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DC aims to replicate Absolute Batman & the other Absolute books' success but with Lobo, Batwoman, and Deathstroke... and do it inside core DCU canon

A fresh take on some of DC's most iconic characters is on the way as Next Level kicks into gear.

DC Next Level Promo Art
Image credit: DC Comics/Jorge Corona

When DC Comics comes across something that works, you can always bet that they will do their best to replicate it. With Absolute Batman becoming one of their best-selling comics in recent years, it wasn’t long before the Absolute line was expanded to include more characters. Now, DC is taking the things people loved about Absolute Batman and applying them to Lobo, Batwoman, and Deathstroke – but they’re keeping them in the mainstream DC continuity at the same time.

The DC All In initiative continues with what Scott Snyder and Joshua Willimanson are calling DC: Next Level. The first title in this wave of comics is Lobo #1, which goes on sale on March 4, 2026. Written by Skottie Young with art and main cover by Jorge Corona, Lobo’s new series sees the Main Man travel to the far end of the universe on his intergalactic motorcycle to carve his name into the Source Wall with a really cool knife. That is honestly the most Lobo thing we can think of – finding an impossible-to-find thing and stabbing it multiple times just for fun.

Next up is Batwoman #1, which is out on March 11, 2026 and is written by Greg Rucka and drawn by DaNi. It follows Kate Kane as she lives in the “shadow of a prophecy and the machinations of a religion devoted to the end of all things.” DC has said that this series will redefine Batwoman for a whole new generation of fans.

Finally, we have Deathstroke: The Terminator #1 out on shelves on March 18, 2026. The series is written by Tony Fleecs, with art and cover by Carmine Di Giandomenico. This series aims to take Slade Wilson back to his “purest form” by emphasizing the unstoppable drive that earned him the nickname of The Terminator. Driven and deadly, Deathstroke is pursued by assassins, but they’re going to have to get up pretty early to bring him down.

All of these titles were originally announced at NYCC 2025, but now we know who is writing and drawing each of the first three DC: Next Level books as well as when they’ll be on your local comic book shelf.


Need more? Here's our picks for the best DC Comics stories of all time.

Trent Cannon

Trent Cannon: Trent is a freelance writer who has been covering anime, video games, and pop culture for a decade. (He/Him)

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