The Big Bang Theory: The 10 Best DC References, Ranked
Known for its geeky leads, witty humor, and affinity for pop culture, the popular sitcom series The Big Bang Theory ran for 12 seasons on CBS, airing 279 episodes in total. The series follows Leonard and Sheldon, two Mensa-certified geniuses who are also massive comic book fans. Because of this, plenty of references are made to comic books and comic book superheroes throughout the series, particularly those owned by DC Comics (most likely because the show is produced by Warner Brothers Television).
Here are 10 of the greatest DC Comics references from the show's twelve-year run, from massive amounts of memorabilia to in-jokes and blink-and-you-miss-it callbacks.
10 Aquaman Statue
In the season 9 episode "The Spock Resonance", Sheldon is showing a documentary crew - led by Leonard Nimoy's real-life son, Adam, who has come to interview him about Spock's cultural influence - around his apartment.
One of the things he pauses to show them is an Aquaman security camera, which he claims has been protecting the apartment for more than 13 years.
9 The Comic Center Of Pasadena
Owned and operated by introverted artist Stuart Bloom, the Comic Center of Pasadena is by one of the most popular hangouts for Sheldon and Leonard, given their love of comics and the fact that it's fairly close by.
A good percentage of the comics and memorabilia sold there are from DC, rather than Marvel or another, separate publisher (although the store is known to have some manga).
8 Debating Comic Books
In season 6's "The Bakersfield Expedition," Amy, Penny, and Bernadette go to The Comic Center of Pasadena to see what all the fuss is about.
They ask Stuart what comics would be good for first-time readers, and he recommends the DC Comics series Fables. That is, because, of course, the shop only sells DC comics. Obviously.
7 Batman And Robin
Another episode that takes place in the Comic Center, season 2's "The Hofstadter Isotope", finds Howard and Sheldon fighting over the last copy of All Star Batman & Robin The Boy Wonder #8.
The reason? Sheldon wants it as an addition to his Robin collection, and Howard, in turn, wants it as an addition to his Batman collection.
6 DC Comics Merchandise Found Throughout The Series
The Comic Center isn't the only location in The Big Bang Theory where there's plenty of comics memorabilia to be found - not by a long shot.
Obviously, there's a lot of it in Sheldon and Leonard's apartment - in almost every episode, you can see shelves of comics and action figures, large, industrial-size comic bins, comics scattered on the coffee table, and framed prints in each of their rooms.
5 The Flash Cosplay
Being Sheldon's favorite superhero, the Flash is mentioned many, many times throughout the series. In the season one episode "The Middle-Earth Paradigm", the four guys each dress as the Flash to attend Penny's Halloween party.
Sheldon also dresses up as the Flash in the season 2 episode "The Work Song Nanocluster" and in the season 4 episode "The Justice League Recombination".
4 Leonard's Computer Password
Sheldon's favorite superhero might be the Flash, but Leonard's favorite superhero is undeniably Superman.
Not only does he have thousands over Superman comic books, but in the season 2 episode "The White Asparagus Triangulation", it's revealed that Leonard uses "Kal-el" (Superman's Kryptonian name) for most of his passwords - including the one for his Facebook account, which Sheldon is trying to hack into.
3 Adam West Guest Appearance
Adam West is perhaps best known for playing Batman in the eponymous, hugely popular 1960s television series (as well as its 1966 theatrical feature film adaptation).
In the season 9 episode "The Celebration Experimentation", Leonard, Raj, and Howard decide to invite him to Sheldon's birthday party - when Sheldon was young, he was tricked by his sister into thinking that Batman was going to attend his birthday party, and they want to turn that sad memory into a fun surprise.
2 Bowling Match
The season three episode "The Wheaton Recurrence" marks the second encounter between Sheldon and Star Trek: The Next Generation actor Wil Wheaton (who, coincidentally, also played the Flash in the 2018 film Teen Titans Go! To The Movies). When the two meet in a bowling alley, their unresolved feud leads to them forming teams and fighting each other tournament-style.
The stakes? If Sheldon's team loses, they have to go in the Comic Center dressed as female DC characters - Howard as Batgirl, Leonard as Supergirl, Sheldon as Wonder Woman, and Raj as Catwoman.
1 The Justice League Recombination
In the season 4 episode "The Justice League Recombination", the four guys try to win a costume contest by dressing up as the Justice League, with Leonard as Green Lantern, Howard as Batman, Sheldon as the Flash, and Raj - much to his distaste - as Aquaman.
They then recruit Penny and her boyfriend Zack to complete the group, as Wonder Woman and Superman respectively.