DC Comics to Relaunch Batman With New #1 Issue and New Costume

DC Comics Unveils Major 2025 Plans for Batman, Superman, and Krypto

2025 promises a significant year for DC's Batman franchise. Following Chip Zdarsky's conclusion on Batman #157, Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's Hush 2 storyline will launch in March. This sets the stage for a complete Batman relaunch with a new #1 issue, a new writer, and a striking new costume.

As announced at the ComicsPro event, Matt Fraction (known for Uncanny X-Men and The Invincible Iron Man) will take the reins as writer, collaborating with returning artist Jorge Jimenez. Jimenez and Fraction have crafted a new Batsuit and Batmobile for the series. The iconic dark suit is replaced with a vintage-inspired blue and gray design.

"I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Batman," Fraction shared. "Jorge and I are taking a very superhero-centric approach. We have a new Batmobile, a new costume, new characters, and plenty of familiar faces – both heroes and villains. We aim to celebrate everything that makes Batman the ultimate comic book icon."

Batman #1 is slated for a September 2025 release.

DC also revealed updates on their Superman titles at ComicsPro, continuing their "Summer of Superman" initiative. Supergirl is receiving a new series and costume (designed by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau), written and illustrated by Sophie Campbell (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles). This new series will bring Kara back to Midvale.

"My background is primarily in self-written and illustrated graphic novels, so working on Supergirl feels like a return to my storytelling roots," Campbell stated. "My inspiration for Kara Zor-El comes from classic stories, the wild 70s costumes, the 1984 Supergirl movie, and the CW show, which I loved. This version of Supergirl will draw on those influences."

Supergirl #1 debuts May 14th.

Action Comics will feature a new creative team: Mark Waid (Justice League Unlimited) and artist Skylar Patridge. The series will focus on Clark Kent's teenage years in Smallville, exploring his early experiences with his powers as Superboy.

"The story begins with 15-year-old Clark, learning to be a superhero," Waid explained. "We'll explore the challenges of mastering your powers at that age. Skylar and I are modernizing Smallville; it retains its rustic charm, but farms don't look quite the same anymore."

Waid and Patridge's run commences with Action Comics #1087 in June.

Finally, Krypto, declared "A Very Good Boy" by DC, will star in his own five-issue miniseries as part of the DC All In initiative. Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton, written by Ryan North (Fantastic Four) and illustrated by Mike Norton (Revival), will delve deeper into Krypto's origin story than ever before.

"Krypto's origin has always been somewhat superficial," North commented. "He starts on Krypton, ends up on Earth, and helps Superman. The opportunity to truly define Krypto – to show what a lost dog would experience alone on a strange planet – was incredibly appealing. We're portraying Krypto as the dog he is: he doesn't speak, and we don't use thought bubbles."

Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 arrives June 18th.

ComicsPro also revealed Marvel's summer relaunch of Captain America, written by Zdarsky and illustrated by Valerio Schiti. Further details on Godzilla's new interconnected comic universe are also available.