The legendary rivalry between Marvel and DC is taking a backseat as the two giants collaborate on their first crossover comics since 2003's JLA/Avengers. The exciting news is that Batman and Deadpool are leading the charge into this new era of cooperation.
As reported by Entertainment Weekly, Marvel and DC are set to release a pair of one-shot specials featuring the iconic Dark Knight and the irreverent Merc With a Mouth. Marvel's Deadpool/Batman #1, penned by Zeb Wells (The Amazing Spider-Man) and illustrated by Greg Capullo (Batman), will be complemented by DC's Batman/Deadpool #1, crafted by writer Grant Morrison (Batman) and artist Dan Mora (Superman/Batman: World's Finest). Both comics will also feature additional "backup adventures" showcasing other characters from the Marvel and DC Universes.
Art by Greg Capullo & Dan Mora. (Image Credit: Marvel/DC)
This marks the first significant Marvel/DC crossover in over two decades, with the exception of Fortnite's Omniverse. Historically, the two publishers have collaborated on various crossovers, starting with 1976's Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man.
DC's President, Chief Creative Officer, and Publisher Jim Lee shared his thoughts with EW, saying, "It happens kind of once every generation of readers. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions as to why. 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 explained the choice of Batman and Deadpool for 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, EW reveals that Marvel and DC are already working on another set of crossover one-shots for 2026, though the featured characters remain a mystery for now.
Let us know in the comments which Marvel/DC crossover you're most excited to see next, and don't forget to explore Batman's 10 greatest crossovers of all time.
