DC and Marvel are teaming up for a rare and high-profile crossover, with Batman vs Deadpool headlining the collaboration. The project features two major one-shot comics: Deadpool/Batman #1 from Marvel coming in September, and Batman/Deadpool #1 from DC set for November.
This marks the first major team-up between the two publishers in decades.
Written by ZEB WELLS with CREATORS TO BE REVEALED
Art by GREG CAPULLO with CREATORS TO BE REVEALED
Cover by GREG CAPULLO
On Sale 9/17
Marvel details: Zeb Wells, Greg Capullo
Marvel’s Deadpool/Batman #1 gets released September 17 by Zeb Wells and superstar artist Greg Capullo.
The one-shot will also include a series of backup stories featuring character matchups between Marvel and DC. Creative teams and full details will be announced later. Deadpool and Batman go head-to-head as Marvel and DC come together for the first time in decades. Wade Wilson takes on a job in Gotham, but Batman may not be so welcoming.
“After writing AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (2022) for 60 issues, I told Marvel I needed a break. Marvel told me I could do that or I could write a comic starring Deadpool and Batman with the best Batman artist of our generation. I no longer needed a break,” Wells said. “In Batman we’ve found someone who has even less time for Deadpool’s antics than Wolverine, but a city-wide threat from the Joker makes strange bedfellows (literally, if Deadpool had his way). It’s been a blast letting Deadpool loose in Gotham City and watching what happens.”
“Am I dreaming? This crossover is likely to be the high point of my career…and, I’ve had a great career,” Capullo added. “Some of my earliest work (many years ago) was on X-FORCE (1991), so Deadpool and I go way back. More recently, I spent 10-plus years drawing Batman at DC. The idea that I get to do a crossover event with Deadpool and Batman…If I am dreaming, please don’t wake me!”
DC details: Grant Morrison, Dan Mora; Jim Lee reacts
DC’s Batman/Deadpool #1 will be written by Grant Morrison, known for legendary runs on both Batman and X-Men, and drawn by Dan Mora, currently one of DC’s most in-demand artists.
Morrison described the project as full of “4th wall busting mayhem, owls, blood, blades, and at least one giant typewriter.”
“I don’t do many comics these days but there was no way I could turn down the chance to work with Dan Mora again, one of my all-time favourite artistic collaborators—and definitely no way I could turn down Batman and Deadpool!” said Grant Morrison. “Expect 4th wall busting mayhem, owls, blood, blades, and at least one giant typewriter!”
Mora called the chance to draw Deadpool and Batman together a dream and said he jumped at the opportunity to collaborate with Morrison again.
“This is more than I ever imagined I could do in my career, and it is a huge honor to be part of this crossover: it doesn’t happen too often, and I am a HUGE Deadpool fan!” said Dan Mora. “When I first worked with Grant, I didn’t know what to expect but it was an incredible team-up. I always hoped to work with Grant again, and working on Batman/Deadpool is like a dream come true. Grant and I working together on this once-in-a-lifetime project is going to be such a fun experience.”
Jim Lee praised both creators, saying, “Pairing Grant and Dan was the perfect choice. Grant knows what makes these characters tick, and Dan’s clean, dynamic style captures where the DC Universe is at right now.”
“I don’t want to share too much, but it is just a very creative story in the best sense, in terms of what Grant Morrison is known for,” said DC President, Publisher, and Chief Creative Officer Jim Lee. “Dan Mora, of course, is just killing it right now. He is one of our perennial visionaries, I think, for the DC Universe. His style is just so dynamic, but also very clean and classic. In many ways it’s sort of a fusion of Curt Swan, and maybe Gil Kane. When I see a Dan Mora piece, to me that really like sums up where the DC Universe is at right now. I think pairing both Grant and Dan, it was just the perfect choice to bring the story to life. And obviously, you know, Grant, has had seminal runs on both the X-Men and Batman. You know he knows these universes. He knows what makes these characters tick, and he distills it down in a way that is both enlightening and creative and fun. I’m just excited for fans to be able to read his and Dan’s take on this unique crossover.”
Backup Stories and More
In addition to the Morrison-Mora lead story, Batman/Deadpool #1 will feature multiple backup stories. Each will spotlight matchups between DC and Marvel characters. Creative teams for those will be announced soon.
Marvel Gets the First Shot
Marvel will publish its one-shot Deadpool/Batman #1 in September, two months ahead of DC’s entry. Details on that issue’s additional creative team and content haven’t been revealed yet.
The crossover has been described as “more than twenty years in the making” and is part of a larger joint initiative between the two comic giants.
What’s Next
DC and Marvel plan to reveal more about this initiative in the coming months. For now, fans can expect Deadpool/Batman in September and Batman/Deadpool in November—each offering their own take on the Batman vs Deadpool concept.
