DC's News from ComicsPro 2026

New Absolute Universe Series Announced, DC Next Level Expands with Teen Titans, and Gotham Faces “BAD SEEDS” in a Major Q3 Event

Today at ComicsPro in Glendale, CA, DC thanked Direct Market comic book retailers for their support throughout 2025 and unveiled new details about the publisher’s 2026 comic book lineup. DC’s presentation highlighted the next wave of DC Vertigo titles, a new event miniseries coming in the Absolute Universe, major additions to DC Next Level, and a first look at a Gotham City event arriving later this year.

DC Vertigo Continues Its 2026 Rollout

Following the successful launch of Bleeding Hearts, End of Life, and The Nice House by the Sea—with The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery launching February 25—DC shared updates on the forthcoming slate of DC Vertigo titles arriving throughout 2026. Beginning this summer, Vertigo will publish 100 Bullets: The US of ANGER and Fanatic, followed in the fall by Necretatious and Black Tower: The Raven Conspiracy. Winter 2026 will see the arrival of The Crying Doll and A Walking Shadow, rounding out the imprint’s first full year of its return.

DC Absolute Universe Expands with Green Arrow and Catwoman, Plus a Tease of the First Absolute Event Mini-Series

DC announced two new series set in the Absolute Universe: Absolute Green Arrow by Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque, launching May 20, and Absolute Catwoman by Che Grayson, Scott Snyder, and Bengal, launching June 10. Both titles continue the imprint’s mission to reimagine iconic DC characters in bold, continuity-free stories from top creators.

DC also teased that the first Absolute Universe event miniseries will arrive in Q4 2026, with additional details to be revealed later this year.

Absolute Catwoman cover by Bengal; Absolute Green Arrow cover by Rafael Albuquerque

DC Next Level Reveals Teen Titans and More for Summer 2026

Retailers were shown a new trailer for DC Next Level, highlighting the initiative’s rollout through the first half of the year. Lobo #1, Batwoman #1, and Deathstroke: The Terminator #1 will all launch on March 18, followed by The Fury of Firestorm #1 on April 8 and Zatanna #1 on April 29.

DC then spotlighted two newly announced Next Level titles arriving this summer: Barbara Gordon: Breakout by Mariko Tamaki and Amancay Nahuelpan in May, and The Deadman by W. Maxwell Prince and Martín Morazzo in June.

Barbara Gordon: Breakout #1 main cover by Karl Kerschl; The Deadman #1 main cover by Martín Morazzo and Chris O’Halloran

Retailers were also provided a look at DC’s upcoming slate of Next Level titles ahead of solicitation, including Legion of Super-Heroes, Doom Patrol, Jonah Hex, The Demon, and Batman: Shadow of the Bat. Creative teams and launch dates will be announced soon.

DC’s ComicsPro presentation further revealed the next major Next Level series: Teen Titans, launching this summer from Kyle Higgins and Daniele Di Nicuolo, the acclaimed team behind Power Rangers: Shattered Grid. In Teen Titans, Red Hood uncovers a network of missing powered teens and reluctantly joins forces with a new generation of plugged-in, hyper-capable young heroes to find them and expose the lie dividing their world.

Teen Titans character designs by Daniele Di Nicuolo

Gotham Faces “BAD SEEDS” in a Major Q3 Event

DC closed its publishing announcements with a first look at “BAD SEEDS”, a Gotham City event arriving in Q3 2026. Gotham City police commissioner Vandal Savage has declared war on the Bat-Family and flooded the streets with his private, para-militarized police army. Gotham’s new mayor, Pamela Isley, deserted by her allies both political and arcane, is about to make a last-ditch power play that will leave all of Gotham decimated by daylight.

These events converge in “BAD SEEDS”, spanning a long, dark night in Gotham that threatens to turn the entire city into a primeval world of hostile plant life unlike anything on Earth for millennia, at a time when its greatest heroes are hunted and in hiding. More details on “BAD SEEDS” will be shared in the months ahead.

“BAD SEEDS” promo by Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cliff Rathburn, and Tomeu Morey

Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

To conclude the presentation, DC reminded retailers that 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns. DC shared an overview of the publishing program and products planned throughout the year to celebrate Frank Miller, Klaus Janson and Lynn Varley’s landmark series.

For the latest DC publishing updates, follow DC on social media or visit dc.com. The DC UNIVERSE INFINITE digital subscription platform (DCUI) is a great way to explore DC’s comics. For details and a free trial, visit dcuniverseinfinite.com. DCUI is not available in all countries and is not intended for children.

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Al Mega: I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!