10 Most Heartbreaking Moments In The DC Animated Universe

10. Solomon Grundy's (Final) Death - Justice League Unlimited

Justice League Unlimited is one of the smartest superhero series you'll ever get to watch, and that goes for all mediums, not just animation.

The show was spearheaded by numerous DCAU veterans but in particular the late, great Dwayne McDuffie, a creator who was not only instrumental in developing the character of Static for comics and television, but who also constantly managed to cut to the core of what made comics, superheroes and supervillains, ultimately so human.

"Wake the Dead" is one such example of McDuffie's talents, with the story having been co-developed by Bruce Timm. In it, we get to see how Hawkgirl has been coping since the events of "Starcrossed", where she left the Justice League and broke John Stewart's heart (and all ours too). Turns out she's been hanging out with Doctor Fate, Amazo and Aquaman in the sorcerer's tower.

The group soon learn that an incantation gone awry has once again resurrected Solomon Grundy, that loveable monster who had previously died in Hawkgirl's arms on another supernatural mission, so already there's an added level of emotion to consider.

Sadly, the ritual has rendered Grundy mindless and violent - he isn't the loveable zombie we once knew. The combined forces of the Justice League struggle to reason with him, and then to stop him with force, which prompts Hawkgirl to try and reach him. She manages to break through for a second, but both herself and Grundy are resigned to what happens next. After one last moment of comfort, Shayera grants her old friend peace.