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{{short description|Fictional restaurant chain}}
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|publisher = ] |publisher = ]
|debut = ''Adventures of Superman'' Vol. 1 #441 (June 1988) |debut = ''The Adventures of Superman'' #441 (June 1988)
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|type = ] |type = ]
|business = y |business = y
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'''Big Belly Burger''' is a fictional ] restaurant chain in the ] ]. It has appeared in a number of comic book titles and stories, as well as on the TV series set in the ]. '''Big Belly Burger''' is a fictional ] restaurant chain in the ] ]. It has appeared in a number of comic book titles and stories, alongside multiple appearances in other media, most notably including various television series set in the ].


==Fictional history== ==Fictional history==
] ]
Big Belly Burger was created by writer ] in the comic book ''Adventures of Superman'' in June 1988. The fast food chain was given its initial visual appearance by penciller ].<ref>''Adventures of Superman'' Vol. 1 #441 (June 1988).</ref> The restaurant was inspired by ], a real-world chain of restaurants.{{fact|date=October 2016}} Big Belly Burger was created by writer ] in the comic book ''Adventures of Superman'' in June 1988. The fast food chain was given its initial visual appearance by penciller ].<ref>''The Adventures of Superman'' #441 (June 1988).</ref> The restaurant was inspired by ], a real-world chain of restaurants.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boycillo |first=Andrea Dawn |date=2023-08-17 |title=Is Big Belly Burger in Blue Beetle Real? DC's Fast Food Restaurant Chain Explained |url=https://epicstream.com/article/blue-beetle-big-belly-burger |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231014055647/https://epicstream.com/article/blue-beetle-big-belly-burger |archive-date=2023-10-14 |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Epicstream |language=en}}</ref>


In DC Comics publications, Big Belly Burger is said to be one of the largest fast-food chains in the United States. Founded in ]{{fact|date=October 2016}} in the 1950s,<ref>''Flash'' Vol. 4 #32 (August 2014).</ref> various stories establish that the chain is now worldwide.<ref>''Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five''#17 (July 2016).</ref> Big Belly Burger is well-known in the DC Comics universe for its ], ]s, and large ]s. Its signature menu items include three burgers: the Belly Buster,<ref>''Adventures of Superman'' Vol. 1 #564 (February 1999); ''Superman'' Vol. 2 #36 (October 1989).</ref><ref name=nightwing104>''Nightwing'' Vol. 2 #104 (April 2005).</ref><ref name=showcase>''Showcase '95'' #10 (November 1995).</ref> the Belly Bloater,{{fact|date=October 2016}} the Belly Flop,<ref name=showcase /><ref>''The Power of Shazam!'' #16 (July 1996).</ref> and the Cheesemeister Deluxe.<ref>''Superman'' Vol. 2 #59 (September 1991).</ref>{{Efn|This is apparently the cheeseburger which ] craves.<ref>''Justice League Dark'' #19 (June 2013).</ref>}} Its signature milkshake is the "Chocorrific",<ref name=actionvol1973 /> although it also sells a strawberry-banana shake.<ref name=JusticeVol220 /> Desserts sold include ] and a "Drizzle Doodle" (whose exact composition is not defined).<ref name=actionvol1973>''Action Comics'' Vol. 1 #973 (April 2017).</ref> The restaurant is depicted as also selling a ]s<ref name=nightwing104 /> ] sandwiches,<ref name=brightest7 /> chicken ], fish sandwiches,<ref name=JusticeVol220 /> and breakfast items.<ref name=squadv430 /> The chain's products include "value" combination meals (main item, side, and drink)<ref name=squadv430 /> and "Jolly Meals",<ref name=formerly>''Formerly Known as the Justice League'' #1 (September 2003).</ref> a child's meal that comes in a box with an ].<ref name=canary1 /> The "Smiley Meal" is a similar boxed meal including a burger, fries, and cookie.<ref name=impulse>''Impulse'' #50 (July 1999).</ref> In DC Comics publications, Big Belly Burger is said to be one of the largest fast-food chains in the United States. Founded in ]<ref name="Ask_Question" /> in the 1950s,<ref>''The Flash'' (vol. 4) #32 (August 2014).</ref> the chain opened restaurants across the world following its purchase by ].<ref name="Ask_Question">{{cite web|url=https://www.dcuniverseinfinite.com/news/ask-question-how-can-mr-terrific-be-atheist-if-hes-met-spectre/|title=Ask...The Question: How Can Mr. Terrific Be an Atheist if He's Met the Spectre?|first=Alex|last=Jaffe|date=June 17, 2020|access-date=July 20, 2021|publisher=]|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721025651/https://www.dcuniverseinfinite.com/news/ask-question-how-can-mr-terrific-be-atheist-if-hes-met-spectre/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Big Belly Burger is well known in the DC Comics universe for its ], ]s, and large ]s. Its signature menu items include three burgers: the Belly Buster,<ref>''The Adventures of Superman'' #564 (February 1999); ''Superman'' (vol. 2) #36 (October 1989).</ref><ref name=nightwing104>''Nightwing'' (vol. 2) #104 (April 2005).</ref><ref name=showcase>''Showcase '95'' #10 (November 1995).</ref> the Belly Flop,<ref name=showcase /><ref>''The Power of Shazam!'' #16 (July 1996).</ref> and the Cheesemeister Deluxe.<ref>''Superman'' (vol. 2) #59 (September 1991).</ref>{{Efn|This is apparently the cheeseburger which ] craves.<ref>''Justice League Dark'' #19 (June 2013).</ref>}} Its signature milkshake is the "Chocorrific",<ref name=actionvol1973 /> although it also sells a strawberry-banana shake.<ref name=JusticeVol220 /> Desserts sold include ] and a "Drizzle Doodle" (whose exact composition is not defined).<ref name=actionvol1973>''Action Comics'' #973 (April 2017).</ref> The restaurant is depicted as also selling ]s<ref name=nightwing104 /> ] sandwiches,<ref name=brightest7 /> chicken ], fish sandwiches,<ref name=JusticeVol220 /> and breakfast items.<ref name=squadv430 /> The chain's products include "value" combination meals (main item, side, and drink)<ref name=squadv430 /> and "Jolly Meals",<ref name=formerly>''Formerly Known as the Justice League'' #1 (September 2003).</ref> a child's meal that comes in a box with an ].<ref name=canary1 /> The "Smiley Meal" is a similar boxed meal including a burger, fries, and cookie.<ref name=impulse>''Impulse'' #50 (July 1999).</ref>


