Twelve years ago, DC Comics made the boldest publishing move in its history with the New 52 relaunch. That relaunch/reboot, while initially successful, ended up as a missed opportunity. Now, DC Comics is looking to start a new publishing initiative again with DC All In, only this time, they’ve seemingly learned from the mistakes of the past. The classic DC universe will remain, with a new, edgier universe existing alongside it. This was all announced by DC writers Joshua Williamson (Superman) and Scott Snyder (Batman, Dark Nights Metal) in a special announcement video, which you view below:

Snyder is part of what they are calling “Absolute DC.” This will be an adjacent universe featuring reimagined takes on DC’s biggest characters, starting with Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. This resembles Marvel’s Ultimate Comics line from the early 2000s. Snyder himself will write Absolute Batman, which looks to feature the most jacked-up Dark Knight we’ve ever seen. Unlike the New 52, this new universe will coexist alongside the current DC Universe, which will continue with new creative teams or new storylines for their existing titles. The classic universe will not get a reboot again.

Another difference from Marvel’s Ultimate line is that while the DC Absolute titles will be their own universe, they will tie-in to a greater storyline connected back to the classic DCU involving Darkseid. As Snyder explained, the main DC Universe is a world predicated on “Superman energy.” This was something made explicit in the mini-series Doomsday Clock. Meanwhile, the Absolute Universe is a “wild world” composed of “Darkseid energy.” Certainly, the looks of the Absolute versions of the DC trinity look much darker and edgier. The heroes of this new universe will be underdogs. They’ll have to be “tougher and more resourceful” than their counterparts, according to Snyder.

Absolute Batman

This series is written by Batman legend Scott Snyder, featuring art by Nick Dragotta. In this iteration, fans will be introduced to a version of the Dark Knight that doesn’t have the money, mansion, or butler of his core-line counterpart. Readers will quickly find out what makes this the “Absolute” version of Batman when the debut issue arrives at participating comic book shops and digital retailers on Wednesday, October 9.

Absolute Wonder Woman

For Diana, there is no island paradise, no sisterhood to shape her, nor a mission of peace. So what is the purpose of an Amazon warrior in this new universe? Eisner Award-winning writer Kelly Thompson and breakout artist Hayden Sherman reinvent her from the ground up in Absolute Wonder Woman #1, on sale October 23.

Absolute Superman

Writer Jason Aaron (Thor) and artist Rafa Sandoval join forces to present a new Man of Steel with the launch of Absolute Superman #1. This Superman has no family, no Fortress of Solitude, and no home. Will he still stand for truth, justice, and a better tomorrow in this new universe? Readers can find out when Absolute Superman #1 hits participating comic book shops on November 6.

DC Universe Ongoing Series

All of this begins in October, with the DC All-In Special. The special will be an 80-page flip book. It contains one side drawn by Wonder Woman artist Daniel Sampere, and the other by artist Wes Craig. The other side of the book will be from the point of view of Darkseid. The seeds for all of this will begin in DC’s current summer crossover event, Absolute Power. The special will reintroduce Darkseid “As he should be, the greatest villain of the DC Universe,” according to Snyder. This will culminate in the much-anticipated return of a new Justice League, formed by Superman. The regular ongoing DC titles will get new creative teams, or new jumping on points for fans. Arriving first in October are the following:

Superman

Superstar artist Dan Mora joins Joshua Williamson in a new story arc spinning out of Absolute Power. One of Superman’s most lethal enemies returns. The Man of Steel and Superwoman (Lois Lane) must now deal with the return of the rampaging Doomsday. But how long will Lois’s newfound powers last? And as if Doomsday isn’t trouble enough, another one of Superman’s greatest enemies lurks in the shadows: the Time Trapper.

