DC Announces NEXT LEVEL Line as DC ALL IN Continues in 2026
DC Comics is preparing to shift gears in a major way this spring, as DC ALL IN officially enters its second act with the launch of DC: NEXT LEVEL in March 2026. Following the conclusion of the bruising DC K.O. event on March 4, the new initiative represents a strategic escalation for DC’s main publishing line—one that emphasizes bold creative voices, fan-favorite characters, and accessible jumping-on points without abandoning continuity.
Architects of the ALL IN initiative, Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, are once again steering the direction. Since debuting with the DC ALL IN SPECIAL and the unveiling of the Absolute Universe, the line has focused on reinvigorating DC’s publishing slate with ambition and creative risk. NEXT LEVEL, according to both creators, is designed to build directly on that momentum.
Snyder describes NEXT LEVEL as the natural evolution of what ALL IN has been setting up since day one. From Absolute’s alternate takes to the high-octane chaos of DC K.O., the goal has been to generate enthusiasm not just among readers, but also retailers, while giving creators room to take meaningful swings. Williamson echoes that sentiment, positioning NEXT LEVEL as a way to “super-charge” DC’s core continuity in much the same way Absolute energized the line with unexpected new series.
At its core, DC: NEXT LEVEL is a slate of creator-forward #1s—new series starring established characters, each reimagined through a distinct genre lens. These books are fully in continuity, yet designed as largely standalone reads, allowing new readers to jump in while longtime fans enjoy fresh perspectives on familiar icons.
March 2026 launches with three flagship titles that exemplify the initiative’s range: Lobo, Batwoman, and Deathstroke: The Terminator.
Leading the charge on March 4 is Lobo #1, written by Skottie Young with art by Jorge Corona. Young and Corona, known for blending emotional storytelling with striking visuals, turn their attention to DC’s most infamous Czarnian. This series promises unapologetic excess—cosmic violence, dark humor, and continuity-savvy chaos—as Lobo barrels across the universe on a guitar-powered motorcycle, leaving bodies and broken contracts in his wake. Positioned as a guts-soaked bridge between DC K.O. and the far edges of the DC cosmos, Lobo leans fully into the character’s anarchic appeal while still grounding him within DC’s broader mythos.
Lobo character designs by Corona
A week later, on March 11, Batwoman #1 marks a significant homecoming. Greg Rucka, the Eisner-winning writer who helped define Kate Kane in her modern incarnation, returns to the character alongside visionary artist DaNi. This new series reframes Batwoman through a deeply personal and mythic lens, centered on Kate’s lifelong entanglement with a prophecy and a religion devoted to the apocalypse. Rucka’s approach emphasizes identity, faith, and defiance—asking how a soldier and hero fights the devil when the devil is very real. With DaNi’s bold, expressive artwork, Batwoman aims to redefine Kate Kane’s mission for a new generation while honoring the character’s legacy.
Batwoman character work by DaNi
Rounding out the month on March 18 is Deathstroke: The Terminator #1, from writer Tony Fleecs and artist Carmine Di Giandomenico. This series leans hard into brutal action and psychological intensity. Slade Wilson, the world’s deadliest assassin, finds himself targeted by an enemy determined to dismantle his life piece by piece. As the pressure mounts, Deathstroke evolves into his most lethal form yet—a remorseless terminator driven by revenge. Fleecs’ twisted narrative instincts combined with Di Giandomenico’s kinetic art promise a blood-soaked reinvention that still stays true to Slade’s core.
Deathstroke character designs by Di Giandomenico
Beyond these initial launches, DC NEXT LEVEL is positioned as an expansive initiative. Future titles will spotlight a wide range of characters, including Firestorm, Zatanna, the Teen Titans, The Demon, Barbara Gordon, and more. The creative roster reads like a who’s who of modern comics talent, featuring names such as Jeff Lemire, Mariko Tamaki, Jamal Campbell, Javier Rodríguez, James Harren, Kyle Higgins, and Deniz Camp, among others.
Importantly, Snyder and Williamson emphasize that NEXT LEVEL is designed with accessibility in mind. Like the Absolute line, these books roll out gradually, offering clear entry points without requiring encyclopedic knowledge of continuity. At the same time, they exist firmly alongside flagship titles like Superman, Batman, and Justice League Unlimited, ensuring cohesion across the DC Universe.
As Snyder puts it, this is only the beginning. NEXT LEVEL represents just the second phase of DC ALL IN, with many more stories waiting in the wings. For readers looking for a fresh, high-energy way into DC’s main line—or longtime fans eager to see bold new takes on beloved characters—March 2026 signals that DC is not just going all in, but taking things to the next level.
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