Batman, Deadpool Star in Historic Marvel-DC Crossover After 22 Years

The longstanding rivalry between Marvel and DC is taking a backseat as the two comic giants team up for their first crossover since the acclaimed JLA/Avengers in 2003. And who better to headline this exciting new chapter of collaboration than Batman and Deadpool?

As announced by Entertainment Weekly, Marvel and DC are set to release two thrilling one-shot specials featuring the iconic Dark Knight and the irreverent Merc With a Mouth. Marvel will publish Deadpool/Batman #1, crafted by the talented duo of writer Zeb Wells, known for his work on The Amazing Spider-Man, and artist Greg Capullo, renowned for his contributions to Batman. On the other side, DC will launch Batman/Deadpool #1, brought to life by writer Grant Morrison, a Batman legend, and artist Dan Mora, celebrated for his work on Superman/Batman: World's Finest. Both comics will also feature "backup adventures" that bring together additional characters from the vast Marvel and DC Universes.

This landmark project marks the first official Marvel/DC crossover in over two decades, not counting the recent Fortnite's Omniverse event. Historically, the two publishers have collaborated on several crossovers, starting with the groundbreaking Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man in 1976.

"It happens kind of once every generation of readers. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions as to why," says DC's President, Chief Creative Officer, and Publisher Jim Lee in an interview with EW. "The timing has to be right in that you don't want to do these too often. You want them to feel special. It is sort of finding that right moment for both companies to come together because it is complex. There's a lot more coordination, collaboration, approvals that have to be done. And, obviously, from the business side, you're sharing revenue, but it's going to be a big deal. So you want the story, creatively, to warrant the hype of it all."

Marvel Entertainment President Dan Buckley explains the choice of Batman and Deadpool for this crossover: "It just felt like a fun combo. I'll be quite frank. It was nothing more complicated than that. Like, Deadpool hanging out with Batman. There's a lot of levity to be had in there, a lot of fun. And it would also be a little bit uber violent at the same time... Our big thing is we want to do something that is a lot of fun, showcase comics, generate excitement, and bring new readers or lapsed readers back into the industry."

The Top 10 Best Batman Crossovers of All Time

View 11 ImagesDeadpool/Batman #1 is slated for release on September 17, 2025, with Batman/Deadpool #1 following in November. Entertainment Weekly also hints at another set of crossover one-shots planned for 2026, though the characters involved remain a mystery for now.

Which Marvel/DC crossover are you most excited to see next? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don't forget to explore Batman's 10 greatest crossovers of all time.