At New York Comic Con 2026, DC confirmed a major creative pairing for its flagship Batman anthology: Absolute Batman #26 will feature interior art by Cliff Chiang and a story centered on Barbara Gordon that Snyder describes as near an origin tale. The announcement adds a fresh, character-focused entry to the Absolute line and sets a clear release window early next year.
What DC announced at NYCC
Onstage at the Absolute Universe panel, writer Scott Snyder revealed that the upcoming Absolute Batman installment will spotlight Barbara Gordon, with Chiang handling the artwork. Snyder framed the issue as an intimate, revealing piece about the Bat-family figure, likening it to a “Year One”-style account without offering full plot details.
The issue is scheduled for January 2027, with follow-up scheduling showing Nick Dragotta resuming on Absolute Batman #27 in February 2027. That timetable was presented as the current plan from the panel.
- Title: Absolute Batman #26
- Writer: Scott Snyder
- Artist: Cliff Chiang (interior art confirmed)
- Focus: Barbara Gordon-centric story, described as near a “Year One” treatment
- Release: January 2027 (with #27 by Nick Dragotta following in February)
- Where announced: Absolute Universe panel, New York Comic Con 2026
Chiang and Snyder have intersected before, most often on covers and special variants rather than full interior collaborations. Chiang rose to wider attention through his work on high-profile projects and cover art across genre titles, and his involvement here marks a notable interior assignment on a prestige Batman release.
For readers and collectors, the announcement matters for a few reasons: a Barbara Gordon-focused story in the Absolute format signals a significant, self-contained presentation; Chiang’s visual approach could give the issue a distinct look compared with typical Batman interiors; and the early-2027 release slots make it a near-term item for pull lists and collector calendars.
New York Comic Con 2026 itself is marking its 20th year at the Javits Center with a Coney Island-themed slate of programming and creator panels. The convention remains a major venue for publisher reveals and talent announcements, and this reveal was one of several high-profile DC moments across the weekend.
If you follow Batman continuity or collect deluxe editions, watch for previews and solicitation details from DC in the coming weeks to confirm page counts, credits, and any additional creative contributors.
Credit: Chris Anton
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