Get ready to buckle up, DC fans, because January 2026 is hitting us with a haymaker! This month’s vibe is pure endgame energy mixed with a healthy dose of big-ticket nostalgia.
January in the DC Universe is going to be massive, packing in not just cosmic tournaments and city-shaking threats, but also some serious turning points for the heroes we love. Beyond the tournament’s knockout punch, the month is full of pivotal character moments. Look forward to Zatanna’s debut in Absolute Wonder Woman, kaiju-sized finale of JL vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2, and more!
Here’s a quick rundown of DC January 2026 Solicitations, what we noticed, and what we think is worth keeping an eye on:
The King Omega Tournament Barrels to the Climax
The main event everyone’s been following, the King Omega Tournament, is sprinting toward its brutal finale, so you know things are getting wild. In DC K.O. #3, the final eight fighters face a desperate “tag-team time” and are put through the ultimate test—a decades-long stay in their own personal hell. Expect high drama as heroes falter, villains celebrate, and the Heart of Apokolips sizes up its next King Omega, leaving only the final four to survive. Meanwhile, in the tournament tie-in DC K.O.: Knightfight #3, Batman is facing his toughest test yet: his own kids! To complete his mission, Bruce Wayne has to fight Jason Todd and Tim Drake, both operating as Batman, in a true student-versus-master showdown.
Then we have a wild cosmic twist in DC K.O.: Green Lantern Galactic Slam #1, where Kyle Rayner, trying to protect his fellow Lanterns, finds himself literally pummeled across the galaxy and into a wrestling federation ring, leading to the debut of the bombastic Omega Bam Man. Finally, poor Jon Kent gets stuck babysitting young sidekicks in DC K.O.: The Kids Are All Fight Special #1. When the young heroes sneak off to stop Granny Goodness, Jon must teach them the ropes, leading to a shocking finale that proves there’s no age requirement to be a superhero.
Core Line Battles: Facing Apokolips and Master Plans
While the tournament rages, the other core titles are dealing with the fallout and major threats. Darkseid’s plan has worked: Earth has been transformed into Apokolips in Superman #34! With the Man of Steel locked in the tournament, readers will find out who is left to defeat the Dark Legion and stop Darkseid’s imminent arrival. The catastrophe continues in Justice League Unlimited #15, where Neron’s master plan is finally revealed, promising to spell the end of heroism on planet Earth as the Terrific Ten are whittled down to a handful of survivors facing “the fires of Hell.”
The planet’s dark transformation has also accelerated in Titans #31, forcing Donna Troy and Roy Harper to stand alone against Darkseid’s forces, including his formidable daughter, Grail. Adding a pivotal time-travel moment to the mix, The Flash #29 sees the Dark Legion chasing Flash and Impulse to a key moment in the Scarlet Speedster’s history: the very instant Barry Allen was struck by lightning.
The Expansive “Absolute” Era and The Bat-Family Heats Up
The Absolute era of books continues to push the boundaries of unique, powerful new stories. Absolute Batman #16 and Absolute Wonder Woman #16 connect for a wild crossover: Batman is on a desperate hunt to help Waylon (Killer Croc) and turns to a god for a cure, which might mean descending into hell. Meanwhile, Wonder Woman kicks off her “Season of the Witch” arc by facing a powerful new foe in Gateway City: Zatanna.
Gotham itself is as busy and dangerous as ever. In Batman #5, Bruce Wayne’s night out goes sideways immediately when a friend with an experimental “Crown of Storms” is marked for death, leading them to a confrontation with the sinister Lady Death Man. The dramatic centerpiece for the month is the penultimate chapter of the current arc in Detective Comics #1105. Here, Batman has sealed himself inside an airtight suit to contain the anti-fear virus, and readers will finally see how dangerous a Dark Knight without fear can truly be. Lastly, in the fun department, Harley Quinn #58 sees Harley in an all-out battle in the sky against Colonel Blimp, a guy who uses a literal zeppelin to crash her party.
Other Must-Read Titles and Collections
Don’t miss a truly strange team-up in Poison Ivy #40 as Ivy, tired of looking over her shoulder, sneaks back into Gotham to meet with Police Commissioner Vandal Savage—a meeting that could spark an explosive new chapter. If you’re looking for a finale, Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2 #7 provides the big one, pitting the heroes and titans against King Ghidorah and Rodan, with the all-important question of whose side Mothra is on being answered. And for fans of the Emerald Knight, Green Lantern #31 features Hal Jordan teaming up with “old pal” Barry Allen to tackle a duo-mystery that will test their trust, their friendship, and possibly Barry’s very life. DC is not messing around in January 2026.
Which of these massive storylines is going straight to the top of your reading stack?
