Welcome to General, Gotham City’s tier one trauma center. Power is out, fires are burning, transpo is shot, and the calls just keep coming. There are more patients than beds, half presenting with respiratory complications, the other half suffering hallucinogenic psychotic episodes. In every other emergency department in the DCU, this would be a catastrophe. For Dr. Ava Dastur and the men and women working at General, it’s a Tuesday. DC Comics is pleased to introduce you to the staff of Gotham General. No capes, no costumes, and don’t call them heroes—this is their job. Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham General #1 is fantastic and has us wanting an ongoing series focused on the hospital and its staff.
One of the best comics DC has released is its Gotham Central series which focused on Gotham’s police department. Writer Greg Rucka contributed to that series and is the writer for Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham General #1, so it’s no surprise its excellence. Starting off just before the chaos of the “Bad Seeds” event, we see Gotham General go into overdrive as the patients stack up as they attempt to figure out what’s going on.
Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham General #1 is brilliant in that it doesn’t dumb down its subject matter. Characters throw out medical jargon and diagnose without much explanation or taking readers through the steps. We’re observers to these miracle makers doing their job without question.
But beyond the realism of the jargon, Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham General #1 also focuses on the characters. An ongoing thread through the issue is a doctor wanting to move away from Gotham so her daughter is safer. But what is safety? Through the chaos, it’s an interesting debate that will have you debating that question and wondering if Gotham really is safe and the danger is exaggerated? It’s an interesting concept and adds an aspect to the story that readers can relate to.
The art by Rosa Ekedal and Steve Lieber is fantastic. With color by Patricio Delpeche and lettering by Tom Napolitano, the comic nails the chaos of the moment as doctors scramble to triage the incoming deluge of patients. You get a feeling of both the fear and unknown the doctors and nurses are feeling but also their focus as they scramble to help the patients. The visuals of the comic shows off the heroism of the staff of the hospital by focusing on them as humans doing what they can to help those hurting. The team does an amazing job of capturing the chaos of the moment but also making it easy to follow and easy to connect with the staff.
Batman: Bad Seeds – Gotham General #1 is a hell of an issue and shows off the potential of focusing on the non-spandex aspects in the world of superheroes. It makes the case for an ongoing series where the hospital staff give us a new perspective on Gotham and the fallout from everything going on. It might be an event tie-in but it’s accessible and easy to dive into and enjoy without having read any of the event. Most importantly, it shows off that not all heroes wear a mask, some wear lap coats and stethoscopes.
Story: Greg Rucka Art: Rosa Ekedal, Steve Lieber Color: Patricio Delpeche Letters: Tom Napolitano Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Welcome to General, Gotham City’s tier one trauma center.
Power is out, fires are burning, transpo is shot, and the calls just keep coming. There are more patients than beds, half presenting with respiratory complications, the other half suffering hallucinogenic psychotic episodes. In every other emergency department in the DCU, this would be a catastrophe.
For Dr. Ava Dastur and the men and women working at General, it’s a Tuesday.
DC Comics is pleased to introduce you to the staff of Gotham General. No capes, no costumes, and don’t call them heroes — this is their job.
(W) Matt Fraction, Mariko Tamaki (A) Steve Lieber, Brian Ching, Gretel Lusky
SIX STORIES OF SURVIVAL FROM SUPERSTAR WRITERS MATT FRACTION AND MARIKO TAMAKI!
As the chaos of Bad Seeds erupts across Gotham City and the Bat-Family races against daylight, the citizens of Gotham City must endure the threats of Poison Ivy’s superbloom on their own.
Join Eisner Award-winning writers Matt Fraction and Mariko Tamaki as they tell six street-level tales of fear, courage, and perseverance, starring everyday people who must learn what it means to be a hero — with or without a cape.
Written by Dave Wielgosz Illustrated by Tadd Galusha Colors by Triona Farrell Cover A by Steve Lieber Cover B by Tadd Galusha
FINAL ISSUE. Time’s up! Let the rumble begin!
Trish came back home and told Harvey to get his affairs in order, because the two of them were going to settle their grievances with violence. Two will enter, and as far as they are both concerned, they don’t care if neither of them leaves!