The Big Belly Burger ] is a smiling, bearded, red-haired man with glasses (modeled on comic book writer and editor ]).<ref>{{cite web|last=Byrne|first=John|title=Unexpected Byrne references|website=Byrne Robotics|date=September 5, 2008|accessdate=October 22, 2016|url=http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27689}}</ref> The mascot is often depicted holding aloft a plate on which a large hamburger rests.<ref>''Adventures of Superman'' Vol. 2 #480 (July 1991).</ref> Variations of the mascot also appear, such as a mascot with an upraised arm and no plate.<ref>''Justice League Spectacular'' #1 (April 1992).</ref> Beginning about 2008, a Big Belly Burger logo began to be depicted in DC Comics. This logo consists of a large red circle with a heavy black border, a smaller white ] off-center at the top of the red circle, and two three-fingered cartoonish hands (one in the red circle, one opposite the smiley at the top of the red circle). The image looks like a rotund, smiling person patting a fat stomach and giving a thumb's up.<ref name=final3 /> Big Belly Burger also has a catchphrase, "It's Belly Belly good" (a play on the words "very very good").<ref name=impulse /><ref name=adventures463 /><ref>''Superman'' Vol. 2 #92 (August 1994).</ref> The slogan "Big Choices, Big Value, Big Belly!" has also been used.<ref name=squadv430>''Suicide Squad'' Vol. 4 #30 (July 2014).</ref> The Big Belly Burger ] is a smiling, bearded, red-haired man with glasses (modeled on comic book writer and editor ]).<ref>{{cite web|last=Byrne|first=John|title=Unexpected Byrne references|website=Byrne Robotics|date=September 5, 2008|accessdate=October 22, 2016|url=http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27689|archive-date=October 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022220425/http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=27689|url-status=live}}</ref> The mascot is often depicted holding aloft a plate on which a large hamburger rests.<ref>''The Adventures of Superman'' #480 (July 1991).</ref> Variations of the mascot also appear, such as a mascot with an upraised arm and no plate.<ref>''Justice League Spectacular'' #1 (April 1992).</ref> Beginning around 2008, a Big Belly Burger logo began to be depicted in DC Comics. This logo consists of a large red circle with a heavy black border, a smaller white ] off-center at the top of the red circle, and two three-fingered cartoonish hands (one in the red circle, one opposite the smiley at the top of the red circle). The image looks like a rotund, smiling person patting a fat stomach and giving a thumb's up.<ref name=final3 /> Big Belly Burger also has a catchphrase, "It's Belly Belly good" (a play on the words "very very good").<ref name=impulse /><ref name=adventures463 /><ref>''Superman'' (vol. 2) #92 (August 1994).</ref> The slogan "Big Choices, Big Value, Big Belly!" has also been used.<ref name=squadv430>''Suicide Squad'' (vol. 4) #30 (July 2014).</ref>


All Big Belly Burgers have a drive-through.<ref name=JusticeVol220>''Justice League'' Vol. 2 #20 (July 2013).</ref><ref name=formerly /> Some Big Belly Burger locations are depicted in the comics as having a "Playplace", an area where small children can play on ] equipment and ].<ref name=canary1>''Black Canary'' Vol. 3 #1 (September 2007).</ref> At least one has a ].<ref name=brightest7>''Brightest Day'' #7 (October 2010).</ref> All Big Belly Burgers have a drive-through.<ref name=JusticeVol220>''Justice League'' (vol. 2) #20 (July 2013).</ref><ref name=formerly /> Some Big Belly Burger locations are depicted in the comics as having a "Playplace", an area where small children can play on ] equipment and ].<ref name=canary1>''Black Canary'' (vol. 3) #1 (September 2007).</ref> At least one has a ].<ref name=brightest7>''Brightest Day'' #7 (October 2010).</ref>

