Key Points
Absolute Batman, the bestselling comic run, is getting an adult animated TV adaptation.
Joker: Laugh Riot will mark the first DC anime series.
Krypto is also getting a new animated show — this one, kid-friendly.
DC‘s animation future is, shall we say, absolute.
As part of this year’s Annecy International Animation Film Festival, DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation announced three new animated projects, including an adult TV series based on the best-selling Absolute Batman comic run.
In 2024, the comics division launched the Absolute Universe, a new continuity that reimagined classic superheroes as grittier underdogs of a harsher reality.
Writer Scott Snyder and artist Nick Dragotta debuted Absolute Batman, which presented a version of the Dark Knight without the mansion, money, and butler that typically accompany Bruce Wayne. The run featured the work of colorist Frank Martin and letterer Clayton Cowles.
‘Absolute Batman’ issue #1
Credit: DC Comics
Standalone Absolute comics for Wonder Woman and Superman were published alongside Batman, which sold more than 6 million copies. Absolute Batman issue #1 reached an 11th printing, and all Absolute titles ranked among the top 10 bestselling comics of 2025.
Snyder will now serve as executive producer and showrunner of the animated Absolute Batman adaptation, while Dragotta joins as a producer.
An official description of the TV series reads: “Absolute Batman boldly reinvents the Batman mythos for a new generation of fans, reimagining the Dark Knight as a working-class hero up against impossible odds (and the most terrifying foes ever), on a mission to prove that even in an era of wealth, power, and corruption, one good person can change the world.”
‘Absolute Batman’ title treatment
Credit: DC Comics
The logline reiterates, “No manor, no money…all Batman. When you take away the manor, the money, the advantages, what you’re left with is something absolute.”
The second announced project is Joker: Laugh Riot, which marks the first-ever DC anime TV series.
“When Batman is murdered, the Joker launches a ruthless crusade through Gotham’s underworld to find the killer who took away his greatest adversary,” an official synopsis reads. “But as his violent quest for answers pushes him closer towards vigilante than villain, Joker is forced to confront the truth that without Batman, he doesn’t know who he is.”
‘Joker: Laugh Riot’ title treatment
Credit: DC Comics
Also meant for an adult audience, the show hails from executive producer Jim Krieg and director Yasuhuro Aoki.
The sole kid-friendly show among the latest announcements is an untitled Krypto animated show. The news comes after the success of the animated Krypto shorts that launched online across YouTube and social platforms, Krypto Saves the Day!
C. H. Greenblatt leads the charge on the new concept as an executive producer.
“When he’s not hanging out with Superman or Supergirl, Krypto tags along with a gang of misfit criminal wannabes who live down the block, and they soon discover he’s a ball of destructive, lovable energy worse than any of them!” according to the description. “As he follows them into misadventures and poorly laid plans, Krypto’s pure nature slowly ends up redeeming them, whether they want it or not.”
Untitled Krypto animated kids show in the works
Credit: DC Comics
Networks have not been disclosed for any of the shows as of this time.
Peter Safran, the co-CEO of DC Studios with James Gunn, was present at Annecy with the head of Warner Bros. Animation, Sam Register, to deliver the announcements on Thursday.
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Since Safran and Gunn’s leadership of DC Studios, multiple animated works were added to the slate. Those include the Creature Commandos series that kicked off the new DCU, as well as movies Dynamic Duo, Mister Miracle, and the multi-part Batman: Knightfall. They also continue to invest in animated works from the former DC regime, such as My Adventures with Superman (currently airing its third season on AdultSwim’s Toonami block) and the planned My Adventures with Green Lantern spinoff.
Season 2 of Batman: Caped Crusader, featuring Hamish Linklater (Widow’s Bay, Midnight Mass) as the voice of the Caped Crusader, will next arrive on Amazon’s Prime Video platform this July 31.
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