Read the bloody and emotional conclusion to 2026’s best crime comic. Showdown has established writer Dave Wielgosz (Man-Bat) and artist Tadd Galusha (Bubba Ho-Tep) as major talents, and this brutal finale will only cement that reputation.
Oni Press and William M. Gaines Agent, Inc. are proud to unveil the giant-sized Shiver Suspenstories 3 #1 – an all-new, all-unhinged 56-page giant featuring EC Comics’ most terrifying assembly of sickenin’ stocking stuffers yet! That’s right, Shiver Suspenstories is back . . . and we’re bringing three times the chills, three times the spills, and three times the murderous intent with us for our most vengeful celebration of X-mas anarchy and New Year’s nightmares ever attempted on December 9th!
For the third year running, gather ʼround our flaming hearth and join tortured (literally!) creators John Arcudi, Sarah Gailey, Ryan Kelly, David Lapham, Jay Stephens, and more surprise guests as we begin a frightening festival of merciless merriment and holiday horror, all tinseled up in the mangled EC Comics manner!
Plus: For your reading displeasure, feast upon another restored and remastered EC classic straight from the Vault-Keeper’s lair! Heh heh, ho ho, this Christmas season, someone’s gotta go! Just remember, kids: Some stains don’t come out . . . especially under Luminol!
Get into the spirit with killer covers from Dustin Weaver, Steve Lieber, Shawn McManus, and Rian Hughes! Tell Santa to make with the comic – or else!!!– when Shiver Suspenstories 3 #1 comes calling on December 9th!
Written by Joanne Starer Illustrated by Khary Randolph Colors by Emilio Lopez Cover A by Khary Randolph Cover B by Steve Lieber Cover C (Retailer Incentive) by Corin Howell
Modern dating is rough.
No one likes being on the apps, but it’s not much easier meeting people IRL. Especially when they might turn you into a vampire without warning.
This is exactly what happened to Syd. She was only trying to get over her toxic ex—whom she may still drunkenly text from time to time—not looking to have her life totally changed. She thought finding the right guy before was hard, but now she has an unquenchable thirst for blood. Her dating pool has suddenly become her food chain!
Meanwhile, Izzy has been trying to make her dreams a reality in the Big Apple, though right now she’s part of the gig economy working as a rideshare driver. When Syd ends up in the back of Izzy’s car, there is an instant connection. Is this love at first sight, or will it all end with one bite?
This September, DC celebrates the life and legacy of legendary artist, writer, and educator Joe Kubert on what would have been his 100th birthday.
Across a career that spanned generations, Kubert helped define the visual language of comic book storytelling through his groundbreaking work on characters including Sgt. Rock, Hawkman, Enemy Ace, Ragman, Tarzan, and many others. His dynamic artwork, unforgettable covers, and commitment to nurturing future generations of artists through the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art continue to influence comics today.
To honor Kubert’s centennial, DC will publish a series of special releases celebrating his artistry, storytelling, and enduring impact on the medium.
Artists, Family, and Students Unite to Honor Joe Kubert
Leading the celebration is DC Special #5 Facsimile Edition, accompanied by a newly commissioned artist-jam homage cover that brings together members of the Kubert family and acclaimed Kubert School alumni to celebrate Joe Kubert’s enduring influence on generations of comic book artists.
Contributors to the commemorative cover include Adam Kubert, Andy Kubert, Emma Kubert, Jan Duursema, Tom Mandrake, Ron Wagner, Amanda Conner, Rick Veitch, Stephen R. Bissette, Lee Weeks, Ron Randall, Steve Lieber, and colorist Brad Anderson.
Originally curated by Joe Kubert himself, DC Special #5 presents four of the creator’s personal favorite stories and stands as a fitting tribute to an artist whose influence continues to shape the industry decades after his work first appeared on newsstands.
DC Special #5 Facsimile Edition arrives September 16 and features additional foil and blank sketch cover variants celebrating Kubert’s legacy.
100 Years of Iconic Covers
Also arriving in September is Joe Kubert: 100 Years – A Life in Covers, a comic book gallery showcasing some of the most memorable covers from Kubert’s remarkable career.
