We ran breaking news yesterday about the upcoming DC Next Level books arriving in April, including the Starfire ongoing series announced at the panel. During the Next Level panel itself, editor-in-chief Marie Javins was joined by various creators to detail what’s to come and reveal the creative process.
First up was Swamp Thing: Hallowed Ground from the creative team of writer Steve Foxe and artist Riccardo Federici. According to comic creator Joshua Williamson, who serves as a major architect for DC’s Next Level plans, one of the goals for Next Level was to keep different genres in mind, one of which was horror. Given the character’s history of being a crucial piece of the DC Universe, they knew immediately that Swamp Thing had to be included in Next Level.
Williamson then turned to Batman: Justice Year, an upcoming 6-issue miniseries written by him with art by Bruno Redondo. Some may be surprised to learn that Williamson wrote the first issue nearly four years ago. Considering that Redondo has been one of the most in-demand artists for the publisher, most notably with his acclaimed work on Nightwing, the wait is understandable. In terms of style, Redondo’s art on the book is meant to invoke David Mazzucchelli‘s style from Batman: Year One. Williamson had high praise for his artistic collaborator, calling Redondo a genius and saying he’s doing the work of his life.
Next up was Batman: Shadow of the Bat from the creative team of writer Deniz Camp and artist Javier Rodriguez. If their acclaimed Absolute Martian Manhunter miniseries is any indication, readers could have yet another potential masterpiece on their hands. As someone who’s loved the character for most of his life, Camp aimed to craft a story that was grounded and touched on the anxieties of today. Shadow of the Bat begins with an explosion at Ace Chemical Factory resulting in the surrounding area being quarantined by a private security firm. The Dark Knight has to simultaneously fight and help the infected Gotham citizens.
Camp teased new villains being introduced in the series, as well as bringing normal civilians back into the Batman’s supporting cast. The concept of “shadows” is played throughout the book in various ways that give greater significance to the title. The creators described Batman as a “moving shadow” with Rodriguez coining the term “elegante Batman.”
Comic creators Stephanie Williams and Khary Randolph then proceeded to discuss their upcoming Vixen ongoing series. A fan-favorite character for years, Willliams aims to push Vixen to new heights teasing a new villain, and a love interest from the Bat-Family.
The DC Universe has no shortage of superheroes with animal based powers such as Animal Man and Beast Boy. With this series, Williams will restablish Vixen’s power set to differentiate her in a way that puts her in a community with animals. Though the book will be new reader friendly, longtime fans can expect plenty of easter eggs. Detroit is the main setting for the series and will showcase the city in amazing ways. Williams also hinted that the series will incorporate some horror elements.
Aftter previously working on the Absolute Power: Task Force VII miniseries, Williams and Randolph were eager to work together on another comics project. Randolph joked that the only thing he wasn’t excited about was having to draw horses.
Moving on, writer Cody Ziglar teased what’s to come for the new Static ongoing series. Knowing how hungry fans have been for the Milestone characters, Ziglar wanted to make sure he did the character justice, describing Static as a foundational character for contemporary young black superheroes. Ziglar revealed that he received the original Milestone tome that provided inspiration of ideas and concepts that never made it into the original ’90s comics.
The panel moved back to Williamson to discuss what’s to come in the main ongoing Superman title. After so many event-driven storylines, Williamson wanted to get back to a more grounded story with the “Nightshift” arc, which will also see the return of the Marilyn Moonlight, the vigilante character introduced in the book a few years back. Readers can expect some deaths. Despite being one of the busiest writers in the comics industry right now, fans will be relieved to know that Williamson has no intention of leaving the book anytime soon, saying that he’s having the happiest time of his life writing the character.
Williamson had something of a full circle moment discussing what’s to come in the recently launched Legion of Super-Heroes book with artist Hayden Sherman, which was first announced at last year’s NYCC. Upcoming artwork was shown revealing the introduction of characters Kid Quantum and Timber Wolf. Emerald Empress, perennial foe of the team and member of the Fatal Five, will be introduced as the leader of the future version of the Green Lantern Corps, which I believe was referred to as the Green Lantern Corporation. The comic creator described his methodical approach to introducing a literal legion of Legion characters as more than simply just characters. It’s an approach reminiscent of what Williamson has been doing with G.I. Joe in the Energon Universe.
Following the Bad Seeds crossover event, the main Batman book will see Bruce Wayne “assassinated” forcing Batman to go undercover to solve the case. Writer Matt Fraction joked how cathartic and joyful it was to kill a billionaire. As a fan of Columbo, he compared it to how the viewer always knew who the bad guy was early in the episode and the fun was watching how Columbo figured it out. After putting a price on Bruce’s head in the first year of Fraction’s run, the writer said that Bruce has decided to let the assassination happen and to work the case backwards. Fraction teased that readers can look forward not only to the return of the Matches Malone persona as he lives in a halfway home to solve the murder, but also to seeing Bruce adopt a new identity as a nascent villain. He also hinted that new books would be spinning out of the storyline.
Fraction noted the first issue of the relaunched Batman title was released a year ago, and he was meant to appear at last year’s NYCC to promote it. Unfortunately he had to cancel that appearance, and Fraction revealed why: he was hospitalized at the time. For him it was truly humbling and gratifying to see the immense reception to the book and helped ease his hospital stay. Of course, he’s fully aware that Absolute Batman is still the crown jewel of DC publishing at the moment, with Fraction jokingly comparing the experience to being the opening act for The Beatles.
The panel spotlighted books from writer/artist comic creators such as James Harren‘s The Demon. First encountering the character through an episode of the ’90s Batman animated series, Harren came to discover the comics version of Etrigan was somewhat different than the animated adaptation, particularly his penchant for rhyming. As a Jack Kirby fanatic, this is a dream project for him. One of the big changes is his decidedly different intrepreation of Etrigan’s human host Jason Blood, who is typically depicted as a “groovy professor.”
Next was Michael Walsh to discuss how his recently-launched Jonah Hex series came to be, due to his desire to tell a weird Western horror book for some time and Jonah Hex was an immediate choice. Though it has supernatural elements, he said that ultimately it’s a human story. The storyline features an older Jonah Hex who has put away his guns and is haunted by the ghosts of the people he’s killed.
After the immense success of his Zatanna miniseries, comic creator Jamal Campball got the go-ahead for an ongoing series with the superhero magician. As a lifelong fan of the character, Campbell’s aim is build Zatanna up, as well as her rogues gallery, and to push her forward beyond being just a stage magician.
The panel ended with the aforementioned announcement of a new Starfire ongoing series from writer Alyssa Wong and artist Belén Ortega. Pitched as “Red Sonja meets One Piece” by Wong, this series sees Starfire return to the home planet of Tamaran under siege. The theme of the book is what it means to come home after you’ve been away for so long. Wong teased Starfire’s sister Blackfire as well as “pirates” and “going gladiatorial.” The goal for the creative team is to break your heart and fill it back up.
Also announced right at the tail end of the panel was a Superboy-Prime one-shot by Williamson and artist Dan Mora.
Stay tuned to The Beat for more news from NYCC ’26.