Various stories also establish that Big Belly Burger enjoys widespread ], and only O'Shaughnessy's (a fictional fast food chain with an Irish theme which also appears in DC Comics) may have more locations and be better known by the public.{{fact|date=October 2016}}


==Notable appearances== ==Notable appearances==
===Superman=== ===Superman===
Big Belly Burger has appeared more often in ] comics than in any other DC Comics publication.{{fact|date=October 2016}} One notable appearance was in a 1990 story in which the villainous magical imp ] animated a Big Belly Burger mascot statue and used it to fight Superman.<ref name=adventures463>''Adventures of Superman'' Vol. 2 #463 (February 1990).</ref> In 1999, Superman characters ] and ] were depicted in an advertisement for the fast food chain:<ref>''Superman Secret Files and Origins'' #2 (May 1999).</ref>{{Efn|The advertisement plays off the ] in Superman comics in which Jimmy calls White "Chief" in reference to White's role as editor of the '']'' newspaper, after which White consistently orders Olsen to never call him that again.}} Big Belly Burger frequently appears in ] comics. One notable appearance was in a 1990 story in which the villainous magical imp ] animated a Big Belly Burger mascot statue and used it to fight Superman.<ref name=adventures463>''The Adventures of Superman'' (vol. 2) #463 (February 1990).</ref> In 1999, Superman characters ] and ] were depicted in an advertisement for the fast food chain:<ref>''Superman Secret Files and Origins'' #2 (May 1999).</ref>{{Efn|The advertisement plays off the ] in Superman comics in which Jimmy calls White "Chief" in reference to White's role as editor of the '']'' newspaper, after which White consistently orders Olsen to never call him that again.}}


{{quote|'''Jimmy Olsen:''' You'd better hustle with those Big Belly Burgers, Mr. White. {{quote|'''Jimmy Olsen:''' You'd better hustle with those Big Belly Burgers, Mr. White.
'''Perry White:''' Great Caesar's Ghost! I'm grilling as fast as I can, Olsen... and don't call me Chef!"}} '''Perry White:''' Great Caesar's Ghost! I'm grilling as fast as I can, Olsen... and don't call me Chef!"}}


In January 2016, Jimmy Olsen mentions that the first time he and ] spent time together was at a Big Belly Burger, and that he had his first interview with Superman at the same restaurant after the meal. A background image in the same issue of ''Superman'' shows a Big Belly Burger "Employee of the Month" named Stan, who bears a strong resemblance to legendary comic book writer, editor, and publisher ].<ref>''Superman'' Vol. 3 #46 (January 2016).</ref> In January 2016, Jimmy Olsen mentions that the first time he and ] spent time together was at a Big Belly Burger, and that he had his first interview with Superman at the same restaurant after the meal. A background image in the same issue of ''Superman'' shows a Big Belly Burger "Employee of the Month" named Stan, who bears a strong resemblance to legendary comic book writer, editor, and publisher ].<ref>''Superman'' (vol. 3) #46 (January 2016).</ref>


===Booster Gold=== ===Booster Gold===
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===Son of Vulcan=== ===Son of Vulcan===
Big Belly Burger made two appearances in the ''Son of Vulcan'' ]. The first issue of the publication depicted Big Belly Burger as the location where 14-year-old orphan ] worked when he met the superhero Vulcan and received his powers from him.<ref>''Son of Vulcan'' Vol. 2 #1 (August 2005).</ref> The fictional restaurant appeared again in the limited series' final issue, after Devante defeated a group of supervillains.<ref>''Son of Vulcan'' Vol. 2 #6 (January 2006).</ref> Big Belly Burger made two appearances in the ''Son of Vulcan'' ]. The first issue of the publication depicted Big Belly Burger as the location where 14-year-old orphan ] worked when he met the superhero Vulcan and received his powers from him.<ref>''Son of Vulcan'' (vol. 2) #1 (August 2005).</ref> The fictional restaurant appeared again in the limited series' final issue, after Devante defeated a group of supervillains.<ref>''Son of Vulcan'' (vol. 2) #6 (January 2006).</ref>


===Other heroes=== ===Other heroes===
], the teenage version of the superhero ], is depicted as a Big Belly Burger employee in a 1989 story,<ref>''Starman'' #16 (November 1989).</ref> and the DC Comics alien ] is depicted working at Big Belly Burger during his exile on Earth in a 2008 story.<ref name=final3>''Final Crisis'' #3 (September 2008).</ref> The superheroine ] of the superhero group ] also was depicted working at a Big Belly Burger in order to earn money prior to becoming a hero-for-hire in a 2002 tale.<ref>''Power Company'' #1 (April 2002).</ref> ] ate Big Belly Burger at almost every meal during his time with the ].<ref>''The Power of Shazam!'' #22 (January 1997).</ref> ], the teenage version of the superhero ], is depicted as a Big Belly Burger employee in a 1989 story,<ref>''Starman'' #16 (November 1989).</ref> and the DC Comics alien ] is depicted working at Big Belly Burger during his exile on Earth in a 2008 story.<ref name=final3>''Final Crisis'' #3 (September 2008).</ref> The superheroine ] of the superhero group ] also was depicted working at a Big Belly Burger in order to earn money prior to becoming a hero-for-hire in a 2002 tale.<ref>''Power Company'' #1 (April 2002).</ref> ] ate a Big Belly Burger at almost every meal during his time with the ].<ref>''The Power of Shazam!'' #22 (January 1997).</ref>