Action Comics

Another one of DC’s foundational titles goes weekly beginning in October! “Death of the Phantom Zone” spins directly out of Absolute Power and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest. Writer Mark Waid and artist Clayton Henry plunge Superman into the Phantom Zone to prevent an otherworldly horror from laying waste to Metropolis. In the second story, “Supergirl: Universe End,” Eisner Award winner and Zatanna: Bring Down the House writer Mariko Tamaki and artist Skylar Patridge take Supergirl to the farthest reaches of space. All in pursuit of a mysterious threat only she can handle.

Batman

Chip Zdarsky, Jorge Jiménez, and Carmine Di Giandomenico are back with a vengeance with a new story arc, “The Dying City. It features an unexpected turn from the Riddler, a mysterious new superhero named Commander Star, and the shocking murder of one of Gotham City’s greatest citizens. Batman ships twice monthly in October.

Detective Comics

Following “Gotham Nocturne,” another of DC’s most historic titles gets a new creative team in the form of superstars Tom Taylor (Nightwing) and Mikel Janín, and a new story arc, “Mercy of the Father.” Years after the tragic murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne, a ghost from Gotham City’s past has been lying in wait to strike at Batman ever since that fateful night in Crime Alley. This story will result in major changes for the Dark Knight, and things may never be the same again.

Expect more announcements for new creative teams for the classic ongoing DC titles at Comic-Con, as well as for the new series in the Absolute line.

Originally published July 17, 2024.

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For over thirty-five years, whenever an event in DC had the name “Crisis” in the title, it meant serious, world-altering business. It started with Crisis on Infinite Earths, then continued on to Zero Hour: Crisis in Time, Identity Crisis, Infinite Crisis, Final Crisis, and so on. Now, the DC tradition continues. You can’t kill off almost the whole Justice League without repercussions, right?

Well, folks, those repercussions are here. Coming in May from the creative team of writer Joshua Williamson and artist Daniel Sampere comes the seven-issue event series Dark Crisis. You can read the official description for this new event, and see several preview images, right here:

The Great Darkness Rises

“In the original Crisis on Infinite Earths by Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, the homeworld of Pariah, along with the infinite Multiverse, was obliterated. Now, this mad sole survivor has found a way to bring his homeworld and the entire infinite Multiverse back from the dead. Earth-0 must die. An ancient destructive force called the Great Darkness, first appearing in Swamp Thing by Alan Moore and Stan Woch, is the weapon Pariah will wield as he paves a path to rebirth and vengeance.”

In DC’s next big event, Dark Crisis, the heroes left behind must come together to combat this great evil and save the lost Justice League. But what happens when not everyone agrees to join the fight? Dark Crisis is a monthly event, written by Joshua Williamson, featuring art by Daniel Sampere. It will kick off with Dark Crisis #0 FCBD Special Edition, available on Free Comic Book Day. A special one-shot, Justice League: Road to Dark Crisis arrives at local comics shops on May 31.

Celebrating the Legacy of the DC Multiverse

Judging from the preview art, this will celebrate DC’s history, as well as the modern iterations of the heroes. The promo image shows the original eight members of the Justice League, training their young proteges. These are in their decidedly retro pre-Crisis looks. We also see the JLA encountering the Justice Society of America for the first time. Also, both the ’80s and 2000s’ versions of the Teen Titans. The soon-t0-be deceased Justice League stands beneath many of the heroes they inspired. And the name “Great Darkness” also alludes to the Legion of Super-Heroes’ most epic battle.

In a statement, writer Joshua Williamson said “Dark Crisis is an epic DCU event about legacy. It will have all the giant, fun cosmic battles and Multiversal set pieces. But it’s not about reboots, retcons, or rewriting time and space. At its core, it’s about the characters and the relationships that we’ve seen built over DC’s great history. Dark Crisis spins out of Justice League #75 “Death of the Justice League.” And it connects all the story threads across the DCU since Infinite Frontier #0 in a major way. Unifying the new legacy of the DCU as we honor the classic.”