Spanning multiple decades of DC history, the collection highlights Kubert’s work on titles including The Brave and the Bold, House of Mystery, Sgt. Rock, Ragman, and more, demonstrating the versatility, emotion, and storytelling power that made Kubert one of comics’ most recognizable visual voices.
The one-shot also includes a special foreword by Katie Kubert, offering a personal perspective on her grandfather’s enduring legacy.
Joe Kubert: 100 Years – A Life in Covers #1 arrives September 16.
Celebrating Sgt. Rock
Rounding out the centennial celebration is Sgt. Rock by Joe Kubert: Deluxe Edition, a hardcover collection spotlighting many of Kubert’s defining stories featuring the character most closely associated with his career.
Presented in fully restored color, the collection showcases Kubert’s mastery of visual storytelling across stories of heroism, sacrifice, and humanity set against the backdrop of war.
Whether depicting battlefield action or quieter character moments, Kubert’s work on Sgt. Rock remains a benchmark for comic book storytelling and continues to inspire readers and creators alike.
Sgt. Rock by Joe Kubert: Deluxe Edition arrives September 15.
A Legacy That Lives On
One hundred years after Joe Kubert’s birth, his influence can still be seen across the comics industry through the artists he inspired, the stories he created, and the generations of creators who followed in his footsteps.
This September, DC invites readers to celebrate the life and work of a creator whose contributions helped shape the history of comics and whose artistic legacy continues to endure.
DC’s Joe Kubert centennial releases will be available this September wherever comics, books, and graphic novels are sold.
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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DC with some trepidation has announced MAD About DC, a 64-page one-shot arriving April 1, 2026. Yes, April 1. And no, this isn’t a prank—unless you count letting Chip Zdarsky run this thing as its Guest Editor a prank on the DC Universe itself. You’d have to ask Chip.
MAD About DC brings together an all-star lineup of writers and artists to lovingly roast, parody, and generally make a mess of the characters fans hold dear.
Inside MAD About DC, readers will find:
Sergio Aragonés with “A MAD Look at Comic Book Stores”
Jim Zub and Ramon Perez teaming for “Guy vs. Spy”
A brand-new DC Fold-In by Charles Soule and Ryan Browne
A parade of MAD-style parodies skewering the DC comic books you love, and a few you’ve always hated anyway, from Kyle Starks, Dave Johnson, Tini Howard, Mattie Lubchansky, Mark Waid, Ty Templeton, Rainbow Rowell, Vita Ayala, M.L. Sanapo, Mark Russell, Steve Lieber, Jeff Parker, Lukas Ketner, Gerry Duggan, Scott Aukerman, Mitch Gerads, Joanne Starer, Joe Quinones, Scott Snyder, Josh Williamson, Deniz Camp, Gail Simone, Colleen Doran, Joe Kelly, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Valentine De Landro, Ryan North, Erica Henderson, Tom Taylor, Bruno Redondo, Mariko Tamaki, Riley Rossmo, Al Ewing, PJ Holden, Shannon Wheeler, Leah Williams, Isaac Goodhart, Cody Ziglar, Daniele Di Nicuolo, Daniel Kibblesmith, Brandt&Stein, Casey Gilly, J. Bone, Skottie Young, Andrew Wheeler, Stephen Byrne, Colleen Coover, Benjamin Errett, Matt Fraction, Kagan McLeod, Lee Gatlin, Joseph Starkey, Graham Roumieu…and more?!
Whether you’re a lifelong MAD Magazine fan, a DC diehard, or simply someone who enjoys watching respected creators make questionable choices, MAD About DC promises to fulfill your every comic book dream…or at least three or four of them.
MAD About DC goes on sale April 1, 2026, wherever comics are sold. No whoopee cushions included. The issue features a main cover by Dan “MAD About Gluten Labeling Because It Should Actually Be Clearer or Else What’s the Point” Panosian ($7.99 US), cardstock variants by Simon Bisley and Chip Zdarsky ($8.99 US), and a foil variant by Panosian ($10.99 US).