==In other media== ==In other media==
===Television=== ===Television===
* The fictional chain appears a number of times in the TV shows set in the ]: * Big Belly Burger and its products appear in TV series set in the ]:
** Big Belly Burger is regularly featured in first and second seasons of the television series '']'', and occasionally thereafter. Big Belly Burger made its first appearance in the third episode of the first season, when John Diggle brought ] and ] to the restaurant after they were beaten by Max Fuller's henchmen. Diggle's sister in law, Carly, is a waitress there.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Lone Gunmen |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |first1=Marc |last1=Guggenheim |first2=Andrew |last2=Kreisberg |network=The CW |date=October 24, 2012 |season=1 |number=3 }}</ref> It makes another major appearance when Oliver Queen, John Diggle, and ] meet at the Big Belly Burger where Carly works as they plot to capture a jewel thief known as The Dodger.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Dodger |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |first=Beth |last=Schwartz |network=The CW |date=February 20, 2013 |season=1 |number=15 }}</ref> A Big Belly Burger is where The Canary first appeared in the second season premiere episode.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=City of Heroes |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |first1=Andrew |last1=Kreisberg |first2=Marc |last2=Guggenheim |network=The CW |date=October 9, 2013 |season=2 |number=1 }}</ref> Felicity Smoak announced toward the end of the second season that she's no longer patronizing the restaurant: "No Big Belly Burger, though; it's giving me a big belly."<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Seeing Red |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |first1=Wendy |last1=Mericle |first2=Beth |last2=Schwartz |network=The CW |date=April 23, 2014 |season=2 |number=20 }}</ref> ** A ] and ]-based restaurant appear in '']''<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Lone Gunmen |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |first1=Marc |last1=Guggenheim |first2=Andrew |last2=Kreisberg |network=] |date=October 24, 2012 |season=1 |number=3 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=Dodger |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |first=Beth |last=Schwartz |network=] |date=February 20, 2013 |season=1 |number=15 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=City of Heroes |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |first1=Andrew |last1=Kreisberg |first2=Marc |last2=Guggenheim |network=] |date=October 9, 2013 |season=2 |number=1 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=Seeing Red |series=Arrow |series-link=Arrow (TV series) |first1=Wendy |last1=Mericle |first2=Beth |last2=Schwartz |network=] |date=April 23, 2014 |season=2 |number=20 }}</ref> and '']'' respectively<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Pilot |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |first1=Andrew |last1=Kreisberg |first2=Geoff |last2=Johns |network=] |date=October 7, 2014 |season=1 |number=1 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=Things You Can't Outrun |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |first1=Alison |last1=Schapker |first2=Grainne |last2=Godfree |network=] |date=October 21, 2014 |season=1 |number=3 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=Revenge of the Rogues |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |first1=Kai Yu |last1=Wu |first2=Johns |last2=Geoff |network=] |date=January 20, 2015 |season=1 |number=10 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=Fast Enough |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |first1=Gabrielle |last1=Stanton |first2=Andrew |last2=Kreisberg |network=] |date=May 19, 2015 |season=1 |number=23 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=Family of Rogues |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |first1=Julian |last1=Meiojas |first2=Katherine |last2=Walczak |network=] |date=October 20, 2015 |season=2 |number=3 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Darkness and the Light |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |first1=Ben |last1=Sokolowski |first2=Grainne |last2=Godfree |network=] |date=November 3, 2015 |season=2 |number=5 }}</ref> while products from a ] restaurant appear in the '']'' episode "Fallout".<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Fallout |series=Supergirl |series-link=Supergirl (TV series) |first1=Harry |last1=Jierjian |first2=Dana |last2=Horgan |network=] |date=October 21, 2018 |season=4 |number=2 }}</ref>
** In the '']'' episode "Meat: The Legends", it is revealed that Big Belly Burger originally began in the 1950s as a ] diner named Big Bang Burger run by Bert Beeman (portrayed by ]) until his wife Rhonda (Kirsten Robeck) uses liquid from an alien cocoon as secret sauce to help the restaurant outdo their competitors, leading to the Beemans being eaten by a moth-like alien that emerged from the cocoon. After ] member ] kills the alien, Big Bang Burger waitress Sandy Sledge (portrayed by Naiah Cummins) becomes the new owner and renames it Big Belly Burger.