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

2025 is shaping up to be a monumental year for DC's Batman. Chip Zdarsky's run concludes with Batman #157, making way for Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee's "Hush 2" in March. Following "Hush 2," Batman will be relaunched with a new #1 issue, a new writer, and a striking new costume.

As announced at the ComicsPro retailer event, Matt Fraction (known for Uncanny X-Men and The Invincible Iron Man) will pen the new Batman volume. Jorge Jimenez remains the artist, collaborating with Fraction on a redesigned costume and Batmobile. The iconic black and gray suit is being replaced with a vintage-inspired blue and gray design. See 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 take. We’ve got a new Batmobile, a new costume, new characters, and plenty of familiar faces—good and bad; everything that makes Batman the coolest character in comics. We want to celebrate it all."

Batman #1 is slated for release in September 2025.

DC also unveiled plans for its Superman line at ComicsPro, continuing its "Summer of Superman" event. Supergirl is getting a new series and costume (designed by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau), with Sophie Campbell (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) writing and drawing. The series brings Kara back to Midvale.

"I came up in comics doing mostly graphic novels I wrote and drew," Campbell explained. "Doing the same with Supergirl feels like returning to my roots. My touchstones for Kara Zor-El were the 70s stories and costumes, the 1984 movie, and the CW show. I'll be drawing on those influences."

Supergirl #1 launches May 14th.

Action Comics gains 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.

"I start with Clark as a 15-year-old, learning to be a superhero," Waid said. "What's it like using your powers at that age? What challenges do you face? Skylar and I are updating Smallville—it retains its rustic feel, but farms don't look the same anymore."

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

Finally, Krypto gets his own five-issue miniseries, Krypto: The Last Dog of Krypton, as part of the DC All In initiative. Written by Ryan North (Fantastic Four) and drawn by Mike Norton (Revival), the series delves deeper into Krypto's origin story.

"Krypto's origin has always been high-level," North commented. "He starts on Krypton, ends up on Earth, and helps Superman. The chance to really define Krypto—to show what a lost dog would experience alone on Earth—was enticing. We treat Krypto as the dog he is: he doesn't talk, and we don't use thought bubbles. Mike Norton's art captures what needs to be 'said'."

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

ComicsPro also revealed Marvel's Captain America relaunch this summer, with Zdarsky writing and Valerio Schiti drawing. An early look at Godzilla's new interconnected comic book universe was also shown.