2025 was a hellscape of a year so in my comics reading habits, I fell hard into the “escapism” genre, including a lot of DC Comics. I don’t know if it was residual goodwill from James Gunn’s Superman, or the fact that they hired some of my favorite writers and artists, but I enjoyed so many books from the company formerly known as National Comics this past year. I also fully embraced the one-shot format this year, and honestly, the majority of this favorite comics list could have been made up of one-shots. I’ve always been a pop single girlie (And even purchased CD singles once upon a time) so it’s natural that I would enjoy this kind of thing in comics whether it’s Archie meeting my favorite stoners from the View Askewniverse, a glorious intercompany crossover between Thor and Shazam, or the singular book that topped this list.
There’s something rewarding about struggling with a comic early on, but eventually embracing and having it become one of your favorites. That describes my relationship with Kieron Gillen and Caspar Wijingaard‘s The Power Fantasy to a tee. I always enjoyed Wijingaard’s approach to fashion, layout, and color palette, but the book’s narrative started to draw me in during year two as he and Gillen toppled dominoes and showed just how frightening a world with godlike heroes could be. This concept has been explored in more juvenile ways in the past (I won’t name any names). However, Kieron Gillen and Caspar Wijingaard take more of a premium cable anti-hero approach in The Power Fantasy that is quite riveting and prioritize ethics and relationships over punching although this book had its fair share of pyrotechnics in 2025.
Writer Aaron Reese sadly passed away in January 2025, but they left us with a lasting legacy of Bytchcraft, a magical and fiercely queer series about a coven of witches in New York battling the apocalypse. Reese and artist Lema Carril crafted a world with a fascinating cosmology and magic system that definitely had Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Charmed, or Supernatural vibes, but its cast didn’t resemble the contents of a Duke’s Mayo bottle. Also, Carril’s eye for fashion made the characters some of the best-dressed in comics to go with a flashy color palette from Bex Glendining. Above all, Bytchcraft is a call to be queer and do magick, and I will clutch to it in the coming years.
A tense smash and grab job under the nose of a kaiju attack is one of the coolest concepts I’ve heard in a while, and Van Jensen and Kelsey Ramsay pull it off in their Godzilla : Heist miniseries with style, grace, and social commentary. Genre blends are tough to do, but Ramsay’s line art and Heather Breckel’s colors know when to go for gritty urban crime mode or pull it back for the big monster reveal. Plotwise, there’s plenty of cool gadgets, double crosses, and general mayhem, but it’s all grounded by protagonist Jai, who wants to get back at the British government for being imperialist losers and screwing over his mother. And the King of Monsters ends up being the perfect partner for this vengeance quest.
In its second and unfortunately final year, Deniz Camp, Juan Frigeri, and Phil Noto’s The Ultimatescontinues to be revolutionary pop art. Camp and Frigeri turn corporate mascots into avatars of resistance infusing them with leftist, anti-capitalist, and anti-imperialist ideologies while simultaneously making us care about them larger-than-life human beings. The Ultimates also gives each single issues its own unique identity whether that’s a commentary on the school-to-prison pipeline courtesy of Luke Cage, an epic poem set in Asgard, a kung-fu epic, or the wonderful Noto-drawnissues with Doom aka Earth-6160 Reed Richards trying to recreate the Fantastic Four that can be read in five different ways. It’s one of the best Marvel runs in recent memory, and I bittersweetly look forward to seeing how it all wraps and then going back and following the threads Deniz Camp seeded in early issues.
The combination of Hayden Sherman being a layout deity, Jordie Bellaire unleashing a color palette that is part Gothic nightmare and part ancient Greek pottery-inspired, and Kelly Thompson giving Diana a proper heroic-in-the-face-of-darkness character arc made Absolute Wonder Woman one of my favorite reads of 2025. Even the fill-in arcs drawn by Mattia De Iulis and Matias Bergara reveal important information about the cost of Wonder Woman using her abilities and her literally hellish past. But the real highlight is we got an honest to Hera Minotaur/labyrinth plotline featuring the return of some favorites from Greg Rucka’s Wonder Woman run as well as Sherman nailing the claustrophobic feel with their visuals. Also, Absolute Zatanna and the end-of-year crossover with Absolute Batman cemented this book as a proper blockbuster title.
