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2026 is here, and comic book fans have a whole year\u2019s worth of exciting new stories to look forward to. Marvel will be ushering in a new era for the X-Men line and building to what looks to be one of its most consequential crossover events in years, Armageddon. DC will move forward from the DC K.O. crossover with a new wave of titles, even as they expand the fan-favorite Absolute Universe. And elsewhere in the industry, we\u2019ve got our eyes on everything from Skybound\u2019s Energon Universe to the new Archie Comics reboot.<\/p>\n
Scroll down to see our most anticipated comics of 2025, and be sure to let us know in the comments what you have on your to-read list this year.<\/p>\n
IDW\u2019s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles<\/h2>\n <\/p>\n\n
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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #14 Exclusive Preview Gallery<\/h3>\n<\/output><\/p>\n
IDW\u2019s TMNT publishing line has been in top form in 2025, and we see no reason why that would change in the new year. If you\u2019ve ever considered diving into this universe, now really is the time.<\/p>\n
The flagship TMNT comic recently underwent a major evolution, as the new creative team of Gene Luen Yang and Freddie E. Williams II just took over the series and introduced a major new villain called Ujigami. Issue #13 delivered quite the twist on that front, and we\u2019re excited to see where the series goes from here. Plus, there are all the worthwhile spinoffs like TMNT: Casey Jones and TMNT: Shredder.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re also hoping that 2026 will bring more news on the future of the Last Ronin saga. We know that writers Tom Waltz and Kevin Eastman are working on a third act of the Last Ronin trilogy. Could it see release in 2026? Here\u2019s hoping.<\/p>\n
X-Men: Shadows of Tomorrow<\/h2>\n <\/p>\nArt by Stefano Caselli. (Image Credit: Marvel)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/output><\/p>\n
The X-Men franchise is rounding out 2025 with the conclusion of a line-wide crossover event called Age of Revelation. Even though that crossover is set a decade in the future, its ramifications will extend back into the present day as the X-Men struggle to move forward. That\u2019s where the new status quo, Shadows of Tomorrow, comes into play.<\/p>\n
Expect plenty of new titles and fresh starting points for continuing books like Wolverine, X-Men, and Uncanny X-Men. We\u2019re especially intrigued by Eve L. Ewing and Tiago Palman\u2019s X-Men United, which seemingly deals with Emma Frost creating a psychic haven for mutantkind to replace the real one they lost with Krakoa. Also on our radar is Alex Paknadel and Roge Antonio\u2019s Cyclops series, as the indomitable mutant leader breaks out on his own.<\/p>\n
DC: Next Level<\/h2>\n <\/p>\nArt by Jorge Corona. (Image Credit: DC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/output><\/p>\n
DC gave fans an easy gateway into the DC Universe with 2024\u2019s DC All In initiative. Once DC K.O. wraps up, they\u2019ll be unleashing phase 2 of that ambitious undertaking. Part of that includes a promotion called DC Next Level, featuring a new wave of promising titles.<\/p>\n
The first batch of DC Next Level books includes Lobo, from Skottie Young and Jorge Corona, Batwoman, from Greg Rucka and DaNi, and Deathstroke: The Terminator, from Tony Fleecs and Carmine Di Giandomenico. The goal with each series is to match the energy and inventiveness of books like Absolute Batman, but do it within the traditional DCU. We\u2019re definitely sold on that idea. <\/p>\n
The Archie Comics Reboot<\/h2>\n <\/p>\n\n
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Archie Comics Gets Rebooted in 2026 – Teaser Art Gallery<\/h3>\n<\/output><\/p>\n
Things have been fairly quiet on the Archie Comics front in recent years, with the New Riverdale line quietly fading away and horror books like Afterlife With Archie coming out very infrequently. But all that changes in a big way in 2026. Archie is teaming up with Oni Press to completely reboot their comic line with a postmodern flair<\/u>.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s really the creative teams that have us sold on this one, as Oni is drawing from some of the most interesting and innovative names in the industry for the new Archie line. That includes W. Maxwell Prince and Nick Cagnetti\u2019s Archie, Corinna Bechko and Kano\u2019s Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and Patrick Horvath and Tyler Crook\u2019s Archie in Hell. The stated goal is to give readers the Archie franchise\u2019s answer to All-Star Superman, and we couldn’t be more thrilled at that prospect.<\/p>\n
