City Sirens #9 (2010) by Paul Dini, Harley Quinn is seen to have a Kermit the Frog doll on her bed.

Tiny Titans #26 (2010) by Art Baltazar and Franco. A "green holiday" (St. Patrick's Day) themed issue features a green suited character (Gizmo) hiding in a trashcan and laughing Oscar the Grouch's trademark grumpy laugh, "Heh, heh."^[2]

Zatanna #8 (2011) cover art by Stephane Roux

In Zatanna #8 (2011) by Paul Dini, Zatanna recalls her disastrous appearance on Sesame Street.

Justice League of America 80-Page Giant 2011, segment written by Adam Glass

Jack of Fables #50 (2011) by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges

Fables #127 (2013) by Bill Willingham and Matthew Sturges, in which Flycatcher sings "Rubber Duckie" before taking a bath.

Convergence: Swamp Thing #1 (2015) by Len Wein

Suicide Squad: Rebirth #1 (2016) by Rob Williams

The Flintstones #12 (2017) by Mark Russell

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Motion Media

Steel

• In the 1997 film, the title character is involved in a car chase. To assist in his speedy getaway, his partner Susan Sparks hacks into the city's public transportation to change all the traffic lights green. When she has trouble doing so, she tells him over the radio, "It ain't easy being green."

Teen Titans

• In the season three episode, "Bunny Raven... or... How to Make A Titananimal Disappear," this animated DC Comics spin-off series features two elderly characters who sit in a theatre box and make wisecracks about the mock variety show being performed on stage. The manner in which they laugh at their particular flavor of jokes is reminiscent of, and likely a direct reference to, Statler and Waldorf. Most of the episode's third act is a homage to The Muppet Show, complete with a spoof of the theme music and a parody of Scooter.

• In a "New Teen Titans" short, the Titans appear in a kids program, "Kidz Korner 4 Kidz," which contains references to Sesame Street (including a "One of These Things"-style segment and a Two-Headed Monster-inspired scene).

Teen Titans Go!

• In the episode "Hot Garbage", Beast Boy reveals that he watches a TV show with a green, garbage-loving character that resembles Oscar the Grouch.

• In the episode "Beast Boy's St. Patrick's Day Luck and it's Bad", the front stoop that Robin, Starfire, Cyborg and Raven sit at while playing their instruments during the "Bad Luck" song resembles that of 123 Sesame Street. Nearby is a trash can with a skeletal arm that has green skin on it sticking out, alluding to Oscar the Grouch.

• In the feature film Teen Titans Go! To the Movies, Beast Boy briefly morphs into Animal during the Titans' rap song in the beginning.

• Teen Titans Go! To the Movies also features a poster for a film called "Easy Being Green" with Swamp Thing, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Martian Manhunter, and Killer Croc.

• In the episode "Tower Renovation", Cyborg is seen in a bathtub with a rubber duckie made of rubble. He says "Rubble duckie, you are the one."

DC's Legends of Tomorrow

• In the first season episode "White Knights", Sara Lance (White Canary) says "Everything would have been fine, if Big Bird over here haven't freaked out" referring to Kendra (Hawkgirl) that panicked during a mission to break into the Pentagon.

• In the third season episode "Phone Home", the team are preparing to go out in 1988 when Zari asks how she looks, Jefferson Jackson (Firestorm) replies "Honestly? Like you are being strangled by a Muppet".

• In the third season behind the scenes YouTube video, "Inside: Beebo The God Of War", Phil Klemmer (Executive Producer) says that "..Beebo who is this talking little sort of puppet, like a Tickle Me Elmo."

Lucifer

• In the fourth season episode "Expire Erect", Ella, who is stoned while dancing, hugs Chloe and says "It's like hugging a Muppet!"

References

Rufus reads Justice League of America #76 in Sesame Street Episode 0044

Rufus reads an issue of Date with Debbi in Sesame Street footage from I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story

In a Sesame Street News Flash segment, Kermit the Frog interviews Telly at a daycare center, standing in front of pictures of DC heroes including Superman, Wonder Woman, and Hawkman.

Baby Scooter and Skeeter as the Wonder Twins from the SuperFriends cartoon in "Sing a Song of Superheroes"

Tingo reads Starman v.2 #59 in the Sesame English episode "Make Me a Sandwich".

In a variant cover to The Muppet Show Comic Book: Family Reunion #7, the Muppets are seen wearing costumes similar to Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, and Robin, as well as several Marvel Comics characters.

In The Muppets Kitchen with Cat Cora episode "World's Biggest Sandwich" Beauregard calls Cat Cora, Catwoman; a DC Comics villain.