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Meat: The Legends |series=Legends of Tomorrow |series-link=Legends of Tomorrow |first1=Rachel |last1=Talalay |first2=Matthew |last2=Maala |first3=Morgan |last3=Faust |network=] |date=May 9, 2021 |season=6 |number=2 }}</ref>
** Big Belly Burger is also regularly featured in the television series '']''. The restaurant makes its first appearance in the show's premiere episode,<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Pilot |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |first1=Andrew |last1=Kreisberg |first2=Geoff |last2=Johns |network=The CW |date=October 7, 2014 |season=1 |number=1 }}</ref> and in another episode The Flash locates a villain after being told the attack is occurring near a Big Belly Burger.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Things You Can't Outrun |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |first1=Alison |last1=Schapker |first2=Grainne |last2=Godfree |network=The CW |date=October 21, 2014 |season=1 |number=3 }}</ref> The series depicts the Flash as needing to eat a large amount of food to replenish the energy expended by running. In the episode "Revenge of the Rogues", the hero is shown having eaten several hundred Big Belly Burger hamburgers (whose wrappings lie in a pile next to him).<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Revenge of the Rogues |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |first1=Kai Yu |last1=Wu |first2=Johns |last2=Geoff |network=The CW |date=January 20, 2015 |season=1 |number=10 }}</ref> ] mentions that he's a fan of Big Belly Burger in the season one finale. He's seen later in the same episode eating a Big Belly Burger hamburger, drink, and fries.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Fast Enough |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |first1=Gabrielle |last1=Stanton |first2=Andrew |last2=Kreisberg |network=The CW |date=May 19, 2015 |season=1 |number=23 }}</ref> ] of ] (posing as ]) remarks that every Earth in the ] has a Big Belly Burger.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Family of Rogues |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |first1=Julian |last1=Meiojas |first2=Katherine |last2=Walczak |network=The CW |date=October 20, 2015 |season=2 |number=3 }}</ref> A Big Belly Burger meal is one of the first things ] of ] asks for when he meets the Flash.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Darkness and the Light |series=The Flash |series-link=The Flash (2014 TV series) |first1=Ben |last1=Sokolowski |first2=Grainne |last2=Godfree |network=The CW |date=November 3, 2015 |season=2 |number=5 }}</ref>
* A Big Belly Burger restaurant appears in the '']'' episode "Best Day Ever".<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Best Day Ever |series=Justice League Action |series-link=Justice League Action |first1=Jake |last1=Castorena |first2=Paul |last2=Dini |network=] |date=August 10, 2017 |season=1 |number=33}}</ref>
** Kara brings a serving of Big Belly Burgers to ] in the '']'' episode "Fallout."{{fact|date=October 2018}}
* A ]-based Big Belly Burger restaurant makes a background appearance in the '']'' episode "Influence".<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Influence |series=Young Justice: Outsiders |series-link=Young Justice (TV series) |first1=Mel |last1=Zwyer |first2=Brandon |last2=Vietti |network=] |date=July 2, 2019 |season=3 |number=14 }}</ref>
** In the '']'' episode "Meat: The Legends", it is revealed that Big Belly Burger originally began as a diner named Big Bang Burger located in ] in the mid-1950s where it is run by Bert Beeman (portrayed by ]). His wife Rhonda (portrayed by Kirsten Robeck) found a liquid from a cocoon that was located in a displaced alien pod she found and used it for the secret sauce so that they can have Big Bang Burger outdo the ] "]". The Legends stumbled upon Rhonda's plot and she is killed when an unidentified alien moth emerges from it's cocoon and eats her. After Bert is eaten by the unidentified alien moth which is later slain by Esperanza "Spooner" Cruz, waitress Sandy Sledge (portrayed by Naiah Cummins) becomes the new owner of the restaurant and renames it Big Belly Burger.
* A Central City-based Big Belly Burger restaurant appears in the '']'' episode "One Minute Mysteries!".<ref>{{Cite episode |title=One Minute Mysteries! |series=Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? |series-link=Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? |first1=Sean |last1=Bishop |first2=Michael |last2=Ryan |network=] |date=July 2, 2020 |season=1 |number=16 }}</ref>

