Toggle search
Toggle menu
123
6
5
62.8K
CartoonWiki
Toggle preferences menu
Toggle personal menu
Not logged in
Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits.

DC Black Label

From CartoonWiki
More actions

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox publisher

DC Black Label (also referred to simply as Black Label) is an imprint of American comic book publisher DC Comics consisting of original miniseries and reprints of books previously published under other imprints. The imprint intends to present traditional DC Universe characters for a mature audience with stand-alone Prestige Format series.[1] The first title of the imprint, Batman: Damned, was shipped on September 19, 2018.[2]

Publication history

Single issues of comic books that are issued under the Black Label line will be published in Prestige Format. If a comic book series exceeds a miniseries run length, it will be published in standard format. All series are eventually collected in hardcover format.

Black Label was launched in September 2018. Black Label is designed for writers and artists to create more adult oriented/"edgy" stories, without having to follow the rules of continuity and age ratings.

With the discontinuation of DC's Vertigo imprint, new and current series, as well as reprints of old titles, are being published under the DC Black Label imprint beginning in 2020.[3] Some series reprinted include The Sandman, Fables, Y: The Last Man, The Sleeper, Sweet Tooth, Animal Man, Doom Patrol, Swamp Thing, Watchmen, IZombie, etc. Continuations of Vertigo series are published under the Black Label line, such as Sweet Tooth: The Return and Fables #151 - 162.

Series and continuity

Many series released by DC Black Label focus on characters from the DC Universe, with stories described as darker or more mature, or reinventions of existing characters.

Geoff Johns said that the Black Label stories do not always have to exist outside of the main universe canon. Stories which may not intentionally exist within the main universe upon release can be folded into the main universe dependant on their success or popularity.[4]

Tom King, speaking on the topic of continuity with mainline DC,[5] has said that there are three major categories, based on DC published during the 1980s. Comics in one category have nothing to do with the DC Universe. In the second category are stories which could exist in hypothetical futures of mainstream continuity, such as The Dark Knight Returns, and these stories are set in a hypothetical future in mainstream continuity, which may or may not happen. In the third category are stories which happen with the DCU but aren't taking place with the monthly books that DC publishes, but, like The Killing Joke, might have an impact on it if the writer choose so.

Titles

Comic books
Title Issues Publication date Writer Artist Ref.
Released
Batman: Damned #1–3 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Brian Azzarello Lee Bermejo [6]

[7]

