Celebrate this Batman Day with Batman of Two Worlds, a one-shot comic book debuting globally on September 19, 2026. Available for $2.99 US at participating comic book shops worldwide, Batman of Two Worlds is the centerpiece of Batman Day 2026, a global, multi-platform event that invites fans of all ages to visit their local comics shop, discover new stories, and share their passion for DC’s Caped Crusader together.
Featuring all-new Batman and Absolute Batman stories in a single comic book, Batman of Two Worlds showcases two distinct visions of Gotham City’s protector and demonstrates why there has never been a more exciting time to be a Batman fan.
TWO ICONIC WORLDS. ONE HISTORIC EVENT.
Two worlds. One legendary hero. Batman of Two Worlds features an all-new Batman story by writer Matt Fraction and artist Javi Fernández, with colors by Tomeu Morey and letters by Clayton Cowles, alongside an all-new Absolute Batman story by writer Scott Snyder and artist Nick Derington, with colors by Frank Martin and letters by Tom Napolitano, celebrating the versatility of the World’s Greatest Detective. From the streets of Gotham City to the bold new landscape of the Absolute Universe, each story offers a unique perspective on Batman’s unwavering pursuit of justice. DC’s Batman of Two Worlds cover is by Jorge Jiménez, Nick Dragotta, and Frank Martin.
Celebrate this Batman Day with Batman of Two Worlds, a one-shot comic book debuting globally on September 19, 2026. Available for $2.99 US at participating comic book shops worldwide, Batman of Two Worlds is the centerpiece of Batman Day 2026, a global, multi-platform event that invites fans of all ages to visit their local comics shop, discover new stories, and share their passion for DC’s Caped Crusader together.
Featuring all-new Batman and Absolute Batman stories in a single comic book, Batman of Two Worlds showcases two distinct visions of Gotham City’s protector and demonstrates why there has never been a more exciting time to be a Batman fan.
TWO ICONIC WORLDS. ONE HISTORIC EVENT.
Two worlds. One legendary hero. Batman of Two Worlds features an all-new Batman story by writer Matt Fraction and artist Javi Fernández, with colors by Tomeu Morey and letters by Clayton Cowles, alongside an all-new Absolute Batman story by writer Scott Snyder and artist Nick Derington, with colors by Frank Martin and letters by Tom Napolitano, celebrating the versatility of the World’s Greatest Detective. From the streets of Gotham City to the bold new landscape of the Absolute Universe, each story offers a unique perspective on Batman’s unwavering pursuit of justice. DC’s Batman of Two Worlds cover is by Jorge Jiménez, Nick Dragotta, and Frank Martin.
FOUR UNIQUE BATMAN MASKS
Available at participating local comics shops globally on Batman Day will be paper masks featuring Batman, Absolute Batman, Hush Batman, and Dark Knight Returns Batman. All four masks are by Ryan Sook, drawn in the styles of Jorge Jiménez, Nick Dragotta, Jim Lee, and Frank Miller respectively. Batman Day activities vary by retailer, so ask your local comics shop about masks, promotions, costumes, and other ways to celebrate.
FIVE NEW HARDCOVERS
Batman fans can also celebrate Batman Day with five major hardcover releases, available at a participating comic book shop near you:
Batman Vol. 1: Daylight(HC, $29.99 US) by Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez, with a new Batman Day cover by Jiménez paying homage to Absolute Batman #1’s cover by Nick Dragotta
Batman ’89(HC, $29.99 US) by Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones, with a Batman Day exclusive dust jacket with artwork from the 1989 Batman movie and a digital code for the film
Batman: H2SH Volume One(HC, $29.99 US) by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee
Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Deluxe Edition (HC, $44.99 US) by Frank Miller, with a new cover by Raymond Swanland featuring artwork from the animated adaptations and a digital code for the animated movies
Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham – The Deluxe Edition (HC, $34.99 US) by Rafael Grampá
Batman: H2SH Volume One will be published day-and-date globally with publishing partners in Argentina (OVNI), Bulgaria (Pro Books), Brazil (Panini), Germany (Panini), Italy (Panini), Poland (Story House Egmont), and Finland (Egmont Kustannus). Additional international releases will include the Czech Republic (Crew) and more.
DCUI is also partnering with WB Games to offer members free Batcave Props in LEGO® Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. Connecting your DCUI account with any subscription tier (Free, Standard or Ultra) to your WB Games account will get you a Comic Rack Batcave Prop. Premium DCUI subscribers (Standard, Ultra or Free Trial) will receive an additional Jarro Batcave Prop!
