The legendary rivalry between Marvel and DC is taking a backseat as the two comic giants collaborate on their first crossover since 2003's JLA/Avengers. Leading the charge into this new era of cooperation are none other than Batman and Deadpool, two iconic characters from their respective universes.

As announced by Entertainment Weekly, Marvel and DC are joining forces for a duo of one-shot specials. Marvel will release Deadpool/Batman #1, crafted by writer Zeb Wells (The Amazing Spider-Man) and artist Greg Capullo (Batman). Meanwhile, DC will counter with Batman/Deadpool #1, penned by writer Grant Morrison (Batman) and illustrated by Dan Mora (Superman/Batman: World's Finest). Both issues will feature additional "backup adventures" that blend other characters from the Marvel and DC Universes.

This marks the first major Marvel/DC crossover in over two decades, following the last significant collaboration, 2003's JLA/Avengers. Historically, the two publishers have teamed up for crossovers, starting with 1976's Superman vs. The Amazing Spider-Man.

DC's President, Chief Creative Officer, and Publisher Jim Lee, in an interview with EW, highlighted the rarity of such collaborations: "It happens kind of once every generation of readers. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions as to why. The timing has to be right in that you don't want to do these too often. You want them to feel special. It is sort of finding that right moment for both companies to come together because it is complex. There's a lot more coordination, collaboration, approvals that have to be done. And, obviously, from the business side, you're sharing revenue, but it's going to be a big deal. So you want the story, creatively, to warrant the hype of it all."

Marvel Entertainment President Dan Buckley shared insights on why Batman and Deadpool were chosen for this event: "It just felt like a fun combo. I'll be quite frank. It was nothing more complicated than that. Like, Deadpool hanging out with Batman. There's a lot of levity to be had in there, a lot of fun. And it would also be a little bit uber violent at the same time... Our big thing is we want to do something that is a lot of fun, showcase comics, generate excitement, and bring new readers or lapsed readers back into the industry."

The Top 10 Best Batman Crossovers of All Time

View 11 ImagesDeadpool/Batman #1 is set to hit shelves on September 17, 2025, with Batman/Deadpool #1 following in November. Entertainment Weekly also revealed that Marvel and DC are already planning another set of crossover one-shots for 2026, though the involved characters remain a mystery for now.

Which Marvel/DC crossover are you eager to see next? Share your thoughts in the comments below, and don't miss out on exploring Batman's 10 greatest crossovers of all time.