Superman: Year One Template:DTS – Template:DTS Frank Miller John Romita Jr. [8]
Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child #1 Template:DTS Rafael Grampá [9]
Harleen #1–3 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Stjepan Šejić [10]
Batman: Last Knight on Earth Template:DTS – Template:DTS Scott Snyder Greg Capullo [11]
Joker: Killer Smile Template:DTS – Template:DTS Jeff Lemire Andrea Sorrentino [12]
Birds of Prey #1 Template:DTS Brian Azzarello Emanuela Lupacchino [13]
The Last God: Sourcebook Phillip Kennedy Johnson Riccardo Federici [14]
Batman: The Smile Killer Template:DTS Jeff Lemire Andrea Sorrentino [15]
Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity - Secret Files Template:DTS Kami Garcia
Ed Kurz 		David Mack
Jason Badower 		[16]
Wonder Woman: Dead Earth #1–4 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Daniel Warren Johnson [17]
The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage Template:DTS – Template:DTS Jeff Lemire Denys Cowan [12]
The Last God: Songs of Lost Children #1 Template:DTS Dan Watters Steve Beach [18]
Batman: Three Jokers #1–3 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Geoff Johns Jason Fabok [19]
The Last God #1–12 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Phillip Kennedy Johnson Riccardo Federici [20]
Harley Quinn and the Birds of Prey #1–4 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Amanda Conner
Jimmy Palmiotti 		Arthur Adams [21]
Hellblazer: Rise and Fall #1–3 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Tom Taylor Darick Robertson [22]
Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity #1–8 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Kami Garcia Mike Mayhew
Mico Suayan 		[23]
Sweet Tooth: The Return #1–6 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Jeff Lemire [24]
The Other History of the DC Universe #1–5 Template:DTS – Template:DTS John Ridley Giuseppe Camuncoli [25]
American Vampire 1976 #1–10 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Scott Snyder Rafael Albuquerque [26]
Rorschach #1–12 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Tom King Jorge Fornés [27]
Strange Adventures Template:DTS – Template:DTS Mitch Gerads
Evan "Doc" Shaner 		[28]
Batman: Reptilian #1–6 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Garth Ennis Liam Sharp [29]
Batman: The Imposter #1–3 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Mattson Tomlin Andrea Sorrentino [30]
Peacemaker: Disturbing the Peace #1 Template:DTS Garth Ennis Garry Brown [31]
Batman/Catwoman Special Tom King John Paul Leon [32]
Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf in Gotham #1–6 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Bill Willingham Brian Level [33]
Superman vs. Lobo #1–3 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Tim Seeley
Sarah Beattie 		Mirka Andolfo [34]
Suicide Squad: Get Joker! Template:DTS – Template:DTS Brian Azzarello Alex Maleev [35]
Batman/Catwoman #1–12 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Tom King Clay Mann [36]
Suicide Squad: Blaze #1–3 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Simon Spurrier Aaron Campbell [37]
Batman: One Dark Knight Template:DTS – Template:DTS Jock [38]
Tales of the Human Target #1 Template:Dts Tom King Greg Smallwood [39]
Rogues #1–4 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Joshua Williamson Leomacs [40]
Aquaman: Andromeda #1–3 Template:Dts – Template:Dts Ram V Christian Ward [41]
Catwoman: Lonely City #1–4 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Cliff Chiang [42]
The Nice House on the Lake #1–12 Template:DTS – Template:DTS James Tynion IV Álvaro Martínez Bueno [43]
Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons #1–3 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Kelly Sue DeConnick Phil Jimenez
Gene Ha
Nicola Scott 		[44]
Human Target #1–12 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Tom King Greg Smallwood [45]
Swamp Thing: Green Hell #1–3 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Jeff Lemire Doug Mahnke [46]
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #1–7 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Marc Silvestri [47]
The Riddler: Year One #1–6 Template:Dts – Template:Dts Paul Dano Stevan Subic [48]
Peacemaker Tries Hard #1–6 Template:Dts – Template:Dts Kyle Starks Steve Pugh [49]
Danger Street #1–12 Template:Dts – Template:DTS Tom King Jorge Fornés [50]
Waller vs. WildStorm #1–4 Template:Dts – Template:Dts Spencer Ackerman
Evan Narcisse 		Eric Battle [51]
Batman: City of Madness #1–3 Template:Dts - Template:Dts Christian Ward [52]
Fables #1–12 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Bill Willingham Mark Buckingham [33]
The Bat-Man: First Knight #1–3 Template:DTS – May 21, 2024 Dan Jurgens Mike Perkins [53]
The Boy Wonder #1–5 Template:DTS - September 4, 2024 Juni Ba [54]
Zatanna: Bring Down the House #1–5 Template:DTS - October 23, 2024 Mariko Tamaki Javier Rodríguez [55]
Plastic Man No More! #1-4 September 4, 2024 - December 4, 2024 Christopher Cantwell Alex Lins
Publishing
Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1–3 July 25, 2023 – TBD Mark Waid Bryan Hitch [56][57]
Batman: Gargoyle of Gotham #1–4 Template:DTS – TBD Rafael Grampá [58]
The Nice House By The Sea #1–12 July 24, 2024 - TBD James Tynion IV Álvaro Martínez Bueno [59]
Jenny Sparks #1-7 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Tom King Jeff Spokes
Batman: Full Moon #1-4 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Rodney Barnes Stevan Subic
Upcoming
Unproduced
Wonder Woman: Diana's Daughter TBD [44]

Black Label lines

Several lines occur under the Black Label imprint. Each of these Lines are often shared under the same creative umbrella with some sort of connections between each series, whether that be through creative teams, shared universe or even thematically.