Ryan North, Mike Norton, and Ian Herring’sKrypto : The Last Dog of Kryptonwas the one comic in 2025 that made ugly cry. Structured by seasons, Krypto explored tough topics like death and pet abuse in an honest, yet empathetic way and was also filled with a multitude of wholesome moments establishing its protagonist as the ultimate good boy. (Who can sometimes be naughty.) North and Norton drop the Silver Age concept of Krypto being able to talk and instead rely on body language and gestures to move the story forward. He also provides a listening ear and insight into characters like Lex Luthor and Superboy as well as the ordinary folks who cross his paths. Krypto : The Last Dog of Krypton isn’t just *the* definitive Krypto comic, but an evergreen for DC in general.
Al Ewing, Steve Lieber, and Lee Loughridge’s beyond sadly cut short six issue Metamorpho, The Element Manseries (Right before its lead’s triumphant big screen debut.) was the funniest and most clever comic of 2025. On the surface, Metamorpho is a send-up of Silver Age comics with Ewing channeling the late Stan Lee in his omniscient, mock-Beat, fourth wall leaning narration. However, as the series progressed and revealed its Big Bad, Metamorpho revealed itself as a love letter to the weird and wacky side of superhero comics, which is something I feel like DC has over Marvel. (See the Brotherhood of Dada and Brother Power the Geek, for example.) To name a few things, we had a Mod-themed antagonist, a supervillainous skewering of generative AI, and an emotional arc for Simon Stagg’s Neanderthal servant, Java. Finally, this book wouldn’t have succeeded without Lieber’s period-perfect visuals and impeccable comedic timing, especially during the more espionage-tinged issues where he pulls off Jim Steranko-esque layouts without being a weird racist.
3. Flip (First Second)
Cartoonist Ngozi Ukazu puts an original spin on the body swap genre in her graphic novel, Flip. In the book, a Black working class nerdy girl named Chi-Chi swamps bodies with a wealthy white jock named Flip Henderson, who she has a crush on and accidentally asks to the school dance via Power Point in an engaging, embarrassing opening scene. Flip showcases Ukazu’s skills with character acting, and it’s rewarding to slow down and see how Flip and Chi-Chi move differently in each other’s bodies. The story also has poignant commentary on race, class, and mental health, but also fun K-Pop dances and fandom. Seriously, every time Chi-Chi, her friends, and eventually Flip chat about their favorite K-Pop group and their biases, the comic takes on a sparkling energy. In a world of full of division, Flip makes the bold call to empathize with folks, who have different experiences, in an entertaining way.
After a strong launch in 2024, Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta,Marcos Martin, Clay Mann, and Jock’sAbsolute Batman reached masterpiece status this year finishing especially strong with the conclusion of the horrific “Abomination” arc and even more horrifying stand-alone story that introduced Absolute Joker. Toxic, working class, and incredibly jacked Batman just works in our day and age, and Snyder and company aren’t afraid to take big swings and put truly original spins on iconic heroes, villains, and all the folks in-between. Reading this comic is like taking both a physical and psychological beating, and there is real power in the punches and moves Dragotta draws and in Martin’s flat colors. And the lobster to this juicy steak of a comic is the Absolute Batman Annual where skilled cartoonists like Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, and Meredith McClaren put their own stamp on this grimdark universe and also draw Batman breaking Nazis’ limbs and doing cool wrestling moves.
My favorite comic was Adventure Time : The Bubbline College Special aka the cutest sapphic romance ever between a STEM princess and a humanities vampire queen. This one-shot from one of the most hilarious cartoonists in the game, Caroline Cash, is a love letter to slow burn romances, fan fiction, unexpected LGBTQ+ representation in pop culture, and finding someone you connect with even if you start out on the wrong foot. Cash’s color palette revels in the trippy weirdness of the Adventure Time universe while still making room for tender glances and shoulder brushes. It hits the right balance between indie and mainstream, which is about perfect for my own personal comics-enjoying aesthetic.
Honorable mentions: Giant-Size Criminal (Image), Street Sharks (Oni Press), Exquisite Corpses (Image), DC x Sonic the Hedgehog (DC/IDW), Thor/Shazam (Marvel/DC)
