Watchmen 40th anniversary: Quitely, Mora and Mann unveil new art

DC’s November 2026 solicitations include a batch of variant covers marking the 40th anniversary of Watchmen, drawn by a roster of contemporary stars from the comics scene. The move ties fresh visual takes to one of the medium’s most discussed works — and arrives alongside new reprints and continued debate over the property’s ownership.

The new variant lineup

Across DC’s solicits, several flagship and legacy series will carry anniversary variants. The covers pair mainstream DC books with reinterpretations by high-profile illustrators, giving collectors a clear list to watch for when preorders open.

• LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #3 — cover by Rafael Grampa
• BATMAN #15 — cover by Frank Quitely
• NIGHTWING #144 — cover by Nicola Scott
• DETECTIVE COMICS #1115 — cover by Dan Mora
• SUPERMAN #44 — cover by Chris Bachalo
• ACTION COMICS #1104 — cover by Mahmud Asrar
• SUPERGIRL #19 — cover by Gerald Parel
• WONDER WOMAN #39 — cover by Jorge Fornés
• EMPEROR AQUAMAN #23 — cover by Mikel Janin
• JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #25 — cover by Clay Mann
• FLASH #39 — cover by Rafael Albuquerque
• GREEN LANTERN #41 — cover by Dan Hipp

Many of these artists are noted for distinct styles; their contributions turn mainstream issues into collectible nods to a landmark text. For retailers and collectors, variant demand will be a key metric over the coming months.

Reprints and a WIP edition

Alongside the variant program, DC is publishing monthly facsimile editions of the original 12 issues of Watchmen, beginning with issue #1. These facsimiles reproduce the original issues in sequence, aimed at both new readers and fans seeking physical copies of the first run.

DC will also release a WIP (work-in-progress) edition of Watchmen #1 that showcases Dave Gibbons’s original pages at an oversized 11″ × 17″ format, including a new introduction by the artist himself. That presentation highlights the artwork’s production process rather than repackaging the narrative.

Creators, rights and legacy

The commercial rollout arrives amid a long-running dispute between DC and writer Alan Moore. Moore has publicly distanced himself from the work for decades after disagreements over rights and how the property has been licensed and adapted.

Watchmen’s post-publication history includes a 2009 feature film, animated and motion-comic adaptations, a recent television adaptation, and multiple related comic projects. DC’s retention of print and adaptation rights has allowed those projects to proceed without Moore’s participation.

Watchmen remains a singular cultural touchstone: it is the only graphic novel to win a Hugo Award and has appeared on Time magazine’s list of the 100 best novels. That stature helps explain why DC continues to reissue and reframe the material even as debates over creator control persist.

What readers should watch for

For collectors: these anniversary variants are likely to be limited and sought after by fans of both modern cover artists and Watchmen memorabilia. Preorder windows and retailer allocations will determine how widely they circulate.

For the broader comics community, the releases renew questions about how publishers manage landmark properties and how creators are credited and compensated. The combination of high-profile artist covers and new reprint formats ensures Watchmen will stay visible in the marketplace and in cultural conversations this anniversary year.

Expect more details — cover images, final release dates, and ordering codes — to appear in DC’s full solicit listings and on retailer order sheets as November’s schedule rolls out.