The storied rivalry between Marvel and DC is taking a backseat as the two comic giants announce their first crossover since the iconic 2003 JLA/Avengers series. This time, Batman and Deadpool are leading the charge into a new era of collaboration.
Entertainment Weekly has unveiled that Marvel and DC are set to release a pair of one-shot specials featuring the Caped Crusader and the Merc With a Mouth. Marvel will launch Deadpool/Batman #1, penned by Zeb Wells (The Amazing Spider-Man) and illustrated by Greg Capullo (Batman). Meanwhile, DC will counter with Batman/Deadpool #1, brought to life by writer Grant Morrison (Batman) and artist Dan Mora (Superman/Batman: World's Finest). Both issues will include additional "backup adventures" that bring together more characters from the Marvel and DC universes.
Art by Greg Capullo & Dan Mora. (Image Credit: Marvel/DC)
This project signifies the first major Marvel/DC crossover in over two decades, aside from the recent Fortnite's Omniverse event. Historically, the two publishers have collaborated on various crossovers, beginning with the landmark 1976 comic, Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man.
"It happens kind of once every generation of readers. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions as to why," says DC's President, Chief Creative Officer, and Publisher Jim Lee in an interview with EW. "The timing has to be right in that you don't want to do these too often. You want them to feel special. It is sort of finding that right moment for both companies to come together because it is complex. There's a lot more coordination, collaboration, approvals that have to be done. And, obviously, from the business side, you're sharing revenue, but it's going to be a big deal. So you want the story, creatively, to warrant the hype of it all."
Marvel Entertainment President Dan Buckley sheds light on why Batman and Deadpool were chosen to spearhead this event, stating, "It just felt like a fun combo. I'll be quite frank. It was nothing more complicated than that. Like, Deadpool hanging out with Batman. There's a lot of levity to be had in there, a lot of fun. And it would also be a little bit uber violent at the same time... Our big thing is we want to do something that is a lot of fun, showcase comics, generate excitement, and bring new readers or lapsed readers back into the industry."
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Deadpool/Batman #1 is slated for release on September 17, 2025, with Batman/Deadpool #1 following in November. Additionally, Entertainment Weekly reports that Marvel and DC are already in the planning stages for another set of crossover one-shots slated for 2026, though details on the characters involved remain under wraps.
Which Marvel/DC crossover would you like to see next? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don't miss out on exploring Batman's 10 greatest crossovers of all time.