Armageddon<\/h2>\n <\/p>\nArt by Chip Zdarsky. (Image Credit: Marvel)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/output><\/p>\n
Marvel just wrapped up the One World Under Doom crossover, with the world still recovering from being temporarily under Doom\u2019s tyrannical rule. That uneasy status quo will feed directly into Marvel\u2019s big crossover event for 2026, Armageddon<\/u>.<\/p>\n
We don\u2019t know a great deal about Armageddon just yet, other than that it\u2019s being spearheaded by Captain America writer Chip Zdarsky and that it\u2019s said to shake up the Avengers franchise in a way we haven\u2019t seen since 2004\u2019s Avengers Disassembled. Zdarsky will lay the foundation of the storyline in February\u2019s Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon miniseries before getting to the main event this summer.<\/p>\n
The Absolute Universe Grows<\/h2>\n <\/p>\nArt by Frank Cho. (Image Credit: DC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/output><\/p>\n
We\u2019re fully on board with DC\u2019s Absolute Universe right now, and if the sales charts are any indication, we\u2019re hardly the only ones. Fans can expect the Absolute line to grow even bigger in 2026, even as new connections start to form between the various titles.<\/p>\n
We know of at least one new Absolute comic launching this year. That would be Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque\u2019s Absolute Green Arrow, due to hit in Spring 2026. If the recent Absolute Evil one-shot<\/u> didn\u2019t make it apparent, this series is going to be far different than readers are expecting, with Albuquerque even revealing it\u2019s basically a horror comic. <\/p>\n
We\u2019re also looking forward to Absolute Wonder Woman #15 and Absolute Batman #16, which will feature the first team-up between the Dark Knight and Wonder Woman in this universe. Also on the Absolute Wonder Woman front, that series is about to introduce this world\u2019s version of Zatanna. Too bad the Absolute U. already has a Justice League\u2026<\/p>\n
The Return of Negative Burn<\/h2>\n<\/p>\nArt by Joseph Michael Linsner. (Image Credit: Zoop)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/output><\/div>\n
Few anthology comics have quite the reputation and pedigree of Joe Pruett\u2019s Negative Burn. Fortunately, that series is making its long-overdue return in 2026 thanks to the Zoop crowdfunding platform. As before, the goal is to explore numerous genres and provide a platform for creators to push the boundaries of the medium. <\/p>\n
The creative talent pool for this latest volume is certainly impressive enough, including Mike Allred, Marguerite Bennett, Brian Bolland, Mike Carey, J.M. DeMatteis, Francesco Francavilla, Phil Hester, Joe Jusko, Sam Kieth, Joe Linsner, Ron Marz, Peter Milligan, Steve Niles, Dan Panosian, Paul Pope, Joe Pruett, James Robinson, Declan Shalvey, and Dalibor Talajic.<\/p>\n
Imperial Guardians<\/h2>\n <\/p>\nArt by Sean Izaakse. (Image Credit: Marvel)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/output><\/p>\n
Marvel published Jonathan Hickman\u2019s Imperial in 2025, with the series shaking up the cosmic status quo and establishing a foundation for a new line of books. Most of those new titles have debuted already, like Planet She-Hulk and Nova: Centurion. But Marvel is saving the most exciting one of all for 2026.<\/p>\n
Imperial Guardians offers readers a dramatically different take on the classic Guardians of the Galaxy team, one intended to suit this uncertain new status quo. The team roster is nothing if not eclectic, including Captain Marvel, Darkhawk, Gamora, Brawn, and Cosmic Ghost Rider. But the real appeal with this series is that it\u2019s written by Dan Abnett, one half of the duo who so successfully revamped the Guardians in the \u201800s. Let\u2019s hope he can work that same magic all over again.<\/p>\n
The New Vertigo<\/h2>\n <\/p>\n\n
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DC’s New Vertigo Imprint Comics – Art Gallery<\/h3>\n<\/output><\/p>\n
There\u2019s been a tangible void in DC\u2019s publishing lineup ever since they shelved the critically acclaimed Vertigo imprint in 2019<\/u>. Sure, there\u2019s still the DC Black Label line for mature readers-focused takes on DC characters, but what about all the creator-owned fare, like Preacher and Y: The Last Man, that Vertigo used to do so well?<\/p>\n