The Sandman Universe

Template:Main The line was launched in order to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Neil Gaiman's The Sandman (1989–1996) and for Vertigo's 25th anniversary. The line began in August 2018 with The Sandman Universe being unveiled by creator Neil Gaiman. This line was initially published under the Vertigo label, but DC closed the Vertigo line in January 2020 as part of a reorganization of age-directed imprints. All Sandman Universe titles are currently published under DC Black Label.

Hill House Comics

Template:See also Hill House Comics is a pop-up horror line of comics founded and curated by Joe Hill under DC Black Label. The first title, Basketful of Heads #1, written by Joe Hill, was released on October 30, 2019. There is also a backup story, Sea Dogs, written by Joe Hill in every comic series, with each chapter of this story following the order of when each comic issue under Hill House Comics was released.[60] A Sea Dogs trade paperback was published in a trade paperback format as part of a Hill House Box Set that collected all the backup stories and added additional pages.[61] The latest series in this imprint, Refrigerator Full of Heads was a sequel to the first series released and concluded in April 2022.[62][63]

Hill House Comics
Title Issues Publication date Writer Artist Ref.
Released
Basketful of Heads #1–7 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Joe Hill Leomacs [64]
The Dollhouse Family #1–6 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Mike Carey Peter Gross
Vince Locke
The Low, Low, Woods Template:DTS – Template:DTS Carmen Maria Machado Dani
Daphne Byrne Template:DTS – Template:DTS Laura Marks Kelley Jones
Plunge Template:DTS – Template:DTS Joe Hill Stuart Immonen
Sea Dogs Backup stories October 26, 2021 Joe Hill Dan McDaid [61]
Refrigerator Full of Heads #1–6 Template:DTS – Template:DTS Rio Youers Tom Fowler [65]

Murphyverse

Template:Main By March 2020, following the success of Batman: White Knight (2017–2018) and Batman: Curse of the White Knight (2019–2020), both comics created by Sean Murphy, DC was reportedly interested in creating a mini-imprint centered around Murphy's works.[66] Referred to as the "Murphyverse", the imprint intends to feature limited series set in the shared universe first established in the White Knight series.[67] The main line titles in this universe have been written and drawn by Murphy himself, with spin-offs being written and drawn by other creators.

Collected edition

DC Black Label Reprinted Material

Through DC Black Label a number of series have been reprinted under this label. Be that original titles originally published under DC Vertigo, Wildstorm or titles originally published by DC Comics

