The idea of signing exclusive contracts in comic books isn’t something new, but it seems to be happening more over the last five or so years. For example, earlier in 2025, DC Comics locked up Green Lantern and Aquaman writer Jeremy Adams by giving him an exclusive deal. As someone who didn’t appreciate Aquaman or Hal Jordan until Adams, this was a big move. On the flip side, Marvel Comics has now signed one of DC Comics’ best creators to an exclusive deal, and his name is Phillip Kennedy Johnson.
Kennedy made the announcement via an Instagram post, in which he says that there are some unbelievable things coming up in Marvel. The exclusive multi-year deal starts in 2026 and he will be able to complete his DC runs first. He also mentions that what’s coming for Marvel is “bigger in scope and scale” and the most ambitious thing he’s ever done. He also adds that he isn’t just talking about the stuff with and after Infernal Hulk. He says it’s happening in other books he can’t talk about.
"To me, comics have always been about making cool s**t with your friends. And I've got nothing but friends at DC and Marvel, and other publishers."Phillips Kennedy Johnson
You may know Phillip Kennedy Johnson from various DC Comics titles. Among them are Superman: The Warworld Saga and Batman and Robin. Both series helped redefine two of the most iconic characters in comics (Superman and Batman) while making newer or lesser-known ones fun. It's a talent for sure, and it wouldn't be surprising to see some of those lesser-known characters featured in movies and TV shows in the not-too-distant future because of stories like these.
Most recently, you may have seen Johnson taking Bruce Banner and his alter ego to deadly and monstrous heights in The Incredible Hulk. After reading the first issue of his newest series, Infernal Hulk, it’s easy to see that he’s taking another classic character and making them even greater than before.
In both Hulk titles, readers are seeing villains straight out of a horror story. And, when referring to his newest run, Phillip Kennedy Johnson said, “And no corner of the Marvel Universe will be left unscathed by the time this is done.” Hearing him say this explains part of the reason why Marvel is excited to work with him on an exclusive basis.
If you’re unaware of what to expect from Phillip Kennedy Johnson, I can say with confidence that he knows how to get people invested in the characters. A perfect example of this comes in his run of Action Comics in issue No.1050. Yes, Kennedy started writing this series before that, but the stories that came at that starting point are special to me. I was able to take in everything about Superman’s family and see that they weren’t, for the lack of a better word, corny.
In issue No. 1050, readers see that Lois Lane kept Clark’s Warworld outfit. Judging by how quickly she hid it from their son, it was clearly used for their... adult time. It was hilarious and showed a new layer that people may not have known existed. But, when it came to getting serious, you're reminded that Superman is still the best person in comic books when it comes to inspiring people.
If Phillip Kennedy Johnson can bring new ideas for DC Comics characters like Superman and Lois, imagine what he will do next in his Marvel era. There are a plethora of X-Men, like Multiple Man and Cable, or Avengers like Black Knight and Namor, that could use his brutal and in-depth storytelling. We can't wait to see what comes next for the characters' stories he tells.
Thanks for reading. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow’s social media pages on Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter to see what’s next for Phillip Kennedy Johnson.