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Verbal references

• In The Muppets episode "Generally Inhospitable", Pache calls Sweetums "Swamp Thing" when he's being held captive.

Trivia

Geoff Johns, who has referenced the Muppets in several of his scripts for DC Comics, including a recurring reference in several issues of Green Lantern, features in a video promoting "The 2014 Celebrity Pet Adoption Calendar from Anne and Wil Wheaton". In his home, Johns has an Animal collectible plate on display behind him. (YouTube)

Connections

• Famed comic book illustrator Alex Ross, having been first exposed to the institution of a superhero by Super Grover in his childhood, painted a lavish cover for the box of Palisades Toys' Super Grover Action Figure which was later released commercially as a poster print.

• The 1982 book and audio set, Justice League of America: The Lunar Invaders was directed and produced by Christopher Cerf. As such, a large number of Sesame Street employees are also featured as characters and worked as crew on the project.
  • Produced and Directed by Christopher Cerf
  • Engineering by Doug Epstein (engineer on the albums Born to Add and Jim Henson Presents Silly Songs
  • Guest Piano Soloist: Genevieve Cerf (Christopher Cerf's wife)
  • Narrated by Kathy Mullen
  • Jerry Nelson as Green Lantern and Yuri Pudovkin
  • Richard Hunt as The Flash and Han Chin
  • Nile Rodgers (Sesame Street session guitarist^[3]) as Kenan Masud
  • Michael Kingsbury Frith as The Batman
  • Frederick R. Newman as Red Tornado and an Alien
  • Christopher Cerf as The Atom
  • Special Thanks to Thaddeus Mumford, Jonathan Frith, Sharon Lerner

• The Hanna-Barbera series Superfriends, which went through many incarnations between 1973 and 1985, featured several actors who also worked on Muppet/Henson productions.
  • Gordon Hunt was voice director (1980-1985)
  • Casey Kasem played Robin (1973-1985)
  • Ted Knight played the narrator (1973-1977)
  • Olan Soule played Batman (1979-1984) and Professor Martin Stein (1984-1985)
  • John Stephenson played Col. Willcox (1973)
  • Frank Welker played Marvin and Wonderdog (1973-1977), Mr. Mxyzptlk (1979-1985), and Darkseid and Kalibak (1984-1985)
  • William Woodson played the narrator (1977-1985)

• The 2001 Cartoon Network animated series Justice League (and its retitled version, Justice League Unlimited) again featured many actors who had also worked on Muppet/Henson productions.
  • Edward Asner played Hephaestus in "Hawk and Dove" and Granny Goodness in "The Ties That Bind"
  • Jason Bateman played Hermes in "The Balance"
  • Ben Browder played Bat Lash in "The Once and Future Thing: Weird Western Tales"
  • Dan Castellaneta played a minister in "Maid of Honor"
  • Michael Dorn played Kalibak
  • Brad Garrett played Lobo in "Hereafter"
  • Mark Hamill played the Joker and Solomon Grundy in many episodes and the Trickster in "Flash and Substance"
  • William Hootkins played the commander in "The Terror Beyond"
  • Arte Johnson played Vermin Vunderbarr in "The Ties That Bind"
  • Michael McKean played the Sportsman in the episode "Legends"
  • Sam McMurray played Gilbert Hale and a reporter in "Fearful Symmetry"
  • Rob Paulsen played Lightray and Helmsman in "Twilight"
  • Robert Picardo played Blackhawk in "The Savage Time" and Amazo
  • Glenn Shadix played Mandragora in "Double Date"
  • Cree Summer played a female singer in "Fearful Symmetry"
  • Dave Thomas played Harv Hickman in "A Night of Shadows" and Ernst in "The Savage Time"

• The 2008 direct-to-DVD animated feature based on Darwyn Cooke's graphic novel The New Frontier featured the following connections:
  • Townsend Coleman played Dr. Magnus
  • Neil Patrick Harris played The Flash
  • Kyle MacLachlan played Superman
  • Brooke Shields played Carol Ferris

Other cast connections:

• Amy Adams played Lois Lane in Justice League (2017 film)
• Will Arnett played Lieutenant Grass in Jonah Hex (2010 film), Batman in The LEGO Batman Movie (2014 film) and Slade in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018 film)
• John Barrowman played Malcolm Merlyn on Arrow (2012-), The Flash (2015), and Legends of Tomorrow (2016-)
• Kristen Bell voiced Jade Wilson in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018 film)
• Richard Belzer played Joe Kline on The Flash (1990-1991)
• Ruth Buzzi played Aunt Minerva in Legends of the Superheroes: The Roast (1979)
• Wayne Brady plays Gravedigger on Black Lightning
• Eugene Byrd played Andy Diggle on Arrow (8 episodes, 2015-2016)
• Viola Davis played Amanda Waller in Suicide Squad (2016 film)
• Henry Cavill played Clark Kent/Superman in Justice League (2017 film)
• Dave Coulier voiced Tramm on Teen Titans
• Michael Fassbender played Burke in Jonah Hex (2010 film)
• Victor Garber plays Dr. Martin Stein on The Flash (2015-2017), Legends of Tomorrow (2016-2017) and "Arrow" (2016-2017)
• Gilbert Gottfried voiced the Coal Miner on Teen Titans Go!
• Irma P. Hall played Grandma Odessa in Steel (1997 film)
• Mark Hamill played James Jesse/The Trickster on The Flash (1990) and The Flash (2015-2016)
• John Hawkes played a mugger in Steel (1997 film)
• Gary Hecker supplied creature vocals in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017)
• Jeremy Irons played Alfred Pennyworth in Justice League (2017 film)
• Stan Lee voiced himself in Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018 film)
• Paula Marshall played Iris West in the pilot episode of The Flash (1990)
• Jesse L. Martin plays Joe West on The Flash (2014-)
• Howard Morris played Dr. Sivana in two Legends of the Superheroes specials (1979)
• Sharon Osbourne played herself on Lucifer
• Dan Payne played King Shark on The Flash, Obsidian on Legends of Tomorrow, Dollar Bill in Watchmen, and Carlton Clerg on iZombie
• Kevin Michael Richardson voiced Trigon, Mammoth, and See-More on Teen Titans
• Richard Roundtree played Uncle Joe in Steel (1997 film)
• William Schallert played Retired Man/Scarlet Cyclone in two Legends of the Superheroes specials (1979)
• J. K. Simmons played Commissioner Gordon in Justice League (2017 film)
• Tara Strong voiced Raven, Kole, Kitten, Jinx ("Titans Together"), and Gizmo ("Revved Up," "Titans Together") on Teen Titans
• Russi Taylor voiced Melvin and Timmy Tantrum on Teen Titans
• Danny Trejo played Breacher on The Flash (2017-2019)
• Jon Voight played Quentin Turnbull in Jonah Hex (2010 film)
• Wil Wheaton voiced Aqualad on Teen Titans and Teen Titans Go!

Other connections come from the print division or across multiple media:

• David Allikas wrote issues of The Unexpected (1979), Ghosts (1980-1981), G. I. Comics (1980-1986), House of Mystery (1981), Weird War Tales (1981-1982), and Sgt. Rock (1986-1987)
• Del Close wrote for every issue of the anthology Wasteland (1987-1989)
• John Costanza wrote and drew humorous one-pagers for Aquaman, House of Secrets, House of Mystery, Our Fighting Forces, Star Spangled War Stories (all 1970), and Weird War Tales (1972); pencils and inks for a story in Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew! (1982); and lettering on many DC titles, including Green Lantern (1970-1986), Jonah Hex (1982-1983), Swamp Thing (1985-1994), and Green Arrow (1988-1998)
• Sholly Fisch has written many DC Comics, including Super Friends, Batman Beyond, and ustice League Unlimited
• Rich Fogel wrote and/or story edited Superman (1998-2000), Batman Beyond (1999-2001), Justice League (2001-2004), and Krypto the Superdog (2006) as well as writing the comics Batman Beyond #9 (2000) and Justice League of America one-shot (2009)
• Judith Hunt drew the two issue Robotech Defenders (1985)
• Frank Springer drew one-shot stories for Batman (1967) and Detective Comics (1968), inked two issues of Superboy (1967-1968), drew "Dial H for Hero" stories and other material for House of Mystery (1968-1969), penciled and inked back-up "Secret Six" stories from The Brave and the Bold (two issues, 1975) and regularly in Action Comics (1988-1989), inked two issues of Tarzan (1976) and five issues of Superman (1977), penciled four issues of Green Arrow (1992), inked covers, and other assignments
• Marv Wolfman wrote The New Teen Titans (1980-1988, 1994-1996), Detective Comics (1971, 1990), Action Comics (1980-1984, 1988, 2001), Batman (1980-1981, 1989-1990), Crisis on Infinite Earths (1985-1986), and many others, and wrote for the online game DC Universe Online (2011) and appeared in the DC's Legends of Tomorrow episode "Crisis on infinite Earths: Part 5".

Sources

1. ↑ Fifty Who Made DC Great, 1985
2. ↑ Confirmed by Art Baltazar by email via Scott Hanson
3. ↑ Nile Rodgers biography

External Links

• DC Comics official website