* Big Belly Burger appears in '']''.{{fact|date=October 2018}}

===Video games===
* Big Belly Burger is referenced in the ] ] ] ]. It is a four-part "Franchise Briefing" (e.g., information about a business appearing in the DC Universe Online) that can be found in the Little Bohemia and Chinatown districts of Metropolis and in the Burnley and Diamond Districts of Gotham. Players may also collect five types of cookies (such as the Big Belly Dinner Mint Cookie, the Big Belly HappyTime Meal Cookie, or the Choco-brand Big Belly Cookie Bits), and receive a secret message as well as a piece of alien technology.{{fact|date=January 2017}}

* Big Belly Burger appears in the '']'' ]. There are billboards throughout the city advertising the restaurant. Discarded burger wrappers and drinks appear in the game in the ].{{fact|date=January 2017}}

* In the '']'' video game, Green Arrow tells ] that he'll take him to Big Belly Burger if Homer helps him track down ].{{fact|date=January 2017}}


===Six Flags Parks=== ===Film===
* A ]-based Big Belly Burger restaurant appears in '']''.<ref>{{Cite AV media|people=Liu, Sam (director)|date=March 30, 2019|title=Justice League vs. the Fatal Five|title-link=Justice League vs. the Fatal Five |medium=Motion picture|location=]|publisher=]}}</ref>
* In all four versions of ], signs advertising Big Belly Burger can be seen in the final subway chase scene.{{fact|date=January 2017}}
* Big Belly Burger products from a restaurant in the fictional Palmera City appear in '']''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Burlingame |first=Russ |date=2023-07-08 |title=New Blue Beetle Poster Teases Big Belly Burger |url=https://comicbook.com/movies/news/new-blue-beetle-poster-teases-big-belly-burger/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915064256/https://comicbook.com/movies/news/new-blue-beetle-poster-teases-big-belly-burger/ |archive-date=2023-09-15 |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=Comicbook.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Piñata |first=Rory |date=2023-08-20 |title=Blue Beetle: Most Fans Completely Missed These DC Easter Eggs |url=https://movieweb.com/blue-beetle-easter-eggs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921103523/https://movieweb.com/blue-beetle-easter-eggs/ |archive-date=2023-09-21 |access-date=2023-10-14 |website=MovieWeb |language=en}}</ref>


===Miscellaneous===
* Versions of Big Belly Burger are now open in two Six Flags Parks (Discovery Kingdom at ], and Magic Mountain in ]){{fact|date=May 2019}}
* Big Belly Burger-inspired stands appear at ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom/things-to-do/restaurants |title=Restaurants & Dining |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=<!--Not stated--> |website=] |publisher=] |access-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-date=July 23, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210723145332/https://www.sixflags.com/discoverykingdom/things-to-do/restaurants |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain/things-to-do/restaurants |title=Restaurants & Dining |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=<!--Not stated--> |website=] |publisher=] |access-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-date=July 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210720053342/https://www.sixflags.com/magicmountain/things-to-do/restaurants |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Big Belly Burger appears in '']'' #9.<ref>'']'' #9 (May 2016).</ref>
* Big Belly Burger serves as inspiration for a collaboration between ] and Wonderland Restaurants, who created a real-life version of Big Belly Burger's namesake as part of a promotional tie-in for '']'' from April to May 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/zack-snyders-justice-league-meal-kit|title=WANT A BIG BELLY BURGER? OR JITTERS COFFEE? TAKE A SUPER-SIZED BITE OUT OF THE DC UNIVERSE WITH JUSTICE LEAGUE MEAL KIT|first=Josh|last=Weiss|date=February 10, 2021|access-date=July 20, 2021|publisher=]|archive-date=July 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210721025650/https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/zack-snyders-justice-league-meal-kit|url-status=live}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
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Latest revision as of 04:50, 27 December 2024

This article was nominated for deletion. The discussion was closed on 27 December 2024 with a consensus to merge the content into the article List of DC Universe locations. If you find that such action has not been taken promptly, please consider assisting in the merger instead of re-nominating the article for deletion. To discuss the merger, please use the destination article's talk page. (December 2024)
Fictional restaurant chain

Big Belly Burger
Publication information
PublisherDC Comics
First appearanceThe Adventures of Superman #441 (June 1988)
Created byJohn Byrne
In-story information
Type of businessRestaurants
Owner(s)LexCorp

Big Belly Burger is a fictional fast food restaurant chain in the DC Comics universe. It has appeared in a number of comic book titles and stories, alongside multiple appearances in other media, most notably including various television series set in the Arrowverse.

Fictional history

John Byrne, who created Big Belly Burger.

Big Belly Burger was created by writer John Byrne in the comic book Adventures of Superman in June 1988. The fast food chain was given its initial visual appearance by penciller Jerry Ordway. The restaurant was inspired by Bob's Big Boy, a real-world chain of restaurants.

In DC Comics publications, Big Belly Burger is said to be one of the largest fast-food chains in the United States. Founded in Coast City in the 1950s, the chain opened restaurants across the world following its purchase by LexCorp. Big Belly Burger is well known in the DC Comics universe for its French fries, milkshakes, and large hamburgers. Its signature menu items include three burgers: the Belly Buster, the Belly Flop, and the Cheesemeister Deluxe. Its signature milkshake is the "Chocorrific", although it also sells a strawberry-banana shake. Desserts sold include apple pie and a "Drizzle Doodle" (whose exact composition is not defined). The restaurant is depicted as also selling hot dogs egg salad sandwiches, chicken sliders, fish sandwiches, and breakfast items. The chain's products include "value" combination meals (main item, side, and drink) and "Jolly Meals", a child's meal that comes in a box with an action figure. The "Smiley Meal" is a similar boxed meal including a burger, fries, and cookie.

