If you’re a comic book fan, there’s no way you didn’t love what DC Comics put together this year. The Absolute Universe has been a 10/10. Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez are rocking as the new creative team for Batman. And the DC KO Tournament has been fun while also having some surprising defeats.
With 2026 around the corner, it’s time to take a look at what DC Comics characters will be worth paying attention to next year. For example, Absolute Sojourner Mullein, Earth-Prime’s Hal Jordon, and Aquaman’s daughter are all people who will have a big year. However, if you don’t have time to check out everyone, the following ten are the ones that you need to keep an eye on.
Absolute Wonder Woman
This one gets my vote for the best comic book of 2025, and it’s easy to guess Kelly Thompson will continue to make Absolute Wonder Woman a must-read as we head into the new year. One of my biggest expectations is seeing Diana meet more Amazons and fight classic Gods of Olympus. Maybe she’ll give Apollo the punch in the face he deserves.
Whatever happens in this story going forward, we are ready to see more of this epic, must-read tale.
Superman
Supeman has been having a harder time than normal with Kryptonite being available to everyone, from criminals using it for weapons to celebrities wearing it as jewelry. That’s on top of the DC KO tournament and the other random stuff he has going on.
I expect something bad to happen to him in 2026. I hope I'm wrong, but the Man of Steel has had plenty of issues to deal with already!
Absolute Lois Lane
The Absolute Universe's Lois Lane is tough, gun-ready, and possibly savvier than her Prime Earth counterpart. In fact, this writer will go as far as to say she’s the best part of Absolute Superman. Kal-El is great, but there’s something about Lois that’s more intriguing.
Jason Aaron has shown readers that she has a ton of potential, and, if you’re a fan of his, you know Jason Aaron won’t stop short of making her character legendary. Be ready for her to get even better in 2026.
Absolute Joker
This is by far the scariest version of The Joker we’ve seen. And not because he has a form that turns him into a monster (although that helps). It’s because he’s calm, no-nonsense, and has a dominant personality. Even among powerful and intimidating people during Absolute Evil, it was easy to see that he was the one in charge.
The Joker's origin may be told in Absolute Batman No. 15, but that's only the beginning. Whatever DC Comics has planned for him will be epic. Darkseid may learn that the monster he created may be more devious than he is.
Superboy-Prime
There’s no way that Superboy-Prime was brought back for only a few issues. He will do something in 2026 that will affect the entire DC Comics universe. Never forget that his fourth wall-breaking is more than just jokes. It’s a superpower. Maybe he uses that to win the DC KO Tournament.
It's been great seeing him on our DC pages again. Now let's make it a more regular thing!
Nightwing
Not enough people are talking about Dan Watters, Veronica Gandin, and Dexter Soy’s Nightwing. The trio has made Dick Grayson’s story darker after Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo made things better in Bludhaven.
Dick has been through a lot already but I fully expect things to get worse for the character before they get better. That will lead to a climax you won’t want to miss.
Aquaman
The “all he does is talk to fish” conversation is over because Jeremy Adams has made Aquaman a god. Next year, readers are going to see what Arthur Curry is made of as he ventures into a new era of his life as a hero. He’s already killed an unwater deity who ruled for years, and that was just the warm-up act. What’s next will be spectacular or tragic.
Sit tight, Aquaman fans; it could be one of his biggest years yet!
Absolute Batman
An argument can be made that Absolute Batman is the best new comic book character in decades. The best part about that statement is that Scott Snyder will continue making Bruce Wayne’s life Hell with demonized versions of his enemies. And while that is terrifying, that means we’ll see this Dark Knight overcome things no one should be able to.
I’m calling it now: 2026 will be the year of the Absolute Dark Knight. Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman will both be great, but Batman will reign supreme.
Cassandra Cain
Writer Tate Brombal and artist Takeshi Miyazawa are doing an amazing job with Cassandra Cain in Batgirl. Meanwhile, for years in Birds of Prey, Kelly Thompson has been making Cassie a fun character while ensuring that she still remains one of the most dangerous characters in DC Comics.
I fully expect Cassie to become even greater than we’ve seen because I feel as if James Gunn has well-deserved plans for her on the big screen one day. That means she’ll need to be highlighted more in comics. Perhaps now is the time for that to happen!
Darkseid
Finally, we come to the villain who’s thrown the entire multiverse into disarray. The former Lord of Apokalips and current ruler/inspiration for the Absolute Universe has been on a mission to make everything a hellscape. He won’t succeed, but he won’t stop trying. After the DC KO Tournament ends, his next move will be even more diabolical. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow to find out what that is.
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