DC Comics Unveils New Batman #1 with Fresh Costume

2025 is set to be a monumental year for DC's iconic Batman series. As Chip Zdarsky concludes his run with Batman #157, the stage is set for Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee to dive into the Hush 2 storyline in March. Following Hush 2, DC is poised to relaunch Batman with a fresh start, introducing a new #1 issue, a new writer, and a striking new costume.

The exciting news was unveiled at the ComicsPro retailer event, where it was announced that Matt Fraction, known for his work on Uncanny X-Men and The Invincible Iron Man, will helm the new volume of Batman. Jorge Jimenez, the current artist for the series, will continue his collaboration, bringing to life a new Batman costume and Batmobile. The new look features a nostalgic blue and gray palette, harkening back to Batman's vintage aesthetics. Check out the new Batsuit below:

"I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Batman. It was the first comic I ever read," Fraction shared. "Jorge and I have a very superhero-forward kind of take on Batman. We’ve got a new Batmobile, we’ve got a new costume, we’ve got new characters, and we’ve got a lot of old ones too—good and bad; all the stuff that makes Batman the coolest character in comics. We want to celebrate it all."

Batman #1 is slated for release in September 2025.

In addition to the Batman developments, DC provided further insights into the future of their Superman line during the ComicsPro event, continuing their "Summer of Superman" initiative. Supergirl is set to receive a new series and a revamped costume designed by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau. Sophie Campbell, acclaimed for her work on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, will both write and illustrate the new series, which will see Kara Zor-El returning to Midvale.

"I came up in the comics industry doing mostly graphic novels that I wrote and drew myself, so doing the same with Supergirl feels like I’m returning to my storytelling roots," Campbell stated. "My main touchstones to Kara Zor-El were the stories and the wild costumes from the 70’s, the 1984 Supergirl movie, and The CW show, which I was a huge fan of. In creating this version of Supergirl, I’ll be drawing on some of those influences as the series unfolds."

Supergirl #1 will hit the shelves on May 14.

Action Comics is also set for a creative overhaul, with Justice League Unlimited writer Mark Waid teaming up with Resonant artist Skylar Patridge. The series will pivot to focus on Clark Kent's teenage years in Smallville, delving into his journey of mastering his emerging powers as Superboy.

"I start the book with Clark as a 15-year-old boy, learning to be a superhero for the first time," Waid explained. "What is that like, learning to use your powers at that age? What kind of challenges are you facing? Skylar and I are also bringing Smallville a little more up to date—it still has that rustic feel to it, but farms don’t look like that anymore."

Waid and Patridge's new take on Action Comics will debut with issue #1087 in June.

Lastly, DC has announced a special treat for fans with Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton, a five-issue miniseries as part of the DC All In initiative. Written by Ryan North of Fantastic Four fame and illustrated by Mike Norton, known for his work on Revival, this series will delve deeper into Krypto's origins than ever before.

"Krypto's origin has always been done at kind of a high level," North remarked. "The little guy starts out on Krypton, ends up on Earth, and helps Superman fight crime. The chance to really define Krypto—to show what a little lost dog would go through if he landed all alone on a strange alien world named Earth—was really enticing. And I also fell in love with the idea of treating Krypto as the actual dog he is: he doesn't talk, and we don't cheat by reading his thoughts in balloons either. Mike Norton’s art captures exactly what needs to be ‘said’ in every scene."

Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton #1 will be available starting June 18.