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Official Batman, Joker, and Superman manga from Japan is finally being released in English

Superman vs. Meshi, Batman: Justice Buster, and Joker: One Operation Joker will be serialized digitally later this year

DC/Kodansha
Image credit: DC

In an expansion of its relationship with Japanese giant Kodansha, DC has revealed that three manga titles featuring its heroes will receive their first official English-language publication exclusively on the DC Universe Infinite platform, ahead of print collections later this year.

The three titles — Joker: One Operation Joker by Satoshi Miyagawa (Uchuu Senkan Tiramisu) and Keisuke Gotou; Batman: Justice Buster by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi (Ultraman); and Superman vs. Meshi by Satoshi Miyagawa and Kai Kitago — will initially be released as digital exclusive serializations on the DC Universe Infinite subscription service, with the platform receiving an update to include what DC is describing as “a new manga-friendly reader” to better accommodate the material. Each title will then be offered in print collections via traditional retailers in the fall.

The news was announced during DC’s presentation at comics retailer convention ComicsPro. No launch date was given for the Kodansha/DC digital serializations.

DC’s descriptions of each title run as follows:

Joker: One Operation Joker
Image credit: DC

Joker: One Operation Joker

Joker: One Operation Joker is the Joker like you’ve never seen him before…as a single father?!

After a fateful encounter with Batman that results in the Dark Knight de-aging to a baby, Joker takes it upon himself to raise the child into the crusader of justice! But does the Clown Prince of Crime really understand what it means to be Batman—or, more importantly, what it means to raise a baby all by yourself? Joker: One Operation Joker is written by Satoshi Miyagawa (Uchuu Senkan Tiramisu) with art by Keisuke Gotou.

The original Japanese-language Joker: One Operation Joker is already available on eBay.

The English-language release of Joker: One Operation Joker is expected to be sometime in 2023 on DC Universe Infinite, with availability and print (and other digital platforms) afterwards.

Batman: Justice Buster
Image credit: DC

Batman: Justice Buster

In Batman: Justice Buster, Gotham City has been under the protection of Batman for only a short amount of time, but since the vigilante’s appearance, crime has changed. It’s gotten more bold, more destructive.

As Batman tries to rise to meet these new threats, he develops a computer system, ROBIN, to help him analyze and subdue the rising criminal tide and hopefully one day put an end to crime in Gotham.

Batman: Justice Buster is written and illustrated by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi (Ultraman).

If you can't bear to wait, the original Japanese-language Batman: Justice Buster is available on eBay.

The English-language release of Batman: Justice Buster is expected to be sometime in 2023 on DC Universe Infinite, with availability and print (and other digital platforms) afterwards.

Superman vs. Meshi
Image credit: DC

Superman vs. Meshi

It’s hungry work being Superman! That’s why every day for lunch in Superman vs. Meshi, Superman makes a quick stop over in Japan to try a new chain restaurant. Whether it’s a hearty bowl of curry or conveyor-belt sushi, the Man of Steel loves to indulge in the delectable delicacies the country has to offer. He’ll even share a meal with the other members of the Justice League from time to time in the hopes of showing them an incredible culinary experience.

Superman vs. Meshi is written by Satoshi Miyagawa with art by Kai Kitago.

EBay already has the original Japanese-language editions of Superman vs. Meshi, avalable straight from Japan.

The English-language release of Superman vs. Meshi is expected to be sometime in 2023 on DC Universe Infinite, with availability and print (and other digital platforms) afterwards.


DC isn’t the only western company in partnership with Kodansha. Last year, Disney signed a “game changer” of a deal with the company.

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Graeme McMillan

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Popverse staff writer Graeme McMillan (he/him) has been writing about comics, culture, and comics culture on the internet for close to two decades at this point, which is terrifying to admit. He completely understands if you have problems understanding his accent.

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