In September 2011, DC Comics relaunched their entire line of publications, dubbing the new publishing initiative as The New 52. The relaunch saw DC introduce same-day release of physical comics with digital platforms, as well as characters from the former WildStorm and Vertigo imprints being absorbed into a rebooted DC Universe. The intent was to publish 52 ongoing titles each month across the DC Universe. However, DC has also counted one-shots, miniseries and maxiseries in that number. In subsequent Septembers following the launch, DC has featured unique publishing initiatives to commemorate the relaunch. DC released a total of 93 ongoing titles across multiple "wave" releases, until June 2015, when it discontinued the "New 52" branding. To expand The New 52 universe, DC also released 22 one-shots, 17 miniseries and three maxiseries.
Ongoing series
The New 52 ongoing series are organized under seven different "families," grouping similar characters or themes within the books together. By the release of the October 2013 solicitations, DC was no longer grouping the titles by these families. They instead began releasing one larger solicit, titled "The New 52 Group". However, titles that were not participating in an event for the month, such as "Forever Evil", were still grouped together in the larger solicit by the previous family headings. In September 2014, DC co-publisher Dan DiDio spoke about classifying the titles into the families, saying, "one of the things we did, when we launched the New 52, we broke those classifications up in a way that we were able to draw attention to all the characters. So we put them in groupings so we would be able to promote and help them draw attention in groups. It was never made to be a certain amount different stuff. We always want to have different styles of product... with a lot of characters, we're careful. Things like Frankenstein and Grifter and Voodoo and things of that nature, which were really risky characters and risky chances for us to take, and we're very happy to do them. Even though they didn't work, we knew there was value in those characters... We think they brought a lot of value to the launch. They brought a lot of breadth and depth to the line of books, and a diversity to the line. We didn't want to put them out and then forget about them. It was very important to make sure that they were prominent in other series, and that's why we put them in" other series.
In May 2012, DC cancelled titles from the initial launch (which had been dubbed the "First Wave") and launched new titles, which would become "Second Wave" titles. DC continued to use the "wave" format of introducing new titles, which occasionally corresponded with titles being canceled, to "constantly refresh the line". A "Third Wave" began in September 2012, while the "Fourth Wave" saw titles launching from January 2013 to March 2013. The "Fifth Wave" of new titles took place from May 2013 to July 2013. The first phase of The New 52 concluded in March 2014, at the end of "Forever Evil", with a new phase beginning in April 2014. In June 2015, after the Convergence miniseries, DC no longer used the "New 52" name to brand their books; however the continuity continued. 25 of the titles published before Convergence continued to be published with many of the same creative teams, along with 24 new titles.
"Justice League" These titles feature characters related to the Justice League.
Title Publication dates / Issues Initial creative team Notes / References Aquaman WriterGeoff JohnsPencillerIvan ReisInkerJoe Prado Aquaman and the Others WriterDan JurgensArtistsLan MedinaEd TadeoFeaturing Aquaman, the Operative, Prisoner-Of-War, Ya’wara, and Sky. Captain Atom WriterJ. T. KrulArtistFreddie Williams II DC Universe Presents Various This series, (not to be confused with the Titan Magazines series), presents multi-issue stories about different DC characters, each by a different creative team.Issues 1–5: DeadmanIssues 6–8: Challengers of the UnknownIssues 9–11: Vandal SavageIssue 12: Kid FlashIssue 0: O.M.A.C.; Mister Terrific; Hawk & Dove; Blackhawks; DeadmanIssues 13–16: Black Lightning and Blue DevilIssue 17: ArsenalIssue 18: StarfireIssue 19: Beowulf Earth 2 WriterJames RobinsonPencillerNicola ScottInkerTrevor Scott This series is set on a parallel earth and headlined by the Wonders of the World. The Flash WritersBrian BuccellatoFrancis ManapulArtistFrancis Manapul Focusing on Barry Allen. The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men WritersGail SimoneEthan Van SciverArtistYıldıray Çınar Focusing on Jason Rusch and Ronnie Raymond. The title appearing on the series' cover was changed from The Nuclear Men to The Nuclear Man with issue 13 Green Arrow WriterJ.T. KrulArtistsDavid BaronDan JurgensGeorge PérezDave Wilkins Justice League WriterGeoff JohnsPencillerJim LeeInkerScott Williams The first six issues cover the Justice League's origin that took place five years before the present day, with initial team members Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, and Cyborg.A ten-page Shazam! back-up feature by Johns and artist Gary Frank began with issue 7 and concluded with issue 21, serving as a Shazam!-only story. Justice League 3000 WriterKeith GiffenJM DeMatteisArtistHoward Porter Justice League International WriterDan JurgensPencillerAaron LoprestiInkerMatt Ryan Initial team included Booster Gold, Fire, Ice, Rocket Red (Gavril Ivanovich), Green Lantern, Vixen, August General in Iron, and Godiva. Justice League of America's Vibe WritersAndrew KreisbergGeoff JohnsArtistPete Woods Justice League of America WriterGeoff JohnsArtistDavid Finch Initial team members are Steve Trevor, Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Hawkman, Catwoman, Green Lantern Simon Baz, Stargirl, Katana, and Vibe. Includes a Martian Manhunter back-up feature written by Matt Kindt with art by Scott Clark, starting with issue 2.
The series was intended to be retitled Justice League Canada in 2014, before announcing in January 2014 that it would relaunch as Justice League United in April 2014. Justice League United WriterJeff LemireArtistMike McKoneInitial team members are Animal Man, Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Hawkman, Stargirl, Supergirl, Adam Strange, Alanna, and a new character, Equinox, a Cree teenager from Moose Factory. Her powers stem from the Earth and change with the seasons.
