What lies beyond our universe? To answer this impossible question, Academy Award-winning producer Jeremy Lambert reunites with Claire Roe, his artistic collaborator from Scott Snyder’s Dark Spaces, for The Caretaker, a brand-new ongoing series available from Ignition Press on February 10th, 2027, featuring a double-length first issue.
In 1976, Neil Armstrong led a caving expedition into the Andes, following rumors of hidden extraterrestrial artifacts. That’s a true story. Officially, the mission was a failure. That is where the lie begins.
Graduate assistant and aspiring astronaut Jenny Brennan makes a harrowing discovery that fuses her life—and the fate of mankind—to an alien god known as the Caretaker, who warns of our galaxy’s imminent demise.
Under the Caretaker’s influence, Jenny will balance her role as the public face of NASA’s space program with the secret burden of piloting a world-saving suicide mission beyond the known universe—a sacrifice shouldered over the years by her ailing father and the two sons following in her footsteps.
When an intrepid conspiracy theorist makes moves to expose the truth, the ties that bind will beckon Jenny home…and Earth’s emotional gravity could jeopardize its survival in the Caretaker’s own cosmic family feud.
The Caretaker is a haunting sci-fi adventure that will test the limits of love and responsibility.
The Caretaker #1 is available in comic shops February 10th, 2027 from writer Jeremy Lambert and artist Claire Roe, with colors by Eisner Award winner Jordie Bellaire and letters by Becca Carey. This issue features two open-to-order covers from series artist Roe and Sam Wolfe Connelly, along with a 1-in-10 retailer incentive cover by Nick Derington.
To celebrate the 2026 Batman Day, DC has released this comic featuring two stories starring Batman and Absolute Batman!
Story: Matt Fraction, Scott Snyder Art: Javi Fernandez, Nick Derington Color: Tomeu Morey, Frank Martin Letterer: Clayton Cowles, Javi Fernandez, Tom Napolitano
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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.
DC has announced Batman of Two Worlds #1, a Batman Day 2026 comic book debuting globally on September 19, 2026, in participating markets around the world.
Batman of Two Worlds #1 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.
Available exclusively on Batman Day 2026, Batman of Two Worlds #1 will be on sale for $2.99 US at participating local comic book shops worldwide. DC’s Batman of Two Worlds #1 cover is by Jorge Jiménez, Nick Dragotta, and Frank Martin.
Meet Clark Kent, a young reporter who just learned that the world will soon come to an end (Crisis on Infinite Earths) and there is nothing he can do to save it. Sounds like a job for his alter ego…Superman! Superman: Space Agefrom critically acclaimed writer Mark Russell and Eisner-winner artist Mike Allred will be available in comic shops on July 26, 2022.
After years of standing idle, the young man from Krypton defies the wishes of his fathers to come out to the world as the first superhero of the Space Age. As each decade passes and each new danger emerges, he wonders if this is the one that will kill him and everyone he loves. Superman realizes that even good intentions are not without their backlash as the world around him transforms into a place as determined to destroy itself as he is to save it.
Uniting the critically acclaimed writer Mark Russell and Eisner-winner Mike Allred for the first time, this series promises fans an unforgettable journey through U.S. history and culture starring our beloved characters.
The first of three issues will be available at local comic book stores on July 26, with a new issue coming out every two months. Superman: Space Age #1 features a main cover by Mike Allred, open to order variant cover by Steve Rude, a 1:25 variant cover by Nick Derington and a 1:50 variant cover by Mike Allred.
For a DC Comics first, the publisher’s first black Batman as part of its official cannon and multiverse, Future State: The Next Batman #1 is somewhat underwhelming. That’s not to say it’s a bad comic, but given its short runtime and the fact this was to be a momentous occasion, this first entry of the miniseries set within the world of Future State is not the statement on the future of DC I thought it would be.
But these observations largely concern the new Batman’s character development and plot progression domains. I believe writer John Ridley could’ve gone for a more explosive opening rather than the more subdued and slow-paced intro he settled for.