If you’re not already a DCUI member, take advantage of DC’s special Batman Day offer and claim a 30-day Free Trial to the Ultra Monthly plan! DCUI is not available in all countries and is not intended for children. For more information, visit DCUniverseInfinite.com or DC.com/batman.
THOUSANDS OF COMICS SHOPS AROUND THE WORLD
Comic book shops, bookstores, publishers, and retail partners across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Japan are bringing Batman Day to life with creator signings, cosplay contests, giveaways, retailer-exclusive merchandise, charity initiatives, special guests, and fan activities throughout the day.
San Antonio — Heroes & Fantasies (San Antonio, TX) will host Batman cosplay photo opportunities, local artists, Batman Day giveaways, and fundraising activities benefiting ComicBooks For Kids!
Austin — Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy (Austin, TX) will feature a celebrity signing with Patricia Peters, Michelle Pfeiffer’s stunt double from Batman Returns, along with cosplay photo opportunities and a Tim Burton Batmobile replica.
Savannah — Neighborhood Comics (Savannah, GA) will host a Gotham cosplay contest with prizes for fans.
Buenos Aires — OVNI Press will celebrate Batman Day with a free nighttime costume party featuring cosplay contests, prizes, music, and Batman-themed activities.
Italy — Panini Comics Italy will support participating shops across the country with Batman of Two Worlds comics, collectible masks, pin sets, and Batman-themed promotional items, highlighted by a signing appearance from Corrado Roi in Milan.
Brazil — Panini Brasil will celebrate Batman Day with exclusive events, influencer activities, special releases, and appearances by artist Alex Shibao.
SIX ASSASSINS. ONE CITY. COUNTLESS WAYS TO DIE! Six of the world’s deadliest killers have descended on Gotham City at once — but who hired them, and who’s the target? Surely, it can’t be the Batman…
As the Caped Crusader races to uncover who set this deadly plan in motion, the late Alfred Pennyworth provides a gift from beyond the grave with the arrival of a brilliant new ally to the Bat-Family at a time when it needs one most.
THE OJO RETURNS TO GOTHAM CITY WITH HER DEADLY SIGHTS SET ON UNFINISHED BUSINESS! The deadliest woman in the world wielding two blades is back, and her quest for blood puts her on a collision course with the Caped Crusader — and as chaos ensues, Vandal Savage’s corrupt GCPD won’t be far behind! If that weren’t enough, the sinister Minotaur, squeezing Gotham’s underworld, finds himself on a path to reckoning, courtesy of the Penguin!
Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez deliver an action-packed chapter of their smash-hit series that critics are calling “a blockbuster reinvention” and “a perfect comic book.”
ONE DARK NIGHT CAN’T KEEP THE BATMAN DOWN! The GCPD’s Operation Peregine struck a deep blow to the heart of the Bat-Family. But while Savage and his TUCOs celebrate their victory, Batman is about to set the record straight. He knows how to take a punch. He knows how to get back up. And he’s about to show Vandal Savage, the Minotaur, and anyone else who threatens Gotham City exactly what they’re messing with. Superstars Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez continue their triumphant run with the best character in comics!
As the sun sets on Gotham City, something ancient wakes beneath its streets! In Batman: Bad Seeds, the next major Batman event kicking off in August and running through October, Poison Ivy unleashes a desperate act of eco-terror that transforms Gotham into a hostile landscape of prehistoric plant life. Told across one long, dark night, the event unfolds as Gotham’s heroes, villains, and civilians fight to survive.
Led by showrunners Matt Fraction and G. Willow Wilson, Batman: Bad Seeds is a Gotham-wide comic book crossover that pulls every corner of the city into the crisis. While Fraction (Batman) and Wilson (Poison Ivy) steer the event’s core narrative, the writers and artists behind Detective Comics, Batgirl, Batwoman, Catwoman, Nightwing, and Harley Quinn each deliver pivotal chapters that track Gotham’s transformation as the night deepens. Across ten weeks, readers will follow the crisis as it spreads from block to block, title to title.
As Ivy’s plants spread, Gotham begins to mutate—buildings swallowed by vines, streets overtaken by carnivorous flora, and entire neighborhoods reverting to a primordial state. With the Bat-Family hunted, the GCPD fractured under Commissioner Vandal Savage’s militarized rule, and civilians trapped in a city turning against them, Gotham City becomes a living battleground where every chapter brings a new evolution.
