DC Black Label is a brand-new publishing imprint dedicated to giving premier writers and artists the chance to expand on DC’s unrivaled characters with unique, standalone stories set outside DC continuity. The imprint will be DC’s home for classy, collectible superhero stories aimed at mature readers looking to be challenged and surprised as they’re entertained, with an eye for the unique and remarkable. In that regard, each DC Black Label series will have a unique format and a release schedule designed to best serve the story and creative vision, with the first of the previously announced DC Black Label titles set to debut later this year:

BATMAN: DAMNED #1 – September 19, 2018 (bimonthly, three issues)
SUPERMAN: YEAR ONE #1 – November, 2018 (bimonthly, three issues)
THE OTHER HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE #1 – December, 2018 (seven issues)

While the new, upcoming series have gotten fans talking—and all of us here at DC are as excited to read them as you are, so we certainly understand—they’ll also be joined under the banner by some beloved existing titles that represent the DC Black Label spirit and mission. These were Black Label books before there was a Black Label, and can give fans a clearer idea of what to expect from the line as a whole.

The first collected edition out of the gate will be Sean Murphy’s BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT, which recently wrapped up its eight-issue run. With its ruminations on the true meaning of justice and whether Gotham City’s crimefighters may be just as mad as its criminals, Batman: White Knight resonated with fans and critics alike, resulting in one of the most important and thoroughly original Batman comics released in quite some time. A crucial storyline that both redefines the Dark Knight and his cast of characters while taking them on an imaginative and wholly original adventure that wouldn’t be possible within DC Universe continuity, Batman: White Knight will be right at home at DC Black Label when the collected edition is released on October 9^th.

In addition, fans can look forward to several of DC’s most acclaimed and influential comics getting a DC Black Label release as well. Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, Darwyn Cooke’s DC: THE NEW FRONTIER and Mark Waid and Alex Ross’ KINGDOM COME will all soon be released under the imprint. They’ll also be joined by some historic work from legendary artist and writer Frank Miller, whose BATMAN: YEAR ONE and BATMAN: DARK KNIGHT: MASTER RACE will become part of the line as well, timed to the release of his new Superman: Year One series with John Romita, Jr.

In short, it’s a great year to be a fan of smart, genre-pushing comic books. If this is the first time you’re hearing about the new DC Black Label titles, you’ll definitely want to check out our earlier announcement for all the details. But for the rest of you, let us know what you think! Are you excited about the way DC Black Label is shaping up? Will you be grabbing the Batman: White Knight collected edition? Which of the new DC Black Label books are you most excited about? Sound off in the comments below!