UPDATE 9/19: Batman appeared on top of the Sydney Opera House for Batman Day 2026.
UPDATE 9/17: The full Batman of Two Worlds creative team â Scott Snyder, Matt Fraction, Nick Dragotta, Javi FernĂĄndez, and Frank Martin â is signing together at New York Comic Con on Saturday, October 10.
UPDATE: Batman (1989), Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, and The LEGO Batman Movie are returning to theaters September 18 for Batman Day.
DC has announced its Batman Day 2026 plans, and the headliner is Batman of Two Worlds, a one-shot that puts the main DC Universe Batman and Absolute Batman in the same comic book.
The issue arrives at participating comic shops worldwide on September 19 for $2.99.
The book features two all-new stories.
Matt Fraction writes the Batman story with artist Javi FernĂĄndez, colorist Tomeu Morey, and letterer Clayton Cowles.
Scott Snyder writes the Absolute Batman story with artist Nick Derington, colorist Frank Martin, and letterer Tom Napolitano. The cover comes from Jorge Jiménez, Nick Dragotta, and Frank Martin.
Two Stories Built Around One Crime
Both writers say the two stories connect through a single idea.
“Without giving too much away, both stories are about theft, what theft means in one world versus the other, and what Batman’s form of justice looks like in each,” Snyder said. “That was the guiding principle that gave us the opportunity to tell two stories that celebrate each interpretation.”
“At the heart of it, it’s really simple. One problem, two solutions,” Fraction said. “Each version of Batman has his own way of working and his own solution to that problem. The fun was putting them side by side so you can see the similarities, the differences, and the unique flavor and texture of each world.”
Masks, Hardcovers, And Free Digital Comics
Participating shops will also hand out four paper Batman masks drawn by Ryan Sook: Batman in the style of Jorge Jiménez, Absolute Batman in the style of Nick Dragotta, Hush Batman in the style of Jim Lee, and Dark Knight Returns Batman in the style of Frank Miller.
Activities vary by store, so check with your local shop.
DC is also releasing five hardcovers for Batman Day:
- Batman Vol. 1: Daylight ($29.99) by Matt Fraction and Jorge JimĂ©nez, with a new Batman Day cover by JimĂ©nez paying homage to Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman #1 cover
- Batman ’89 ($29.99) by Sam Hamm and Joe Quinones, with an exclusive dust jacket featuring artwork from the 1989 Batman movie and a digital code for the film
- Batman: H2SH Volume One ($29.99) by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee, publishing day-and-date with international partners in Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, and more
- Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Deluxe Edition ($44.99) by Frank Miller, with a new Raymond Swanland cover featuring artwork from the animated adaptations and a digital code for the animated movies
- Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham â The Deluxe Edition ($34.99) by Rafael GrampĂĄ
On the digital side, DC Universe Infinite is offering a batch of free-to-read Batman comics, including Absolute Batman #1-3 and the complete Batman: Wayne Family Adventures in DC’s vertical-scrolling DC GO! format.
DCUI is also partnering with WB Games: connect your DCUI account to your WB Games account and you get a Comic Rack Batcave Prop in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, with premium subscribers getting an additional Jarro prop.
DC is running a 30-day free trial of DCUI’s Ultra Monthly plan for Batman Day as well.
Shops Around The World Are Celebrating
Comic shops across North America, Latin America, Europe, and Japan are running signings, cosplay contests, and giveaways on Batman Day.
Dragon’s Lair in Austin is hosting Patricia Peters, Michelle Pfeiffer’s stunt double from Batman Returns, along with a Tim Burton Batmobile replica. Heroes & Fantasies in San Antonio is raising money for ComicBooks For Kids, and Neighborhood Comics in Savannah has a Gotham cosplay contest.
Internationally, OVNI Press is throwing a free nighttime costume party in Buenos Aires, Panini Italy has a Corrado Roi signing in Milan, and Panini Brasil has appearances from artist Alex Shibao.
“That’s the fun of Batman Day,” Snyder said. “It’s a chance to celebrate this character, spend time with other fans, and talk about the ways Batman has meant something in your own life.”
“I hope this comic inspires people to make a trip to their local comics shop every week,” Fraction added. “I hope it gets people excited about comics as a medium, reminds longtime readers what they fell in love with, or helps someone discover that feeling for the very first time. Come fall in love with comics like the rest of us!”