Fortunately, Future State: The Next Batman #1 is very much a two-sided coin, with the other side belonging to Nick Derington’s kinetic and vibrant illustrations and Tamra Bonvillain’s pop-like colors. What this team achieved with their share of the storytelling goes above and beyond what the words accomplished, giving us a new and truly different take on Gotham City.
Future State is presented as a dystopian version of the DCU in which a private police force called The Magistrate is cracking down on masks in the name of law and order. As such, this short jump into the future feels more science fiction than the usual superhero comic. There are traces of cyberpunk and classic police state imagery coursing through the majority of the Future State stories. Derington and Bonvillain take full advantage of this to give a masterclass on worldbuilding through their version of Gotham while still honoring the city’s past iterations.
In a surprise twist on the traditional Batman formula, Derington and Bonvillain decide to bathe Gotham in colors. Whereas artists such as Greg Capullo, J.H. Williams III, Frank Miller, and Jim Lee have gone for more of a modern gothic look for their Gothams (all unique in their own way), Derington and Bonvillain aim at altering the city’s very identity with more lights, which means less shadows to hide in.
Whereas the artists gave us a city defined by dark alleyways and towering symbols of moral corruption, Derington and Bonvillain opted for a Gotham that’s wide awake and somewhat paranoid. It’s hard to escape the sensation that Batman is being watched from all sides and that Gotham is playing against the hero’s strengths. As consequence, Future State Gotham becomes a living trap that forces Batman to do his bidding while being completely exposed to the police force that patrols the city.
Bonvillain’s colors excel at creating this effect. Even when in an alley, nothing is entirely drenched black. There’s a light source in every panel, as if a spotlight were always trained on Batman. It creates a sense of inevitable surveillance and raises the stakes in each action sequence because of it.
Derington’s line work is full of movement and fluidity, taking a step away from the brooding and inky settings Gotham is known for. For a dystopian version of iconic city, the comic prefers to keep things from looking too futuristic. In fact, it’s in the Magistrate’s security officers and gadgets that The Next Batman finds its science fiction elements. Batman’s mouth covering does give the character a semi-futuristic look and sets him apart from the previous Batman, but Derington and Ridley put him in a future in which architectural and technological change has come slowly.
Despite that, the comic emits an almost neon glow that remind readers that the new Gotham is no longer the hunting ground of Bruce Wayne’s Batman. It seems to demand a new Batman take to patroling its streets. It adds to the comic’s sense of discovery and strangeness. This Gotham doesn’t belong to the New Batman yet. It has to be tamed. As a result, this turns the caped crusader into a candidate for the title of city protector. As of yet, he’s merely in the running for the position.
The Next Batman #1
Fans of Batman Universe, written by Brian Michael Bendis, will have a lot to look forward to in Future State: The Next Batman series as well given Derington’s already impressive interpretation of Batman and his world in that book. In Batman Universe, colored by Dave Stewart, Derington goes for a more Brave and the Bold vibe that highlights Batman’s visual versatility. He gets to play with more fantasy elements here than in Next Batman, but the sense that he’s talented enough to make Batman his own is already present there.
The visual quality of Future State: The Next Batman #1 guides Batman’s character development down less conventional paths. That the city is so new as well means we as readers are also testing this Batman out. He has to win our hearts and our hard-earned money come new comics Wednesday. So far, Derington and Bonvillain are making a strong case for it on visuals alone.
The sales success and acclaim of this linewide look into potential futures of the DC Universe has resulted in the publisher returning to press to reprint several titles:
Future State: Dark Detective #1
Future State: The Next Batman #1
Future State: The Next Batman #2
Future State: Wonder Woman #1
Future State: Harley Quinn #1
Future State: Swamp Thing #1
These dynamic “character portrait” style covers feature art from some of the hottest artists in comics, including Nick Derington, Joelle Jones, Dan Mora, Jen Bartel, and Mike Perkins. If you missed a chance to read these groundbreaking stories make sure and pick up your favorite when they hit participating comic book stores on Tuesday, February 2, 2021.
With John Ridley writing the main story, there’s no way I wasn’t going to read Future State: The Next Batman #1. A new Batman in a fascist Gotham written by Ridley is a combination that’s right up my alley. And even with a high bar to cover, I was not only pleased, but excited to read the next issue and wishing we were getting more than two.