Artist Daniel Sampere added “It’s a huge event full of epic heart, an event that embraces the past while looking to the future. Joshua and I are the biggest DC fans, and this is our love letter to these characters and this universe.” The one-shot Justice League: Road to Dark Crisis #1 will be available on May 31 and features artists like Dan Jurgens, Phillip Kennedy Johnson, Clayton Henry, Emanuela Lupacchino, Stephanie Phillips, and more. You can read the official solicitations for both books down below:

Dark Crisis #0, Free Comic Book Day Special Edition 

Written by Joshua Williamson / Art by Jim Cheung, Daniel Sampere, and more / Cover by Daniel Sampere

“Witness the rise and fall of the Justice League! The event years in the making is here with Dark Crisis. The Justice League is comics’ greatest super-team. Made up of DC Comics’ legendary Super Heroes, they have saved the world countless times. No crisis was too much for them to handle…until now! The Great Darkness and its army of DC’s most dangerous villains have defeated the Justice League. Now, a new generation of heroes must rise to protect not only the Multiverse…but also the legacy of the DC Universe! A prelude to DC’s biggest story of 2022!”

This issue contains 32 pages. It goes on sale 5/7/22.

Justice League: Road to Dark Crisis #1

Written by Joshua Williamson, Jeremy Adams, Brandon Thomas, Chuck Brown, Stephanie Phillips, and Phillip Kennedy Johnson.

Art by Clayton Henry, Dan Jurgens, Fico Ossio, Emanuela Lupacchino, and Leila Del Duca. Cover by Daniel Sampere

Variant by Chris Burnham / 1:25 variant cover by Raf Sarmento  / $5.99 US / 48 pages / One-shot / Variant $6.99 US (card stock) / On Sale: 5/31/22

“The Justice League has tragically fallen in battle, and now we see the aftermath. How does the world react to the Justice League being gone? Which heroes rise up…and which villains try to take advantage? And what dark forces are lying in wait to attack? An all-star roster of DC talent showcases a world without a Justice League and sets the stage for next month’s Dark Crisis event!”

Dark Crisis #1 (of 7) will begin in June 2022 and release a new issue each month.

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Twenty-five years ago this year, Superman died at the hands of Doomsday. And the issue in which he died, Superman #75, became iconic. Now, Superman is dying again. And in another 75th issue. But this time, so are Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the Justice League. DC Comics has announced that issue #75 of the current Justice League book will be its last. And it will feature almost the entire team dying on a mission. Writer Joshua Williamson (Batman) and artist Rafa Sandoval (The Flash) have the somber duty of laying the world’s greatest heroes to rest.

According to the official description from DC Comics, a new Dark Army, featuring the DCU’s greatest villains, has formed on the edges of the Multiverse. And they pull together the best and most powerful heroes in an epic war to push the darkness back. In the end, the Dark Army kills the Justice League. And with only one survivor left to warn the remaining heroes of Earth about what is coming for them. You can check out the cover for this landmark issue below.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Williamson talked about the inspiration that Superman#75 had on this story. He said “I think one reason that story was so powerful was that after the ‘Funeral for a Friend‘ story, there were no Superman comics for three months. That’s part of what led us to make the decision that this is the last issue of Justice League. But then three months later, there’s still not gonna be a Justice League comic. It’s gonna be a while, and that’s gonna be a major part of what the DCU looks like after this story: There is no Justice League.”

As for which Leaguers die, the ones going on the mission include Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern (John Stewart), Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl, Aquaman, Green Arrow, Black Canary, and Zatanna. (Interestingly, no Flash). And the variant cover shows caskets for Clark, Bruce, Diana, Arthur, and John. All five of those heroes currently carry several monthly books. So the real question remaining is how those titles will deal with it. Will they exist in their own little pocket, or will they reflect the events of Justice League #75? Could Nightwing take over the Batman titles, and Jon Kent take over Action Comics? We wouldn’t be surprised.

