10 Most Heartbreaking Moments In The DC Animated Universe

5. Tim Drake Breaks Down - Batman Beyond: Return Of The Joker

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker is my favourite DC film, and it just so happens to include one of the most haunting sequences in the entire DCAU.

In a bid to uncover the truth behind the Clown Prince of Crime's return, Terry McGinnis comes to Police Commissioner Barbara Gordon (the former Batgirl), demanding answers. Bruce had never told Terry much about the Joker, and the question of what had happened to the Dark Knight's arch nemesis had been weighing on viewers' minds pretty much since the start of the series.

Barbara reveals the truth to Terry with a flashback. We learn that Joker had kidnapped Robin, aka Tim Drake, and physically and mentally tortured him into becoming his own mini Joker. Batman loses complete control and goes after the Clown Prince, only for him to get the upper hand, give a gun to the brainwashed Robin, and command him to finish the job.

As Bruce pleads with Tim, he starts laughing maniacally. He turns the gun on Joker though, killing him, before that same laughter turns to a pained cry, and he collapses into Batgirl's arms.

This is by far the darkest the DCAU has ever gotten, and Tim's fate doesn't get any easier to sit through with time.