Title Material collected Writer Artist Pages Publication date
100 Bullets: Book One (2024 Edition) 100 Bullets #1-19 and a short story from Vertigo: Winter’s Edge #3. Brian Azzarello Eduardo Risso 453 April 2, 2024
100 Bullets: Book Two (2025 Edition) 100 Bullets #20-36 416 April 22, 2025
Animal Man by Grant Morrison and Chaz Truog Compendium #1-26 and a tale from SECRET ORIGINS #39 Grant Morrison Chaz Truog 712 October 1, 2024
Animal Man Omnibus (2022 Edition) August 23, 2022
Batman: White Knight Batman: White Knight #1-8 Sean Murphy 232 October 9, 2018
Bodies Bodies #1-8 Si Spencer Meghan Hetrick, Dean Ormston, Tula Lotay and Phil Winslade 208 October 31, 2023
DC: The New Frontier DC: The New Frontier #1-6 Darwyn Cooke 407 February 19, 2019
DMZ: Compendium One DMZ #1-36 Brian Wood Riccardo Burcchielli 840 March 31, 2020
DMZ: Compendium Two DMZ #37-72 824 January 11, 2022
Fables: Compendium One Fables #1-41, Fables: The Last Castle, A Wolf in the Fold, Fables: 1,001 Nights of Snowfall Bill Willingham Mark Buckingham 1180 October 20, 2020
Fables: Compendium Two Fables #42–82 1402 May 11, 2021
Fables: Compendium Three Fables #83–113; Jack of Fables #33–35, The Literals #1–3, Fables: Werewolves of the Heartland #1, Pinocchio's Army 1094 August 24, 2021
Fables: Compendium Four Fables #114–150 909 December 21, 2021
Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Volume 1 Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters #1-3, Green Arrow #1-50, and a story from Secret Origins #38 Mike Grell 1536 September 1, 2020
Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Volume 2 Green Arrow #51-80, Green Arrow: The Wonder Year #1-4, Shado: Song of the Dragon #1-4, The Brave and the Bold #1-6, Green Arrow Annual #4, 6, 1480 December 28, 2021
iZombie Omnibus (2023 Edition) iZombie #1-28 Chris Roberson Micheal Allred 656 October 24, 2023
Joker: 10th Anniversary Edition Joker 2008 Brian Azzarello Lee Bermejo 144 July 3rd 2019
Luthor 10th Anniversary Edition Lex Luthor: Man of Steel #1-5 144 July 9th, 2019
Saga of the Swamp Thing Box Set Saga of the Swamp Thing Volume #1-6 Alan Moore Stephen Bissette, John Totleben, Rick Veitch and Alfredo Alcalá 1238 December 27, 2021
Scalped Omnibus Volume 1 Scalped #1-29 Jason Aaron R.M. Guera 752 November 12th, 2024
Scalped Omnibus Volume 2 Scalped #30-60 768 February 4th, 2025
Sweet Tooth Compendium Sweet Tooth #1-40 Jeff Lemire 920 June 8th, 2021
The Sleeper Omnibus (2022 Edition) POINT BLANK #1-5, SLEEPER #1-24, COUP D'ETAT: SLEEPER #1 and COUP D'ETAT: AFTERWARD #1 Ed Brubaker Sean Phillips 736 December 27th, 2022
V for Vendetta V for Vendetta #1-10 Alan Moore David Loyd 296 November 17, 2021
Watchmen Watchmen #1-12 Dave Gibbons 414 May 20th, 2019
Y: The Last Man Compendium One Y: The Last Man #1-31 Brian K. Vaughan Pia Guerra 728 November 10, 2020
Y: The Last Man Compendium Two Y: The Last Man #32-60 704 March 8, 2022