Issue 75 of Justice League will be a 48-page issue, and arrives on April 19.

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JOSHUA WILLIAMSON

Locke and Key

IDW Publishing

Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriquez’s horror series is high up there for me. I know with the show it’s finding a bigger audience. It’s something everyone should check out in the comics form. It’s a masterpiece.

Flinch

DC Comics

The DC anthology series. It’s a lot of fun twisted stories that I think most people have never checked out. Hit all the right beats for me.

Through the Woods

Margaret K. McElderry Books

Emily Carroll’s horror graphic novel is breathtakingly beautiful. Twisted and emotional. Still think about this one when I’m planning out how are issues are paced.

Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark

Scholastic

Not a comic but this series was a huge influence on me and my writing. It’s such an awesome horror book series that I wish someone would adapt into comics. Especially that art style inside! Even the back matter is fascinating when they go into the origins and backstory on the stories.

MIKE HENDERSON

Uzumaki

Viz Media

An inspirational classic for anyone trying to craft a horror story. Of all the comics I’ve read, none elicit an audible “ick” from me in the way Junji Ito’s art can. I mean, all that bone-breaking! Terrifying.

From Hell

Eddie Campbell Comics, Top Shelf Productions

I’m an unapologetic devotee of all things Alan Moore and this is one of his masterpieces. Sprawling, nuanced, spooky and gory, Eddie Campbell’s art has everything, and all in black and white!

Batman: The Long Halloween

DC Comics

While not strictly horror it ticks all my murdery boxes and is just a schmorgasboard of gorgeous Tim Sale art.

JOHN J. HILL

Faust

Tim Vigil

Back in the 80s / early 90s this was probably the most over the top comic being published. A weird mix of superheroics, horror, magic, sex & violence… not for the faint of heart (or those under 18). I loved how far the boundaries were pushed, and how subtlety isn’t always a prerequisite.

House of Secrets

Mid 90’s anthology that was a great non Sandman example Vertigo at its prime. A haunted house story at its core, with stories taking place in all different places and time periods. You never know what direction things will take from issue to issue.

Swamp Thing

DC Comics

Creepy, heroic, psychedelic, mind-blowing. Some of the best comic writers and artists have contributed to the book over the years, and it’s really interesting to see all these different takes. Definitely in my top 5 characters and comic series of all time.

Tales From the Crypt

EC Comics

While not the first horror comic, it’s one of the first to really do things right. And inspired several generations of writers, artists and filmmakers. What’s great about these comics is the multiple short stories per issue, all self contained. Today we’re so used to long form episodic stories, it’s refreshing to go back and see these chilling tales told in only a handful of pages from start to finish.

ADAM GUZOWSKI

Hellboy

Dark Horse Comics

Mike Mignola and Dave Stewart create such a wonderfully beautiful world filled with the darkest creepiest stories you can find in comics.

The Immortal Hulk

Marvel

I got the 1st hardcover a few moths back and could not put it down. Fantastic dark spin on a classic charter.

So there you have it: some truly exciting, thrilling, and strange horror comics from a great horror team to entertain and delight during this tough time!

Featured Image: Viz Media, Margaret K. McElderry Books, Eddie Campbell Comics, Top Shelf Productions

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Skybound Entertainment and Universal Pictures have announced Image Comics series Birthright is being developed as a feature film, with Despicable Me writers Cinco Paul and Ken Daurio set to write the script. According to the press release, “Birthright follows the story of the Rhodes family who suffer the unthinkable when their young son Mikey disappears. The story follows the family as they discover just what happened to Mikey.”

Joshua Williamson and Andrei Bressan‘s epic fantasy story is one of the coolest series to come from Image Comics in the past few years. It centers on a family that has to face the unimaginable when their young son goes missing in the woods. But one year later, their child returns as a fully grown adult, having come back from a world that no one can even imagine. Birthright is a a story as much about family dynamics as it is about Dark Crystal style epic fantasy.

