February 2026 is shaping up to be a massive month for DC Comics, offering a fascinating split between high-stakes superhero action and a grim, grounded resurgence of mature storytelling. If you have been waiting for DC to reclaim that gritty, experimental energy of the classic Vertigo era, this is absolutely your month!
The headline event for mature readers is the return of the award-winning juggernaut The Nice House by the Sea #7. James Tynion IV and Álvaro Martínez Bueno are finally kicking open the doors between the Lake House and the Sea House. The stakes here are incredibly personal and brutal; the survivors of the Sea House have realized their only path to survival is to eliminate the “loveable losers” of the Lake House, and, devastatingly, it looks like they have an inside man helping them do it.
Here’s a quick rundown of DC February 2026 Solicitations, what we noticed, and what we think is worth keeping an eye on:
The Return of Mature Horror: Zombies, Noir, and Hitmen
But the “new Vertigo” energy doesn’t stop there. DC is launching a wave of dark, genre-bending titles that look incredibly promising. Bleeding Hearts #1 by Deniz Camp and Stipan Morian flips the zombie script entirely. Instead of mindless eating machines, we are jumping ten years into a zombie-dominated society that has its own culture and language, only for one zombie’s heart to mysteriously start beating again.
If you prefer noir over horror, The Peril of the Brutal Dark introduces Ezra Cain, an archaeologist turned private investigator in 1941 New York, fighting a secret society over a mythological artifact. Rounding out this dark wave is End of Life #1, a hitman dramedy from Kyle Starks and Steve Pugh about an assassin hiding out in his hometown, dealing with a dying father and old flames while trying to keep his head attached to his shoulders.
DC K.O. Event: Boss Battles with Homelander, Sub-Zero, and More
On the complete opposite end of the tonal spectrum, the DC K.O. tournament is barreling toward a chaotic and star-studded conclusion. The concept of the “Boss Battle” is being taken quite literally in DC K.O.: Boss Battle #1. In a move that feels like pure fan-fiction fever dream in the best way possible, the remaining DC fighters have to brawl with characters from outside the publisher to stop Darkseid. We are talking about matchups involving Homelander from The Boys, Mortal Kombat’s Sub-Zero, and even horror icon Annabelle.
It sets the stage for the main event in DC K.O. #4, where the bracket whittles down to the final four. The tie-ins are heavy, too; Knightfight #4 presents a heartbreaking conflict between Bruce Wayne and a version of Damian who actually achieved world peace, while Superman #35 sees the Man of Steel’s allies trying to redeem a corrupted Legion of Super-Heroes.
Absolute Universe Updates: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman
For those invested in the new Absolute Universe, the world-building is getting denser and more dangerous. Absolute Batman #17 sounds like a claustrophobic nightmare, with Scott Snyder and Eric Canete trapping the Dark Knight in a labyrinth of horrors designed by a vengeance-fueled Pamela Isley. Over in Absolute Superman #16, Jason Aaron is expanding the lore by introducing Hawkman to this new reality, and it seems like Carter Hall is here to mentor the young, rough-around-the-edges Clark Kent. Meanwhile, Absolute Wonder Woman is dealing with the fallout of her recent transformation into Medusa, seeking answers from Athena in her Annual while facing a team explicitly designed to take her down in her main book.
Valentine’s Day Specials: Gotham City Sirens and Superman Romance
Romance (and the lack thereof) is a huge theme this month, likely due to the Valentine’s window. The standout here is the Black Label series Sirens: Love Hurts #1. Tini Howard and Babs Tarr are teaming up Catwoman, Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and a reluctant Black Canary for a mystery involving a killer targeting women in Gotham. It’s framed around brunch drama and relationship chaos, with Canary questioning her engagement to Green Arrow.
For a weirder take on romance, Superman: Chains of Love Special #1 pairs Livewire with the Creeper in what is being described as a “wholesome” romance forged in super-villain battle, launching a new media outlet to rival the Daily Planet. Even Hal Jordan isn’t safe from the love bug; Green Lantern #32 is teasing a wedding proposal that could shake up the Corps.
Mainline DC Universe: Key Turning Points for Batman and Nightwing
Finally, the main Batman line is hitting some significant turning points. Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez are continuing their run with Batman #6, where Bruce is juggling a disaster date with an attack by Hugo Strange’s Monster Men. But the emotional heavy hitter might be Batman and Robin #30, which serves as the finale to Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s run. With Scarface, the Quiet Man, and the Penguin all closing in, this looks to be the definitive end to this chapter of the Dynamic Duo’s relationship.
Also, keep an eye on Nightwing #135, as Dan Watters is pulling Dick Grayson into a conflict with the Zanni to save Blüdhaven’s stolen children, a plotline that promises to change the city forever. If you’re looking for a darker take on the dynamic duo, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #48 introduces a twisted change of pace as the story shifts focus to the Crime Syndicate’s own Ultraman and Owlman. And finally, Milestone fans absolutely need to grab The Dakota Incident in New History of the DC Universe: The Dakota Incident #1, which reveals a secret war involving Static and Rocket that sets the stage for their major return to the DCU.
Whether you are here for high-concept horror, multiverse fighting tournaments, or classic superhero soap opera, February is delivering across the board.
Which of these massive storylines is going straight to the top of your reading stack?
