DC Next Level Expands: 5 New Series Announced at SDCC 2026

DC Comics used San Diego Comic-Con 2026 to push its DC Next Level initiative even further, revealing a new wave of creator-driven series that will expand the DC Universe this fall and beyond.

The latest announcements spotlight five major titles: Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death, The Demon, Vixen, Static, and Shadow of the Bat. Together, the lineup shows DC leaning into bold genre swings, fan-favorite characters, and major creative voices as the publisher continues building out the next phase of DC All In.

For readers following DC’s latest publishing push, this is another major step after earlier DC Next Level reveals brought new attention to characters across the publisher’s main universe and Absolute universe.

DC Next Level Heads Into Fall With New Series

The latest DC Next Level wave includes a strong mix of horror, Western, street-level superhero action, and legacy character storytelling.

The newly highlighted titles include:

Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death by Michael Walsh
The Demon by James Harren, Dave Stewart, and Clayton Cowles
Vixen by Stephanie Williams and Khary Randolph
Static by Cody Ziglar and Diego Olortegui
Shadow of the Bat by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodríguez

The announcements continue DC’s push toward creator-driven #1 issues and new entry points for readers. For fans who want to keep up with the broader DC Comics lineup, this Next Level banner is quickly becoming one of the publisher’s most important initiatives.

Additional DC Next Level titles, creative teams, and storylines are expected to be revealed in the months ahead as DC builds toward a landmark year of storytelling across the DC Universe.

Jonah Hex Returns in Folk-Horror Western Series

One of the biggest reveals from the latest wave is Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death, a six-issue series written and illustrated by Michael Walsh.

DC describes the new series as a folk-horror Western set during the dying days of the Wild West. Jonah Hex is living a quiet life in the small town of Ashecott, but that peace is shattered when something ancient, evil, and otherworldly begins to infect the town.

The story finds Hex drawn toward a child with mysterious abilities, strange entities surrounding his home, and a possible chance at redemption. Walsh’s work on horror and genre-driven comics makes this a strong fit for a darker Jonah Hex story, especially one that blends frontier grit with supernatural terror.

Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death #1 arrives at local comic book stores on October 7. The debut issue features a main cover by Michael Walsh, with variant covers by Brian Bolland, Julian Totino Tedesco, Javier Rodríguez, and Hayden Sherman.

Pricing includes:

Main Cover: $3.99
Card Stock Variants: $4.99
Foil Variant: $6.99

The Demon Gets a New Next Level Series

DC is also bringing back The Demon in a new series written and illustrated by James Harren, with colors by Dave Stewart and lettering by Clayton Cowles.

The new series follows Jason Blood, who can see the demonic beasts feeding on humanity’s soul. The problem is that Jason is no longer the man he once was. He is wandering the world, haunted by the face of a long-gone wizard and the voice inside him demanding release.

That voice, of course, belongs to Etrigan.

The big question driving the series is whether Jason Blood can protect the world from Hell when he is still struggling to understand the demon bound to his own soul. With Harren writing and drawing the book, The Demon #1 looks positioned as one of DC’s most visually aggressive and horror-driven launches of the fall.

The Demon #1 arrives in local comic book stores on October 7. The debut issue features a main cover by James Harren, with variant covers by Daniel Warren Johnson, Michael Walsh, Hayden Sherman, and John McCrea.

Pricing includes:

Main Cover: $3.99
Card Stock Variants: $4.99
Foil Variant: $6.99

Vixen, Static, and Shadow of the Bat Join the Next Level Line

DC also revealed panel graphics supporting three additional DC Next Level titles announced during SDCC 2026.

Vixen will be handled by writer Stephanie Williams and artist Khary Randolph.

Static will come from writer Cody Ziglar and artist Diego Olortegui.

Shadow of the Bat will feature writer Deniz Camp and artist Javier Rodríguez.

While more story details are still expected, these announcements show DC expanding the Next Level slate beyond one genre or corner of the universe. Vixen brings major heroic energy and global potential. Static adds one of DC’s most important young heroes back into the spotlight. Shadow of the Bat points toward Gotham, legacy, and street-level tension.

For readers tracking SDCC coverage, DC’s Next Level announcements were also highlighted by outside outlets including Comic Watch, while DC has continued rolling out more details through its own official updates.

What DC Next Level Means for Readers

The biggest takeaway from the new announcements is that DC is using the Next Level banner to create fresh entry points around major and underrated characters.

Recent and upcoming titles connected to the initiative include Batwoman, Lobo, Deathstroke: The Terminator, The Fury of Firestorm, Zatanna, Barbara Gordon: Breakout, The Deadman, Jonah Hex, The Demon, Static, Vixen, and Shadow of the Bat.

That kind of range matters. DC is not simply focusing on one corner of the universe. The Next Level slate touches horror, superhero action, Westerns, magic, legacy heroes, and street-level stories. It also gives collectors several new #1 issues to watch heading into the fall.

More DC Next Level Announcements Are Coming

DC has already confirmed that more Next Level titles, creative teams, and storylines will be revealed in the months ahead.

Characters expected to remain part of the larger conversation include Zatanna, Teen Titans, Doom Patrol, Jonah Hex, Deadman, Barbara Gordon, Legion of Super-Heroes, Lobo, Firestorm, The Demon, Deathstroke, Deadshot, and Batwoman.

Upcoming creative names connected to the broader Next Level push include Skottie Young, Joshua Williamson, Amancay Nahuelpan, Daniele Di Nicuolo, Niko Henrichon, DaNi, Kyle Higgins, Jorge Corona, W. Maxwell Prince, Michael Walsh, Javier Rodríguez, Martín Morazzo, Darcy Van Poelgeest, James Harren, Fernando Blanco, Tony Fleecs, Greg Rucka, Rafael De Latorre, Mariko Tamaki, Hayden Sherman, Jamal Campbell, Gerry Duggan, and Jeff Lemire.

That is a deep bench, and it gives DC plenty of room to keep surprising readers.

Final Thoughts

The newest DC Next Level announcements from SDCC 2026 give fans plenty to watch this fall.

Jonah Hex and the Shadow of Death brings folk horror to the fading frontier. The Demon gives Jason Blood and Etrigan a monstrous new spotlight. Vixen, Static, and Shadow of the Bat add even more range to the initiative with strong creative teams and major fan interest.

For collectors, these are the kinds of launches worth locking in early at your local comic shop. Between new #1 issues, variant covers, and major creative teams, DC’s Next Level line is becoming one of the most important areas of the publisher’s 2026 comic book slate.

For the latest official updates, fans can follow DC on social media, visit dc.com, or explore new comics through DC Universe Infinite.