According to Skybound president Bryan Furst, “Birthright has been a part of Skybound’s top-tier comic roster for almost three years now and we’re thrilled to expand upon its large, sweeping story. We’re so inspired by Cinco and Ken’s passion for Josh and Andrei’s brilliant comic, and couldn’t imagine better voices to bring heart and humor to this unique family adventure.”

In a statement from series co-creator Joshua Williamson, the writer said, “Birthright is a giant fantasy epic, but at its core it’s a story about family, and I’m really excited that a creative team who values those same storytelling elements will be adapting Birthright. Andrei and I have put so much of ourselves into developing the Birthright comic and we know that Cinco, Ken and the entire Skybound team will do the same as they adapt it for the big screen.”

Birthright joins as the third feature attached to Skybound Entertainment’s first look deal with Universal. Previously announced projects include Robert Kirkman‘s long-running comic series Invincible and the Skybound/Image comic series Kill the Minotaur. With so many movies coming based on Marvel, DC, and now Valiant Comics, it’s great to see the treasure trove of creator-owned books from Image, which have made for some of the best comic book series of the past decade, finally get their shot at big screen glory.

Are you excited to see this latest fantasy epic come to the big screen? Let us know in the comments.

Images: Skybound Entertainment / Image Comics

Read more about comics!

• An exclusive preview of DC Comics’ The Silencer.
• Revisit the history of the X-Men in a new documentary.
• DC Comics’ No Justice means change for the Justice League.

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The Justice League line-up of books have been pretty stable for the past several years over at DC Comics, with the core title focusing on the “Big 7” heroes, occasionally trading out Green Lanterns here and there. But now the team is going to be getting their biggest roster shake up in a very long time, and it’s coming courtesy of Scott Snyder, the man whose Batman run with artist Greg Capullo is one of the most legendary in the Dark Knight’s entire career.

Now we’ve learned that the fallout from the currently running Dark Nights Metal mini-series from Synder and Capullo will see the formation of a new League. Metal, which saw Batman and the other DC heroes take on the residents of the Dark Multiverse, will end on March 14 with issue #6. This will be followed by a new four-issue weekly miniseries that kicks off on May 9 called Justice League: No Justice, which will be co-written by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Joshua Williamson with art by Francis Manapul.

When this weekly event is over, it will change the status-quo of the Justice League books, resulting in a new family on League titles, starting in June. The current Rebirth-era League books will end this spring, with Justice League #43 wrapping up the current iteration of the series, and Steve Orlando’s Justice League of America ending with issue #29. The new flagship Justice League book will be written by Scott Snyder, with Tynion and Joshua Williamson handling the other books in the line.

In a statement from Scott Snyder, the esteemed writer said “we thought we knew the entire map of the DC cosmos. We thought we had explored all there was to explore. But now we know that all this time the Multiverse was nothing but a fishbowl, and now we’ve been dumped into the ocean, unleashing terrifying new threats, and wondrous new possibilities. Metal opened up channels of storytelling that Francis, James, Joshua and I are excited to explore in a big way. When we’re finished, fans will never look at the Justice League in the same way again.”

In this four-issue miniseries, the super-villain Brainiac arrives on Earth with a dire warning for the Justice League: there’s a threat coming to destroy Earth, one that the heroes are ill-equipped to handle.  Brainiac thinks he holds the key to victory, but it means combining members of the League with some of the most dangerous villains in the DC Universe and sending them into battle against this extinction-level menace. The stakes are at their absolute highest; if one of these teams fail. It’s game over.

For the mini-series at least, the League will be split into four teams, each with very interesting rosters. “Team Mystery” will feature Superman, the Martian Manhunter (making his long awaited return to the League), Starfire, Sinestro, and Starro. Yes, that Starro, the giant starfish that fought the Justice League of America in their very first appearance in 1960.