On August 26, DC will publish a Batman: Bad Seeds prelude in Poison Ivy #47.Written by G. Willow Wilson with art by Leandro Fernandez, a main cover by Jessica Fong, and variant covers by Noobovich, Kyuyong Eom, and Manny Vincent Carbonilla, this prelude issue reveals that Gotham City is done with Mayor Pamela Isley—there’s just one problem for everyone there: she’s not done with them.
Then, also on August 26, the Batman: Bad Seeds event officially begins with Batman: Bad Seeds – Sunset #1. Written by Matt Fraction and G. Willow Wilson with art and cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cliff Rathburn, and Tomeu Morey, plus variant covers by Dan Mora, Marcio Takara, Jorge Jiménez, and Jeff Spokes (Glow-in-the-Dark), this unforgettable first chapter opens as the sun goes down and Gotham loses power, showing that the only thing scarier than the night…might just be the morning sun. Gotham City’s mayor, Pamela Isley—deserted by her allies both political and arcane—is about to make a last-ditch power play that will leave Gotham decimated by daybreak. Having already declared war on the Bat-Family and flooded the streets with his private, paramilitarized police army, Police Commissioner Vandal Savage sees an opportunity to solve two problems at once!
Following August’s prelude and kickoff, the event continues across September and October in the pages of Batman, Poison Ivy, Detective Comics, Batgirl, Batwoman, Catwoman, Nightwing, and Harley Quinn, alongside several new event titles. More details on these chapters will be revealed in the coming months as DC unveils the full scope of Batman: Bad Seeds.
LEGENDARY CREATORS TAKE ON THE MAN OF STEEL AND YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN!
The Last Son of Krypton meets your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man! When journalists Clark Kent and Peter Parker find themselves chasing the same story, the conspiracy they uncover could change the world–especially if Brainiac and Doctor Octopus have anything to say about it. (And we bet they do!) Good thing our intrepid newshounds are secretly Superman and the amazing Spider-Man.
Story: Mark Waid, Tom King, Christopher Priest, Sean Murphy, Matt Fraction, Jeff Lemire, Greg Rucka, Gail Simone Art: Jorge Jimenez, Jim Lee, Daniel Sampere, Sean Murphy, Steve Lieber Ink: Scott Williams, Rafa Sandoval, Nicla Scott, Belen Ortega Color: Tomeu Morrey, Alex Sinclair, Alejandro Sanchez, Simon Gough, Nathan Fairbairn, Ulises Arreola, Marcelo Maiolo, Jordie Bellaire Letterer: Tom Napolitano, Pat Brosseau, Willie Schubert, Andworld Design, Clayton Cowles, Becca Carey, Ariana Maher, Lucas Gattoni
Get your copy now! To find a comic shop near you, visit http://www.comicshoplocator.com or call 1-888-comicbook or digitally and online with the links below.
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Story 1 — “Truth, Justice, and Great Responsibility” by Mark Waid, Jorge Jiménez, Tomeu Morey and Tom Napolitano Story 2 — “ The World’s Finest” by Tom King, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Alex Sinclair and Pat Brosseau Story 3 — “Pages” by Christopher Priest, Daniel Sampere, Alejandro Sánchez and Willie Schubert Story 4 — “Beyond the Cobwebs of Tomorrow” by Sean Murphy, Simon Gough and Andworld Design Story 5 — “Jimmy Con Carnage” by Matt Fraction, Steve Lieber, Nathan Fairbairn and Clayton Cowles Story 6 — “The Bridge” by Jeff Lemire, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola and Becca Carey Story 7 — “Bias” by Greg Rucka, Nicola Scott, Marcelo Maiolo, and Ariana Maher Story 8 — “Blind Date” by Gail Simone, Belén Ortega, Jordie Bellaire and Lucas Gattoni
LEGENDARY CREATORS TAKE ON THE MAN OF STEEL AND YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN! Written by Mark Waid, Tom King, Matt Fraction, Sean Murphy, Gail Simone, Christopher Priest, Greg Rucka and Jeff Lemire Art by Jorge Jimenez, Jim Lee, Steve Lieber, Sean Murphy, Belen Ortega, Daniel Sampere, Nicola Scott and Rafa Sandoval The Last Son of Krypton meets your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man!
When journalists Clark Kent and Peter Parker find themselves chasing the same story, the conspiracy they uncover could change the world — especially if Brainiac and Doctor Octopus have anything to say about it. (And we bet they do!) Good thing our intrepid newshounds are secretly Superman and the amazing Spider-Man. Brought to you by legendary storytellers Mark Waid and Jorge Jimenez.
