DC Comics just announced the highly anticipated return of Gotham Academy with a new six-issue comic series titled Gotham Academy: First Year! Get ready to pack your bags (and maybe some batarangs) because this beloved school of secrets and spooky happenings is opening its doors once again on October 1, 2025.
Gotham Academy‘s original creative team, Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl, and Becky Cloonan, are all returning, much to the delight of the series’ fans. They’re joined by new interior artist Marco Ferrari, who’s sure to bring even more atmosphere to the academy’s haunted halls. Karl Kerschl will also return to create the main covers, ensuring the art will be stunning. Brenden Fletcher shared his excitement, saying, “It’s a joy to be back with the original team, and to welcome the incredibly talented Marco Ferrari to the fold.”
Gotham Academy: First Year isn’t just a continuation; it’s a deep dive into the past! This new series takes us back to Olive Silverlock’s pivotal first year at Gotham Academy, exploring the mysterious summer that set everything in motion. We’ll see Olive, a shy, working-class teen from Gotham’s Narrows, as she navigates a new school after a traumatic event involving her mother. Commissioner Gordon and Bruce Wayne even make an appearance at her arrival!
Fletcher teased that the series will introduce one of Batman’s most iconic villains to the Gotham Academy world for the very first time. You can expect plenty of visits to Arkham Asylum and surprising guest stars. Olive’s journey will offer a unique perspective on Gotham, as she finds herself as wary of its heroes as she is of its villains.
As Olive tries to adapt to her new life at this prestigious prep school, she’ll face typical school challenges like cliques and secrets, but with a distinct Gotham twist. How will she deal with her past, build unexpected friendships, and navigate a growing connection to Gotham’s darker mysteries? And yes, there’s even a curious mention of maps and what’s up with these rich kids and their cartography obsession!
This series is perfect for both long-time fans eager to revisit the characters and new readers looking for a fresh, engaging take on the Bat-mythos.
Mark your calendars! Gotham Academy: First Year #1 hits comic shops on October 1, 2025, exactly 11 years to the day since the original series debuted.
- Written by: Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl, and Becky Cloonan
- Art by: Marco Ferrari (with colors by Eva de la Cruz and letters by Steve Wands)
- Main cover by: Karl Kerschl
- Variant covers by: Dustin Nguyen and Sweeney Boo
- Price: $4.99 US
If you’re new to the world of Gotham Academy or just want a refresher, the original collected edition is still available wherever books are sold. It’s a fantastic teen drama full of mystery, humor, and heart, set against the backdrop of Batman’s Gotham.
So, are you ready to enroll in Gotham Academy once more? Let us know in the comments if you’re excited for Olive’s return!