The Big Belly Burger mascot is a smiling, bearded, red-haired man with glasses (modeled on comic book writer and editor Andy Helfer). The mascot is often depicted holding aloft a plate on which a large hamburger rests. Variations of the mascot also appear, such as a mascot with an upraised arm and no plate. Beginning around 2008, a Big Belly Burger logo began to be depicted in DC Comics. This logo consists of a large red circle with a heavy black border, a smaller white smiley off-center at the top of the red circle, and two three-fingered cartoonish hands (one in the red circle, one opposite the smiley at the top of the red circle). The image looks like a rotund, smiling person patting a fat stomach and giving a thumb's up. Big Belly Burger also has a catchphrase, "It's Belly Belly good" (a play on the words "very very good"). The slogan "Big Choices, Big Value, Big Belly!" has also been used.

All Big Belly Burgers have a drive-through. Some Big Belly Burger locations are depicted in the comics as having a "Playplace", an area where small children can play on jungle gym equipment and slides. At least one has a jukebox.

Notable appearances

Superman

Big Belly Burger frequently appears in Superman comics. One notable appearance was in a 1990 story in which the villainous magical imp Mr. Mxyzptlk animated a Big Belly Burger mascot statue and used it to fight Superman. In 1999, Superman characters Jimmy Olsen and Perry White were depicted in an advertisement for the fast food chain:

Jimmy Olsen: You'd better hustle with those Big Belly Burgers, Mr. White. Perry White: Great Caesar's Ghost! I'm grilling as fast as I can, Olsen... and don't call me Chef!"

In January 2016, Jimmy Olsen mentions that the first time he and Clark Kent spent time together was at a Big Belly Burger, and that he had his first interview with Superman at the same restaurant after the meal. A background image in the same issue of Superman shows a Big Belly Burger "Employee of the Month" named Stan, who bears a strong resemblance to legendary comic book writer, editor, and publisher Stan Lee.

Booster Gold

The superhero Booster Gold was once depicted as working (for a brief time) at a Big Belly Burger. He also is depicted appearing in Big Belly Burger television advertisements, and a Big Belly Burger sticker appeared on Booster Gold's coffin along with other corporate sponsors (including Soder Cola, Cap's Hobby Shoppe, EZ Caskets, Guardian Cigarettes, Lit Beer, Pep Cereals, and Vertigo Comics).

Son of Vulcan

Big Belly Burger made two appearances in the Son of Vulcan limited series comic book. The first issue of the publication depicted Big Belly Burger as the location where 14-year-old orphan Miguel "Mikey" Devante worked when he met the superhero Vulcan and received his powers from him. The fictional restaurant appeared again in the limited series' final issue, after Devante defeated a group of supervillains.

Other heroes

Will Payton, the teenage version of the superhero Starman, is depicted as a Big Belly Burger employee in a 1989 story, and the DC Comics alien Nix Uotan is depicted working at Big Belly Burger during his exile on Earth in a 2008 story. The superheroine Skyrocket of the superhero group Power Company also was depicted working at a Big Belly Burger in order to earn money prior to becoming a hero-for-hire in a 2002 tale. Captain Marvel ate a Big Belly Burger at almost every meal during his time with the Justice League.

In other media

Television

  • Big Belly Burger and its products appear in TV series set in the Arrowverse:
    • A Star City and Central City-based restaurant appear in Arrow and The Flash respectively while products from a National City restaurant appear in the Supergirl episode "Fallout".
    • In the Legends of Tomorrow episode "Meat: The Legends", it is revealed that Big Belly Burger originally began in the 1950s as a San Bernardino diner named Big Bang Burger run by Bert Beeman (portrayed by Greg Kean) until his wife Rhonda (Kirsten Robeck) uses liquid from an alien cocoon as secret sauce to help the restaurant outdo their competitors, leading to the Beemans being eaten by a moth-like alien that emerged from the cocoon. After Legends member Esperanza "Spooner" Cruz kills the alien, Big Bang Burger waitress Sandy Sledge (portrayed by Naiah Cummins) becomes the new owner and renames it Big Belly Burger.
  • A Big Belly Burger restaurant appears in the Justice League Action episode "Best Day Ever".
  • A Los Angeles-based Big Belly Burger restaurant makes a background appearance in the Young Justice: Outsiders episode "Influence".
  • A Central City-based Big Belly Burger restaurant appears in the Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? episode "One Minute Mysteries!".

