
What’s better than revisiting the most surprising moments in DC Comics each year? Now that 2025 has ended, as a big DC fan, I love looking back at the moments that really made people say, “Whoa!” Comics are full of unexpected twists and turns from creative teams, and those moments can be hilarious, shocking, or just plain baffling. Honestly, the moments that really surprise me are often the most memorable.
These moments weren’t necessarily bad, but they certainly surprised people. Some, like Absolute Bane’s violent attacks, were shocking, while others, such as the use of Martian Vision in Absolute Martian Manhunter, were actually really cool. Of course, there were also moments that upset fans, like Batman’s death at the hands of the Joker in DC K.O. But whether fans loved them or hated them, 2025 was full of unexpected twists, and these five moments were the ones everyone was discussing.
5. DC Gives Readers Martian Vision

If you’re looking for a reason to buy physical copies of comics, the Absolute Martian Manhunter series offers a great example of their potential. Several issues this year featured a unique page that revealed a hidden story element when held up to the light, blending images on both sides. This innovative technique generated a lot of buzz and demonstrated how comics creators can truly push the boundaries of the medium.
4. The Batman/Deadpool Crossovers

At the start of 2025, I didn’t expect to see a Marvel and DC crossover anytime soon, as it hadn’t happened in decades. However, that changed with the release of two special crossover issues featuring Batman and Deadpool in September and November. These weren’t the only team-ups either; we also saw characters like Hulk and Harley Quinn, and Green Arrow and Daredevil paired together in additional stories. There was even a quick revisit to the Amalgam Universe with a new character combining Lobo and Wolverine. And, as you’d hope, the Batman/Deadpool comics are incredibly fun and imaginative.
3. Bane Wrecks Absolute Batman’s Friends

It’s tough to choose the most shocking moment from the Absolute Universe, but Bane’s attacks on Batman’s friends were truly unexpected. The brutal injuries he inflicted – breaking Oswald’s bones, burning Harvey, and damaging Eddie’s brain – tragically set them on the path to becoming villains. While we knew something bad might happen to these characters, the way their downfalls unfolded was horrifying and genuinely shocking.
2. Joker Kills Batman

This really upset a lot of fans, and it’s easy to see why. DC had been building anticipation for its DC K.O. tournament for months, letting fans speculate about the participants. But the first issue shocked everyone when Batman was killed by the Joker, who then took his place in the competition. While killing Batman is always a big deal, fans were especially angry because they’d made their tournament predictions assuming Bruce would at least compete in the first round. On the bright side, Batman did get his own separate comic book series afterward.
1. The Harley Quinn Fartacular

It’s safe to say DC Comics released the most bizarre story of the year – maybe even the last ten years! This Harley Quinn comic centers around a fight between Harley and Poison Ivy, sparked by an accidental…well, a fart. And it gets weirder: the comic had a scratch-and-sniff cover that smelled like you’d expect. I’ve read a lot of comics, but Harley using Plastic Man to contain her farts? That’s a new level of strange.
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2026-01-01 22:13