The series was intended to be a retitled version of Justice League of America, known as Justice League Canada, until it was announced in January 2014 that Justice League of America would be relaunched. An extra-size zero issue released in April 2014, followed by the first issue of the series in May 2014. Issues 1–3 were offered with Canadian variant covers, featuring the working title of "Justice League Canada" instead of Justice League United. Katana WriterAnn NocentiArtistAlex Sanchez Spinning out of Justice League of America and Birds of Prey. Mister Terrific WriterEric WallacePencillerGianluca GugliottaInkerWayne Faucher The Savage Hawkman WriterTony DanielArtistPhilip Tan Focusing on Katar Hol under the name of Carter Hall. Secret Origins VariousFocusing on The New 52 beginnings of DC heroes by a rotating creative team depending on the characters covered.Issue 1: Superman; Supergirl; Dick GraysonIssue 2: Batman; Aquaman; StarfireIssue 3: Green Lantern (Hal Jordan); Batwoman; Red RobinIssue 4: Harley Quinn; Green Arrow; Damian WayneIssue 5: Cyborg; Red Hood; MeraIssue 6: Wonder Woman; Deadman; SinestroIssue 7: Huntress; Superboy; The FlashIssue 8: Grayson; Animal Man; KatanaIssue 9: Swamp Thing; Power Girl; Green Lantern (John Stewart)Issue 10: Batgirl; Firestorm; Poison IvyIssue 11: Black Canary; Red Lantern Guy Gardner; John Constantine Wonder Woman WriterBrian AzzarelloArtistCliff Chiang Worlds' Finest WriterPaul LevitzArtistsGeorge PérezKevin Maguire For most of the series, this title starred the Earth 2 versions of Robin and Supergirl (changing their names to Huntress and Power Girl after they were relocated to Earth Prime.)
"Batman" These titles feature Batman and the "Batman Family" of characters.
Title Publication dates / Issues Initial creative team Notes / References Arkham Manor WriterGerry DugganArtistShawn CrystalWayne Manor gets transformed into a new Arkham Asylum. In April 2015, Arkham Manor: Endgame #1 was also published, as a tie-in to the "Batman: Endgame" storyline. Batgirl WriterGail SimonePencillerArdian SyafInkerVicente Cifuentes Focusing on Barbara Gordon, who has retaken the mantle of Batgirl. In March 2015, Batgirl: Endgame #1 was also published, as a tie-in to the "Batman: Endgame" storyline. Batman WriterScott SnyderPencillerGreg CapulloInkerJonathan Glapion Starting with issue 8, a back-up feature was included, written by Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV. Batman: The Dark Knight WritersDavid FinchPaul JenkinsPencillerDavid FinchInkerRichard Friend Batman and Robin WriterPeter J. TomasiPencillerPat GleasonInkerMick Gray Batman, Incorporated WriterGrant MorrisonArtistChris Burnham The series concluded in July 2013, with a final special issue released in August 2013. Batwing WriterJudd WinickArtistBen Oliver Initially focused on David Zavimbe, and later Luke Fox starting with issue 20. The series concluded in August 2014, with a "The New 52: Futures End" one-shot releasing in September 2014. Batwoman WritersJ. H. Williams IIIW. Haden BlackmanArtistJ. H. Williams III Birds of Prey WriterDuane SwierczynskiArtistJesús Saíz Initial team included Black Canary, Batgirl, Starling, Katana and Poison Ivy. The series concluded in August 2014, with a "The New 52: Futures End" one-shot releasing in September 2014. Catwoman WriterJudd WinickArtistGuillem March Detective Comics WriterTony S. DanielPencillerTony S. DanielInkerRyan Winn In March 2015, Detective Comics: Endgame #1 was also published, as a tie-in to the "Batman: Endgame" storyline. Gotham Academy WritersBecky CloonanBrandon FletcherArtistKarl KerschlA teen drama set in a preparatory school in Gotham, where Bruce Wayne is a benefactor. In April 2015, Gotham Academy: Endgame #1 was also published, as a tie-in to the "Batman: Endgame" storyline. Gotham by Midnight WritersRay FawkesArtistBen TemplesmithA horror series featuring Detective Jim Corrigan (Spectre) as part of "The Midnight Shift", a division of the Gotham City Police Department which focuses on supernatural occurrences. Grayson WritersTim SeeleyTom KingArtistMikel Janin Examining Dick Grayson's new life as an undercover superspy for Spyral, as he attempts to stay "dead" after the events of Forever Evil. Former CIA agent Tom King is a contributing writer for the series. Harley Quinn WriterAmanda ConnerJimmy PalmiottiArtistChad Hardin The first issue, released as #0, features nineteen different artists, with Harley breaking the fourth wall, critiquing each of them. One of the artists, Chad Hardin, was announced as the series ongoing artist in September 2013. Nightwing WriterKyle HigginsPencillerEddy BarrowsInkerJP Mayer Focusing on Dick Grayson. Red Hood and the Outlaws WriterScott LobdellArtistKenneth Rocafort Focusing on Jason Todd, Roy Harper and Starfire. Talon WritersScott SnyderJames Tynion IVArtistGuillem March Spinning off from the "Night of the Owls" storyline in Batman, it focuses on the former Talon Calvin Rose.
"Superman" These titles feature Superman and the "Superman Family" of characters.
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