5 Best Starting Points for DC Next Level

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DC Comics is entering a fresh chapter, moving beyond its ‘All In’ era with a new initiative called ‘Next Level.’ Following the end of the Absolute Power storyline in 2024, DC launched ‘All In,’ which quickly became one of its most successful projects in recent years. A key to its success was how accessible it made comics for new readers – both new titles were released and existing series were designed to be easy to pick up at any point.

Now that the DC K.O. event is over, DC Comics is moving into the next phase of its publishing initiative, called DC Next Level. Just like before with All In, many of the ongoing comic series have been designed to be accessible to new readers. You can jump into several popular titles at almost any issue – whether it’s issue #15 or #36 – and still easily follow the story. From Poison Ivy’s challenges as mayor of Gotham to the newest version of the Titans team, there are great places to start reading with DC Next Level.

5. Emperor Aquaman #15

The comic Aquaman recently received a major update, relaunching as Emperor Aquaman with issue fifteen, though the writers and artists – Jeremy Adams and John Timms – remain the same. This new arc concludes some existing storylines while also launching an exciting new path for Aquaman. Having returned from the Omega Tournament, Arthur Curry realizes simply protecting Earth’s oceans isn’t enough, so he embarks on a mission to safeguard all the waters throughout the DC Universe!

4. Poison Ivy #42

G. Willow Wilson is taking Poison Ivy in a thrilling new direction. In Poison Ivy #42, we jump ahead in time to discover Ivy has become the unexpected Mayor of Gotham City! The story doesn’t yet explain how she achieved this, but she’s eager to finally implement the big changes she’s envisioned for Gotham for years. It’s a surprising twist, and makes this series stand out as one of the most original concepts in DC’s current lineup.

3. New Titans #33

A new creative team – Tate Brombal and Sami Basri – is now leading the Titans comic series, recently relaunched as New Titans. Even if you haven’t followed the Titans for a while, this is a great place to jump back in – the team does a fantastic job of making it easy to understand. The story begins with the Titans feeling stuck in a cycle of repeating old patterns, battling familiar enemies and dealing with the same issues. However, Nightwing soon realizes there’s a dark reason behind this repetition. I won’t give away any spoilers, but this issue is a perfect introduction to the current storyline.

2. The Flash #31

Like New Titans, The Flash has a new creative team – Ryan North and Gavin Guidry are now in charge. This new direction moves away from the large-scale, cosmic stories of the previous run and focuses on a more grounded and darkly funny narrative. The story centers around a dangerous social media trend where people are risking their lives hoping the Flash will save them for a reward. While that’s a compelling idea, what really stands out is the return of the “Flash Facts,” which Ryan North seems perfectly suited to write.

1. Superman #36

Joshua Williamson and Dan Mora continue their work on the Superman comic, but with Superman absent after the DC K.O. storyline, they’ve found an interesting way to keep the series going: by focusing on Superboy-Prime! He’s determined to prove he’s changed and wants to be Metropolis’s new hero. This issue feels like a great place to start reading, especially because the idea of a Superman who actively comments on the world of DC Comics is incredibly fun and unique.

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2026-04-11 17:41