Film

Miscellaneous

References

Notes
  1. This is apparently the cheeseburger which Deadman craves.
  2. The advertisement plays off the running gag in Superman comics in which Jimmy calls White "Chief" in reference to White's role as editor of the Daily Planet newspaper, after which White consistently orders Olsen to never call him that again.
Citations
  1. The Adventures of Superman #441 (June 1988).
  2. Boycillo, Andrea Dawn (2023-08-17). "Is Big Belly Burger in Blue Beetle Real? DC's Fast Food Restaurant Chain Explained". Epicstream. Archived from the original on 2023-10-14. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  3. ^ Jaffe, Alex (June 17, 2020). "Ask...The Question: How Can Mr. Terrific Be an Atheist if He's Met the Spectre?". DC Universe Infinite. Archived from the original on July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  4. The Flash (vol. 4) #32 (August 2014).
  5. The Adventures of Superman #564 (February 1999); Superman (vol. 2) #36 (October 1989).
  6. ^ Nightwing (vol. 2) #104 (April 2005).
  7. ^ Showcase '95 #10 (November 1995).
  8. The Power of Shazam! #16 (July 1996).
  9. Superman (vol. 2) #59 (September 1991).
  10. Justice League Dark #19 (June 2013).
  11. ^ Action Comics #973 (April 2017).
  12. ^ Justice League (vol. 2) #20 (July 2013).
  13. ^ Brightest Day #7 (October 2010).
  14. ^ Suicide Squad (vol. 4) #30 (July 2014).
  15. ^ Formerly Known as the Justice League #1 (September 2003).
  16. ^ Black Canary (vol. 3) #1 (September 2007).
  17. ^ Impulse #50 (July 1999).
  18. Byrne, John (September 5, 2008). "Unexpected Byrne references". Byrne Robotics. Archived from the original on October 22, 2016. Retrieved October 22, 2016.
  19. The Adventures of Superman #480 (July 1991).
  20. Justice League Spectacular #1 (April 1992).
  21. ^ Final Crisis #3 (September 2008).
  22. ^ The Adventures of Superman (vol. 2) #463 (February 1990).
  23. Superman (vol. 2) #92 (August 1994).
  24. Superman Secret Files and Origins #2 (May 1999).
  25. Superman (vol. 3) #46 (January 2016).
  26. JLA Classified #6 (June 2005).
  27. 52 #4 (May 2006).
  28. 52 #18 (September 2006).
  29. Son of Vulcan (vol. 2) #1 (August 2005).
  30. Son of Vulcan (vol. 2) #6 (January 2006).
  31. Starman #16 (November 1989).
  32. Power Company #1 (April 2002).
  33. The Power of Shazam! #22 (January 1997).
  34. Guggenheim, Marc; Kreisberg, Andrew (October 24, 2012). "Lone Gunmen". Arrow. Season 1. Episode 3. The CW.
  35. Schwartz, Beth (February 20, 2013). "Dodger". Arrow. Season 1. Episode 15. The CW.
  36. Kreisberg, Andrew; Guggenheim, Marc (October 9, 2013). "City of Heroes". Arrow. Season 2. Episode 1. The CW.
  37. Mericle, Wendy; Schwartz, Beth (April 23, 2014). "Seeing Red". Arrow. Season 2. Episode 20. The CW.
  38. Kreisberg, Andrew; Johns, Geoff (October 7, 2014). "Pilot". The Flash. Season 1. Episode 1. The CW.
  39. Schapker, Alison; Godfree, Grainne (October 21, 2014). "Things You Can't Outrun". The Flash. Season 1. Episode 3. The CW.
  40. Wu, Kai Yu; Geoff, Johns (January 20, 2015). "Revenge of the Rogues". The Flash. Season 1. Episode 10. The CW.
  41. Stanton, Gabrielle; Kreisberg, Andrew (May 19, 2015). "Fast Enough". The Flash. Season 1. Episode 23. The CW.
  42. Meiojas, Julian; Walczak, Katherine (October 20, 2015). "Family of Rogues". The Flash. Season 2. Episode 3. The CW.
  43. Sokolowski, Ben; Godfree, Grainne (November 3, 2015). "The Darkness and the Light". The Flash. Season 2. Episode 5. The CW.
  44. Jierjian, Harry; Horgan, Dana (October 21, 2018). "Fallout". Supergirl. Season 4. Episode 2. The CW.
  45. Talalay, Rachel; Maala, Matthew; Faust, Morgan (May 9, 2021). "Meat: The Legends". Legends of Tomorrow. Season 6. Episode 2. The CW.
  46. Castorena, Jake; Dini, Paul (August 10, 2017). "Best Day Ever". Justice League Action. Season 1. Episode 33. Cartoon Network.
  47. Zwyer, Mel; Vietti, Brandon (July 2, 2019). "Influence". Young Justice: Outsiders. Season 3. Episode 14. DC Universe.
  48. Bishop, Sean; Ryan, Michael (July 2, 2020). "One Minute Mysteries!". Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?. Season 1. Episode 16. Boomerang.
  49. Liu, Sam (director) (March 30, 2019). Justice League vs. the Fatal Five (Motion picture). United States: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
  50. Burlingame, Russ (2023-07-08). "New Blue Beetle Poster Teases Big Belly Burger". Comicbook.com. Archived from the original on 2023-09-15. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  51. Piñata, Rory (2023-08-20). "Blue Beetle: Most Fans Completely Missed These DC Easter Eggs". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on 2023-09-21. Retrieved 2023-10-14.
  52. "Restaurants & Dining". Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. Six Flags. Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  53. "Restaurants & Dining". Six Flags Magic Mountain. Six Flags. Archived from the original on July 20, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  54. Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #9 (May 2016).
  55. Weiss, Josh (February 10, 2021). "WANT A BIG BELLY BURGER? OR JITTERS COFFEE? TAKE A SUPER-SIZED BITE OUT OF THE DC UNIVERSE WITH JUSTICE LEAGUE MEAL KIT". Syfy Wire. Archived from the original on July 21, 2021. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
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