“Team Entropy” seems to be led by Batman, and will feature Deathstroke, Lobo, Lex Luthor, and Beast Boy. All aside from Beast Boy are former villains. That should prove fun for Batman.

“Team Wonder” is led by — you guessed it — Wonder Woman. This magic based crew has Raven, Dr. Fate, Zatanna, and Etrigan the Demon in its line-up.

And finally, “Team Wisdom” features the Flash, Cyborg, Harley Quinn, the Atom, and Robin (Damian Wayne). Not sure how Harley fits in with wisdom, but there it is.

So what’s our takeaway from these teams? For starters, for the first time in a long time, no Aquaman on the team, and no Green Lanterns to speak of. Five members of the Titans/Teen Titans are part of the team, including all the members who are associated with the Teen Titans Go! animated series. Does this mean Titans or Teen Titans are getting cancelled? Too soon to say. It would also seem Black Canary, the Ray, Killer Frost, and Vixen didn’t make the cut either for this new League. According to Manapul’s preliminary art, it looks like each team will be color-coded as well.

“I’m laying out the biggest action of my life,” said Manapul in a statement. “The Justice League realizes that they need to expand their reach to become something bigger than they have ever been before. If you thought my work for Justice League: Darkseid War was huge, I’m taking the League to the edge of the cosmos with NO JUSTICE. Anyone who has asked for Harley Quinn, Martian Manhunter, Starfire, Zatanna, the Atom, Raven, or Doctor Fate to be in their personal Justice League will stand up and cheer.”

The Rebirth era has heralded some of the best DC stories in years, as their writers now seem to understand just what makes the DCU so endearing, in a way most writers didn’t understand during the New 52 era. Scott Snyder has been the most consistent voice at DC through both the New 52 and Rebirth eras, so his given the keys to the company’s biggest franchise seems like a no-brainer. Dark Nights Metal has been the kind of mind bendy, multiversal fun that DC has excelled at for decades. Here’s hoping that the artist paired with Snyder on the Justice League flagship title is none other than Greg Capullo. Because as the saying goes, “if it ain’t broke…”

For more concept art for No Justice, as well as images from issue #1,  check out our gallery down below.

What do you think of the big changes in store for DC’s premiere team? Let us know your thoughts down below in the comments.

Images: DC Comics

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If you currently are enjoying The Flash on the CW, then you have no excuse left to not read the excellent comic book counterpart that’s part of the current DC Rebirth lineup from writer Joshua Williamson. And just as the younger Wally West has taken on the mantle of Kid Flash on the television series, Wally in the comics is also coming into his power as Kid Flash in the comics as well. But while TV Wally’s father is the world’s best dad, detective Joe West, in the comics Wally’s father is none other than the Flash’s opposite number, the Reverse-Flash, Daniel West (in the current DC Comics continuity, Daniel West is Iris’ brother, and Wally her nephew).

In recent months, Barry Allen has had his hands full, first having to to contend with an assortment of new speedsters in Central City, among them the villainous Godspeed. Oh, and did we forget to mention the return of his deadly Rogue’s Gallery? And all the while he’s taking on a new junior partner named Wally West and training him, just as he did with the previous Wally (that Wally is the current Wally’s older cousin named after the same relative, and is now the grown up Flash #2 that appears in the pages of Titans. Yeah, I know, just go with it). But will Barry and Wally be able to handle the return of the Reverse-Flash? May the (Speed) Force be with them!You can check out our exclusive extended preview of the first five pages of The Flash #18  in our gallery below!

Publisher: DC Comics

Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artists: Neil Googe
Cover Artists: Carmine Di Giandomenico, Dave Johnson (Variant)

Here’s the official synopsis:

The Flash#18  is due to hit stores on Wednesday, March 8.

Are you looking forward to seeing the return the Rebirth version of the Reverse- Flash? Let us know what you think down below in the comments.

Images: DC Comics

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