5 Classic Cartoon Characters That Actually Met DC Heroes

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As a comic book movie critic, I’ve seen some crazy team-ups, but DC really went for it with their animated crossovers. About ten years ago, right when DC was starting its ‘Rebirth’ era, they launched something called ‘Hanna-Barbera Beyond.’ Basically, it was DC Comics teaming up with the folks behind Scooby-Doo and The Flintstones – both owned by Warner Bros. While they did some standard superhero fare, ‘Hanna-Barbera Beyond’ is most remembered for its original titles, like the surprisingly dark Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles and the gritty reboot of Scooby Apocalypse, which took those classic cartoons in some unexpected directions.

DC Comics didn’t limit its collaboration with Hanna-Barbera to just limited series and ongoing comic books. Throughout 2017 and 2018, they also released 12 special one-shot issues that combined DC superheroes like Nightwing, the Flash, and even Deathstroke with beloved classic cartoon characters such as Hong Kong Phooey, Speed Buggy, and Top Cat. As the 10th anniversary of the Hanna-Barbera partnership nears, it’s a perfect time to revisit some of the most surprising, humorous, and enjoyable team-ups this unique project created. Here are 5 of the best crossovers from this memorable period.

5. Jabberjaw

A forgotten character from the Hanna-Barbera cartoon studio makes a surprising comeback, teaming up with Aquaman in this special adventure. Jabberjaw, a shark from the future, finds himself stranded on present-day Earth. Aquaman feels responsible for getting him home, and their journey takes them to Jabberjaw’s time, where they discover the future isn’t perfect. While Jabberjaw’s jokes can be annoying, he and Aquaman quickly become friends—it’s not too surprising, considering Jabberjaw is a sea creature!

4. Blue Falcon and Dynomutt

A forgotten cartoon character gets a new adventure in Super Sons/Dynomutt Special #1, featuring Batman and Superman’s sons on a challenging rescue mission. The heroic dog, Dynomutt, is confused by the strange behavior of Blue Falcon, and the two young heroes team up to investigate. They soon discover a connection to Blue Falcon’s old enemy, the Red Vulture. Fans of the previous Super Sons comics won’t want to miss this special issue, which cleverly uses the often-comedic Dynomutt to deliver a heartwarming story about lasting friendship.

3. Huckleberry Hound

Most of the team-up comics were fairly straightforward, but the crossover between Green Lantern and Huckleberry Hound stood out by being set in the 1970s and tackling real-world social problems. The story brings Green Lantern and his childhood hero together in Mississippi during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, where they discuss the challenges facing America. While still funny, this comic is surprisingly deep and resonates with current events. It’s remarkable how much emotional impact a story about a talking dog can have.

2. Space Ghost

Space Ghost is a classic Hanna-Barbera character, and this comic pairs him with another famous space hero! In Green Lantern/Space Ghost Special #1, a quick misunderstanding leaves both heroes stranded on a dangerous, alien planet. Hal Jordan and Space Ghost must team up to survive the hostile environment. While it’s different from the Space Ghost: Coast to Coast show, it’s a really strong science fiction story that fans are sure to enjoy.

1. The Flintstones

The Flintstones comic series was a big hit for DC, so they brought back the original writer, Mark Russell, for a special team-up with Booster Gold. In Booster Gold/The Flintstones Special #1, Booster travels to the Stone Age to stop an alien invasion, and ends up meeting Fred and Barney. It’s a fun, action-packed story with some clever social observations. If you enjoyed The Flintstones, you’ll definitely want to check this out!

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2026-02-22 03:12