DC is expanding its Next Level publishing line with three new ongoing series, “Legion of Super-Heroes,” “Teen Titans” and “The Doom Patrol,” all set to debut on the same day, Sept. 2.
The announcement, made by DC Publicity, marks the latest wave of the Next Level initiative, which has already produced titles including “Batwoman,” “Lobo,” “Deathstroke: The Terminator,” “Firestorm,” “Zatanna,” “Barbara Gordon: Breakout” and “The Deadman.” The new books will sit alongside DC’s ongoing main universe and Absolute universe titles as part of the publisher’s broader DC All In push.
“These books are set in continuity,” DC co-architect Josh Williamson said. “While the series will be independent reads and not heavily tied to other books, they will exist alongside DC’s ongoing comic book series like “Superman,” “Batman,” “Justice League Unlimited” and more.”
Fellow co-architect Scott Snyder said the new line is designed with newcomers in mind.
“The DC Next Level books are very new-reader friendly and will roll out over time,” Snyder said. “Like the Absolute line, this is an initiative that welcomes new readers looking for a jumping-on spot for DC’s main line of comic books.”
“Legion of Super-Heroes” no. 1 is written by Joshua Williamson with art by Hayden Sherman. Set a thousand years after Superman’s rocket crashed on Earth, the series follows a future where superheroes are outlawed and a mysterious Brainiac 1 of 5 must assemble a team of young rebels after the murder of R.J. Brande. The 40-page debut issue will retail for $3.99, with card stock variants at $4.99 and a foil variant at $6.99.
“Teen Titans” no. 1 comes from writer Kyle Higgins and artist Daniele Di Nicuolo, the team behind “Power Rangers: Shattered Grid.” The series centers on a group of young heroes, Fairplay, Cheshire Cat, Proxy and Wildcard, who team up with Red Hood after a friend disappears from a rally tied to a youth movement called Ascend. The 32-page debut will retail for $3.99, with card stock variants at $4.99 and a foil variant at $6.99.
“The Doom Patrol” no. 1 is written by Darcy Van Poelgeest with art by Niko Henrichon. The series reimagines the team as a heroes-for-hire operation taking on a seemingly simple missing cat case that spirals into something stranger, while a figure from the team’s past prepares to cross back into their world. The 32-page debut will also retail for $3.99, with card stock variants at $4.99 and a foil variant at $6.99.
DC said more Next Level announcements are coming as part of the ongoing DC All In initiative, with additional creator-driven debuts planned for characters including Batwoman, Deadshot, Deathstroke, the Demon, Firestorm, Lobo, Barbara Gordon, Deadman, Jonah Hex and Zatanna.
All three series launch Sept. 2.
