Red Hood, Barbara Gordon, and More Fan-Favorite Characters Are Joining DC’s Next Level Lineup
Once the dust settles around the DC K.O. event, the DC Universe is set to spotlight a massive crop of beloved characters through its Next Level initiative. Announced at last year’s New York Comic Con, the line promises to pair fan-favorite heroes and villains with a star-studded crop of creators… and the latest round of announcements is absolutely no exception.
On Thursday, as part of the publisher’s presentation at the ComicsPRO industry conference, DC revealed even more details around the latest crop of Next Level books. Three new series were officially announced: Barbara Gordon: Breakout in May, The Deadman in June, and a new Teen Titans series at some point in the summer.
First up will be Barbara Gordon: Breakout, written by Mariko Tamaki with art by Amancay Nahuelpan. Debuting on Wednesday, May 13th, the first issue will feature a main cover by Karl Kerschl, variant covers by Jorge Corona, David Nakayama, and Yanick Paquette, and a 1:25 incentive variant by Nahuelpan.
“Framed. Outlawed. Hunted,” the description for the series reads. “The extralegal activities of Gotham City’s vigilantes have never been more dangerous. After Barbara Gordon is arrested for aiding the Bat-Family, she is shipped off to Supermax, GCPD Commissioner Vandal Savage’s pet-project prison for all who oppose him. She will find herself alone, surrounded by dangerous criminals and equally dangerous guards, in a place where nothing is what it seems. The true danger is just beginning.”
A few weeks later, on Wednesday, June 3rd, DC will launch The Deadman from the Ice Cream Man and Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum team of W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo, and Chris O’Halloran.
“In the aftermath of DC K.O., the balance between life and death has been thrown into chaos, leaving souls trapped in a dangerous loop of ghostly derangement,” the description for the series reads. “Only Boston Brand—the one and only Deadman—can possess the living and the metahuman alike to uncover the source of the disruption and restore order before the entire world slips into spiritual freefall.”
Who is Leading the Teen Titans?!
Additionally, the presentation included the first look at the Next Level initiative’s new Teen Titans series, which will be launching at some point in the summer. From the Power Rangers: Shattered Grid team of writer Kyle Higgins and artist Daniele Di Nicuolo, the book will pair Red Hood with an ensemble of young heroes, including Cheshire Cat and Flatline.
As the official description reads: “Red Hood uncovers a network of missing powered teens and reluctantly joins forces with a new generation of plugged-in, hyper-capable young heroes to find them and expose the lie dividing their world.”
This trio of books joins a Next Level roster that is already confirmed to include Zatanna by Jamal Campbell, The Fury of Firestorm written by Jeff Lemiere with art by Rafael De Latorre, Lobo written by Skottie Young with art by Jorge Corona, Deathstroke: The Terminator written by Tony Fleecs with art by Carmine di Giandomenico, and Batwoman written by Greg Rucka with art by Dani.
Additional books on the horizon for the line will include a Legion of Super-Heroes book written by Joshua Williamson, and new books for Doom Patrol, Jonah Hex, The Demon, and Batman: Shadow of the Bat. The full creative teams for those will be announced at a later date.
(featured image: DC)
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