In this future Gotham, a militaristic police called The Magistrate has taken over pushing the Gotham P.D. to the side. “The Bat” and masks are outlawed and hunted down. A new Batman is in town not just stopping crime but attempting to save masks from a fate at the hand of the Magistrate.
Ridley delivers such a strong opening and familiar but different take on the character. There’s a classic Batman vibe to it all going back to the basics of a man in a costume with his grappling hook and smoke. It’s theatrical in many ways and feels like a cross of the early years of the character and Batman 1989. Ridley also spins things a bit with layers on the fascism and vigilantism. Some take Batman as an extension of a rightwing agenda as far as justice but to see him rail against an overreaching government is a nice and different spin. It makes me want to see Ridley release a maxi-series further exploring the concepts touched upon here.
The art by Nick Derington is top-notch. There are so many panels and pages that evoke classic Batman with a few paying an homage to classic imagery. Derington is joined by Tamra Bonvillain on color and Clayton Cowles on colors. The combination creates a look and feel of a “classic Batman” story and some of the modern classics that use the shadows to evoke fear and excitement for what’s to come.
Future State: The Next Batman #1 is one of the expanded “Future State” issues featuring two other stories.
“Outsiders” is written by Brandon Thomas with art by Sumit Kumar, ink by Kumar and Raul Fernandez, color by Jordie Bellaire, and lettering by Steve Wands. We get to see a new crew of Outsiders as they attempt to take down The Magistrate. It’s a great extension of the world in the main story showing more of the resistance against the fascist police. There’s a lot packed into the story really setting things up and creating a world out of a dozen pages or so. It feels in a way two short stories itself but is such a strong entry that expands the world and compliments the main story. The art is fantastic as well delivering some great action.
“Arkham Knights Chapter 1 Rise” is written by Paul Jenkins with art by Jack Herbert, color by Gabe Eltaeb, and lettering by Rob Leigh. Much like the other story, this one also adds a lot to this new world. The Arkham Knights is a squad of Batman villains who have come together to take on The Magistrate. There’s a Suicide Squad vibe about it but the concept and how it’s presented is really interesting. It’s the specifics of the concept that really stand out. The art too is great with updates to classic characters.
Future State: The Next Batman #1 is a winner of a comic. I wanted to read more immediately and now I want an entire series exploring this world. There’s some great concepts here and an interesting exploration of the line between justice and fascism. Where the line is drawn is a great concept to dive in to and this comic dances around it with some fantastic writing and characters. A lot is packed into the extended issue and it’s such a welcome addition to the DC and Batman mythology.
Story: John Ridley, Brandon Thomas, Paul Jenkins Art: Nick Derington, Sumit Kumar, Jack Herbert Ink: Sumit Kumar, Raul Fernandez Color: Tamra Bonvillain, Jordie Bellaire, Gabe Eltaeb Letterer: Clayton Cowles, Steve Wands, Rob Leigh Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Written by: Ken Kristensen, Brandon Thomas, Paul Jenkins, John Ridley Art by: Sumit Kumar, Nick Derington, Jack Herbert
Gotham City has always been dangerous-but now, it’s downright deadly! Following the tragedy of “A-Day,” the mayor allowed the private law enforcement group known as the Magistrate to take over policing so-called mask crime-and that has given rise to a new Dark Knight! What is this mysterious crime fighter’s connection to former Batman weaponeer Lucius Fox? The fight for justice has never been this dangerous! Then, in an new tale of the Outsiders, everything in Gotham City may be under the thumb of the Magistrate-but even members of that totalitarian force know that the outskirts of town are protected by the sword of Katana! Plus, ride with the Arkham Knights on their quest for freedom. Arkham Asylum has been decommissioned, and the Magistrate rules the land with an iron fist and zero tolerance. Now it’s time for the lunatics to take back their town! Follow Croc, Two-Face, Phosphorus, Zsasz, Clayface, and Astrid Arkham as the Arkham Knights raise holy hell on the occupiers of Gotham!
