Exciting Announcements from NYCC: Batman's Hush Sequel and the Return of Vertigo

DC Comics has unveiled exciting developments during the recent "Jim Lee & Friends" panel at NYCC, including the revival of the beloved Vertigo imprint and the announcement of a sequel to one of Batman's most celebrated narratives after a two-decade hiatus.

Jim Lee shared that he and writer Jeph Loeb are reuniting for a continuation of the Batman: Hush story from 2002-04. This next chapter will be integrated into the ongoing Batman series, beginning with issue #158 set to release in March 2025, suggesting that current writer Chip Zdarsky may conclude his run with the preceding issue, #157. Additionally, a four-page prelude to Hush 2 will be featured in Justice League Unlimited #1 in November.

The initial Batman: Hush introduced the enigmatic masked villain, who was later identified as Bruce Wayne's childhood companion, Tommy Elliot. The groundwork for this sequel was laid with the 2022 launch of Batman: Hush 20th Anniversary Edition, which includes a new epilogue that leaves the fate of Hush open-ended.

This marks another instance where Loeb revisits a classic Batman storyline from his past. Recently, DC published Batman: The Long Halloween - The Last Halloween, concluding the Long Halloween trilogy.

Regarding Vertigo, the storied imprint is being revived five years after its discontinuation. The renewed Vertigo will cater to adult audiences with high-quality comics. Unlike the DC Black Label, which focuses on mature interpretations of established DC characters, Vertigo will prioritize original creator-driven content. The first offering under this revitalized banner will be a reprint of The Nice House on the Sea by James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno.

The panel also revealed that James Gunn's Peacemaker series will inspire a comic book spinoff. Peacemaker Presents: The Vigilante/Eagly Double Feature! will include a Vigilante tale by Tim Seely and Mitch Gerads, alongside an Eagly story from Rex Ogle and Matteo Lolli. Gunn contributed as a story consultant for this five-issue limited series, set between the first two seasons of the show.

Additionally, attendees got a sneak peek at Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2, the forthcoming sequel to the DC/MonsterVerse crossover. Writer Brian Buccellato and artist Christian Duce will reprise their roles as they explore a narrative where the Justice League ventures into the MonsterVerse, facing adversaries intent on using Titans for sinister purposes. Iconic creatures like Ghidorah, Rodan, and Mothra are set to appear in this new adventure, launching in June 2025.

Earlier at NYCC, Marvel announced The Rise of Emperor Doom, a new crossover event in the Marvel Universe scheduled for February 2025. Stay tuned for our comprehensive summary of the latest announcements from NYCC.

John, a dedicated staff writer, contributes insightful pieces. Follow him for more updates.