And don’t miss these bonus stories: Tom King and Jim Lee tell a tale of Lois Lane and Mary Jane Watson. Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber revisit Superman’s pal Jimmy Olsen… and Carnage! Sean Murphy, meanwhile, takes us to the future with Superboy (Legion) and Spider-Man 2099. Gail Simone teams up with Belen Ortega for a look at what happens when Power Girl meets Punisher. Christopher Priest and Daniel Sampere show us a time when Superboy Prime (who reads all the comics) decided to visit Spider-Man right after he got the black suit. Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott take us on an exciting race — between the Daily Planet and the Daily Bugle. Plus, we finally get to answer the age-old question of who would win in a fair fight, Pa Kent or Uncle Ben! Just kidding, those guys are too nice to fight each other, but Jeff Lemire and Rafa Sandoval will take us deep into the past to see the two men bond in the face of adversity. Celebrate 50 years of DC/Marvel crossovers with eight new original stories by some of DC’s top talent!
As Batman is beckoned to Arkham Towers by the mysterious man in Room Ten, nothing will prepare him for who he finds there. Some might call him the Caped Crusader’s archnemesis. Others might call him Batman’s best friend. Everyone calls him the Joker.
Books like Batman #5 are why I love superhero comics. Matt Fraction, Jorge Jimenez, and Tomeu Morey create an entire issue that is centered around Bruce Wayne, not Batman, being chased by ninjas while on a kind of, sort of date with Dr. Annika Zeller, an Arkham employee who has invented something called the Crown of Storms to regulate electrical signals. So, of course, she’s on the run from rival ninja gangs, including Ojo aka Lady Death Man. There’s flirting, tension, cool gadgets, and a killer final page when an action from one of Wayne’s allies
Although, Jimenez has a much different art style from David Aja, Batman #5 reminded me a lot of another Fraction comic, Hawkeye #3 aka the freeway car chase issue where Clint Barton and Kate Bishop try out all the trick arrows. (It was adapted pretty well in the 2021 Disney Plus series too.) Batman #4 set up all kinds of labyrinthine plotting while this issue is all about a man getting a woman to safety and also dealing with his feelings about her. Of course, Dr. Zeller is a gorgeous woman, but Bruce is more attracted to lack of fear in solving mental health crises and speaking truth to power in a way that’s earned the ire of two and definitely more criminal syndicates. Even though the costume and cowl are miles away, some of his real personality comes out in this issue as he listens to her talk about innovative ways to make Gotham a better place, which is something he can assist through Bruce Wayne’s money and not just Batman’s fists. Finally, it’s so wholesome how protective Bruce is of Annika like when he immediately throws her into the safety of the dumpster when Ojo confronts him in an alley.
However, most of this issue is Jorge Jimenez and Morey turning in one of the coolest car chases (in comics) period. Seriously, there’s a double page spread that plays with time in an utterly insane way when Bruce catches a lock of Annika’s hair that was cut off by a biker gang member between her uttering “Oh God”. In this series of panels, you know what it’s like to have the reflexes of Gotham’s boy billionaire, who is also the Dark Knight. Specificity in sound effects from letterer Clayton Cowles and Jimenez are key in this and other segments of the chase sequences, and you hear the sword and the enemy’s body hit the side of the car before cutting to a small panel in silhouette that’s pure dark slapstick. In his colors, Tomeu Morey finds a happy medium between complex digital work and old school flat colors. When in doubt, pink and black look fantastic, and this scheme shows up in the issue’s movie poster-worthy title page along with the hand to hand fight between Bruce and Ojo.
Batman #5 also uses the high adrenaline action to fuel a kind of identity crisis for Bruce Wayne. He has to do Batman things to get through the issue, but has no access to his costume or gadgets beyond a sick suit of light body armor that’s also moisture wicking. Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez effectively use tics in Bruce’s vocabulary and shifts in body language to show when he’s blending or crossing over different parts of his dual identity. Of course, Ojo calls him out on this behavior, and this leads to Jimenez drawing his best, mean mugging action pose. Bruce Wayne is definitely more comfortable drifting cars and shifting gears than being a man in a business suit.
I love romantic comedies. I love action movies. So, I loved loved Batman #5. This comic is a showcase for Jorge Jimenez’s virtuosic art, Tomeu Morey’s ability to set the mood through colors, and also Fraction’s skill at quickly creating romantic chemistry and letting his artist cook. But, in a very cranked-to-eleven way, it demonstrates the best way to really know what someone is like is in a stressful situation, and I think Bruce passed with flying colors. (Until the final page.)