Fortunately, DC has seen fit to resurrect Vertigo in 2026. Fans can expect to see a couple of familiar properties like The Nice House By the Sea and a 100 Bullets sequel, but for the most part, this is all about spotlighting new ideas and new creative teams. And with books by industry luminaries like Deniz Camp, Kyle Starks, and Chris Condon, there\u2019s ample reason to be excited about Vertigo\u2019s return.<\/p>\n
An Energon Universe Crossover<\/h2>\n <\/p>\nArt by Tom Reilly. (Image Credit: Skybound\/Hasbro)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/output><\/p>\n
Skybound\u2019s Energon Universe line has been a major hit over the past couple of years, for many of the same reasons as DC\u2019s Absolute Universe and Marvel\u2019s Ultimate Universe. It offers a clean, accessible gateway into the shared world of G.I. Joe and Transformers, driven by some of the top creators working today.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re eager to see where the line takes us in 2026, especially as all signs point to even more interconnectivity between the various titles. For example, March\u2019s G.I. Joe #20 teases the very first meeting between Duke and Optimus Prime. Surely, this is going to be a watershed moment for this universe, and fans shouldn\u2019t miss it.<\/p>\n
The End of the Ultimate Universe<\/h2>\n <\/p>\nArt by Mark Brooks. (Image Credit: Marvel)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/output><\/p>\n
As mentioned, Marvel\u2019s new Ultimate line has been a huge hit for the publisher, and we\u2019re still having trouble coming to terms with the idea that they\u2019re ending it soon<\/u>. But better to finish on a high note rather than allow the Ultimate Universe to overstay its welcome like its predecessor did.<\/p>\n
The end of the Ultimate line officially begins in Ultimate Endgame #1, which launches on New Year\u2019s Eve 2025. That issue delivers the moment fans have been waiting for since 2023, as The Maker finally emerges from his 1000-year exile and Earth\u2019s heroes make their desperate stand. Look for that final showdown to play out across Ultimate Endgame and all the rest of the line in the early months of 2026. Who will win the battle for the soul of Earth-6160? <\/p>\n
Big Changes in Gotham City<\/h2>\n <\/p>\nArt by Jorge Jim\u00e9nez. (Image Credit: DC)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/output><\/p>\n
March 2026 is going to be a transformative month for the entire DC publishing catalog, as that\u2019s when DC All In 2.0 officially begins. All In isn\u2019t a reboot, but merely a fresh starting point for DC\u2019s ongoing titles. We\u2019re especially excited by the big changes hitting the Batman family of books.<\/p>\n
The biggest news here is that Joker will make his debut in Matt Fraction and Jorge Jim\u00e9nez\u2019s flagship Batman title, with DC teasing that we\u2019ve never seen the Clown Prince of Crime depicted the way he is in March\u2019s Batman #7. Other big developments include Poison Ivy becoming the new mayor of Gotham City and Green Arrow joining the cast of Tom Taylor\u2019s Detective Comics. If you\u2019ve been looking for a good starting point with DC\u2019s core Batman line, this is it.<\/p>\n
The Return of Saga\u2026 and More<\/h2>\n <\/p>\nArt by Fiona Staples. (Image Credit: Image Comics)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/output><\/p>\n
Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples\u2019 Saga has consistently been one of the best sci-fi comics on the market since it debuted in 2012. Unfortunately, the series has been prone to fairly lengthy hiatuses lately, with the most recent issue dropping in March 2025. Thankfully, Vaughan recently confirmed that Saga will return in 2026<\/u>, as he and Staples are hard at work on their next story arc.<\/p>\n
Vaughan writes, \u201cI\u2019m happy to share that I\u2019ve already written all the scripts for our next arc, and completed my most detailed overview yet of the other remaining issues of Saga (which everyone corrected me is actually 30 more chapters after this volume, not 48 as I originally mistyped; I am dumb at math). Fiona and I are still 100% committed to completing Hazel\u2019s 18-volume journey to young adulthood, and, spoiler alert, it\u2019s going to be f***ing awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n
Better still, Vaughan is teasing that part of the reason the series has been MIA is that he and Staples have been working on other mystery projects, and we should see the fruits of those labors in 2026, too.<\/p>\n
Iron Man\u2019s New Series<\/h2>\n <\/p>\n