It’s hard to believe that it’s been over a decade since Gotham Academy was first released. Launched as the final wave of DC’s New 52 books from the creative team of Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan, Karl Kerschl the series followed the escapades of the students of Gotham City’s most prestigious prep school. Quickly becoming a fan-favorite garnering critical acclaim, the series came to an end with the relaunched second volume back in 2107. Since the conclusion of the second volume, the characters of Gotham Academy have appeared sporadically in publication such as the Saved by the Belle Reve anthology one-shot. Good things come to those who wait as DC Comics has announced that school is back in session this fall with Gotham Academy: First Year, a six-issue comic book series marking the long-awaited return of the fan-favorite Gotham-based teen saga!
The new miniseries will reunite the original creative team of Fletcher, Kerschl, and Cloonan, who will be joined by interior artist Marco Ferrari along with colorist Eva de la Cruz and letterer Steve Wands. The main covers for this new Gotham Academy miniseries will once again be drawn by Kerschl. The first issue will feature variant covers by Dustin Nguyen and Sweeney Boo.
Rather than continue where the last series left off, Gotham Academy: First Year will serve as an origin story chronicling main protagonist Olive Silverlock’s first year at the titular school.
Here’s how the publisher describes the miniseries:
Gotham Academy: First Year continues the critically acclaimed story of Gotham Academy’s young students, perfect for longtime fans and new readers alike. Mystery and mayhem await Olive Silverlock, a shy, working-class teen from Gotham’s Narrows, as she navigates school life in a super-powered world, offering a unique perspective on Gotham through the eyes of a youngster as scared of its heroes as its villains. In addition to visits to Arkham Asylum and surprise appearances from billionaire weirdos, you never know who—or what—you might meet wandering the halls of Gotham Academy.
Set before the events of the original series, First Year traces Olive’s reluctant arrival at the school after a traumatic event involving her mother—and a fateful handoff between Commissioner Gordon and Bruce Wayne. Shuffled from crisis into campus life, Olive must adapt to cliques, secrets, and a system that’s less supportive than it seems.
Underlying everything, Olive has a problem—and it’s shaped like Gotham’s most famous vigilante: Batman. But how will she process the weight of her past while navigating school politics, unexpected friendships, and a growing connection to Gotham’s darker mysteries? Who will she share her first kiss with? And why is everyone obsessed with… maps? What’s with these rich kids? Does Gotham Academy have a cartography class??
Original Gotham Academy co-creator Brendan Fletcher expressed great excitement to return the world of Gotham Academy:
“I’m so excited to return to the world of Gotham Academy with Becky and Karl,” says Fletcher. “It’s a joy to be back with the original team, and to welcome the incredibly talented Marco Ferrari to the fold. His work brings such life to these characters and to the halls of the Academy itself.”
Fletcher also teased what readers can expect in this origin tale:
“We went back to where it all began,” says Fletcher. “Gotham Academy: First Year takes us into Olive Silverlock’s pivotal first year—the mysterious summer before it all started—and introduces one of Batman’s most iconic villains to the series for the very first time. We can’t wait for readers old and new to join us this October, exactly 11 years to the day since the original series debuted!”
Launching on October 1, 2025, the new comic book series reunites the original creative team of Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl, and Becky Cloonan, whose inventive storytelling first introduced readers to Gotham City’s most prestigious prep school and its unforgettable student body. Joining them for this new chapter is interior artist Marco Ferrari, whose expressive and atmospheric visuals bring fresh depth to the academy’s haunted hallways. Returning to cover duties, Kerschl provides main covers for all six issues, channeling the signature visual flair that helped define the original run.
Look for the 80-page Gotham Academy: First Year #1 one-shot to arrives in stores and digitally on Wednesday, October 1st.
GOTHAM ACADEMY: FIRST YEAR #1
- On Sale October 1, 2025
- Written by Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl, and Becky Cloonan
- Art by Marco Ferrari, Eva de la Cruz (colors) and Steve Wands (letters)
- Main cover by Karl Kerschl
- Variant covers by Dustin Nguyen and Sweeney Boo
- 40 pages
- Cover price: $4.99 US