DC Black Label Collected

Collected editions
Title Material collected Format Writer Artist Pages Publication date ISBN
Batman: Damned Batman: Damned #1–3 HC Brian Azzarello Lee Bermejo 160 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Superman: Year One Superman: Year One #1–3 HC Frank Miller John Romita Jr. 160 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Harleen Harleen #1–3 HC Stjepan Šejić 160 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Batman: Last Knight on Earth Batman: Last Knight on Earth #1–3 HC Scott Snyder Greg Capullo 184 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Basketful of Heads Basketful of Heads #1–7 HC Joe Hill Leomacs
Dave Stewart 		184 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Joker: Killer Smile Joker: Killer Smile #1–3 and Batman: The Smile Killer #1 HC Jeff Lemire Andrea Sorrentino 160 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child – The Deluxe Edition Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child HC Frank Miller Rafael Grampa 80 Template:ISBNT
John Constantine, Hellblazer Vol. 1: Marks of Woe The Sandman Universe Presents: Hellblazer #1, John Constantine, Hellblazer #1–6, and The Books of Magic #14 HC Simon Spurrier Aaron Campbell 216 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
The Low, Low Woods The Low, Low Woods #1–6 HC Carmen Maria Machado Dani 160 Template:ISBNT
The Dollhouse Family The Dollhouse Family #1–6 HC Mike Carey Peter Gross
Vince Locke 		160 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Daphne Byrne Daphne Byrne #1–6 HC Laura Marks Kelley Jones 160 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Batman: Three Jokers Batman: Three Jokers #1–3 HC Geoff Johns Jason Fabok 160 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Plunge Plunge #1–6 HC Joe Hill Jeremy Wilson 168 Template:ISBNT
The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage The Question: The Deaths of Vic Sage #1–4 HC Jeff Lemire Denys Cowan 200 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Wonder Woman: Dead Earth Wonder Woman: Dead Earth #1–4 HC Daniel Warren Johnson 200 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Harley Quinn & the Birds of Prey: The Hunt for Harley Harley Quinn & the Birds of Prey #1–4 and a story from Harley Quinn Black + White + Red #12 HC Jimmy Palmiotti Amanda Conner 160 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
John Constantine, Hellblazer Vol. 2: The Best Version of You John Constantine, Hellblazer #7–12 HC Simon Spurrier Aaron Campbell 163 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
The Last God: Book I of the Fellspyre Chronicles The Last God #1–12, The Last God: Tales from the Book of Ages #1 and The Last God: Songs of Lost Children #1 HC Phillip Kennedy Johnson Riccardo Federici 448 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Sweet Tooth: The Return Sweet Tooth: The Return #1–6 TP Jeff Lemire 152 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity #1–8 and Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity Secret Files #1 HC Kami Garcia Mico Suayan 304 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
American Vampire 1976 American Vampire 1976 #1–10 HC Scott Snyder Rafael Albuquerque 264 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
The Other History of the DC Universe The Other History of the DC Universe #1–5 HC John Ridley Giuseppe Camuncoli 224 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Rorschach Rorschach #1–12 HC Tom King Jorge Fornés 312 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Strange Adventures Strange Adventures #1–12 HC Mitch Gerads
Evan Shaner 		376 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Batman: The Imposter Batman: The Imposter #1–3 HC Mattson Tomlin Andrea Sorrentino 168 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
The Nice House on the Lake Vol. 1 The Nice House on the Lake #1–6 TP James Tynion IV Alvaro Martinez 200 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf in Gotham Batman vs. Bigby! A Wolf in Gotham #1–6 TP Bill Willingham Brian Level 160 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Batman: Reptilian Batman: Reptilian #1–6 HC Garth Ennis Liam Sharp 160 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Suicide Squad: Get Joker! Suicide Squad: Get Joker! #1–3 HC Brian Azzarello Alex Maleev 160 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Human Target Vol. 1 Human Target #1–6 HC Tom King Greg Smallwood 192 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Batman: One Dark Knight Batman: One Dark Knight #1–3 HC Jock 168 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Rogues Rogues #1–4 HC Joshua Williamson Leomacs 208 Template:DTS
Refrigerator Full of Heads Refrigerator Full of Heads #1–6 HC Rio Youers Tom Fowler 160 Template:DTS
Catwoman: Lonely City Catwoman: Lonely City #1-4 HC Cliff Chiang 208 Template:DTS
Batman/Catwoman Batman/Catwoman #1–12 and Batman/Catwoman Special #1 HC Tom King Clay Mann 272 Template:DTS Template:ISBNT
Suicide Squad: Blaze Suicide Squad: Blaze #1–3 HC Simon Spurrier Aaron Campbell 168
Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons #1-3 HC Kelly Sue DeConnick Phil Jimenez
Gene Ha
Nicola Scott 		232 June 6, 2023 978-1779521354
Swamp Thing: Green Hell Swamp Thing: Green Hell #1-3 HC Jeff Lemire Doug Mahnke 152 August 1, 2023 978-1779517234
Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #1-7 HC Marc Silvestri 208 September 12, 2023 978-1779523105
Aquaman: Andromeda Aquaman: Andromeda #1-3 HC Ram V Christian Ward 176 November 21, 2023 978-1779517333
Waller Vs. Wildstorm Waller Vs. Wildstorm #1-4 HC Spencer Ackerman
Evan Narcisse 		Eric Battle 144 978-1779517517

References

Template:Reflist[68] [69] [70]

External links

Template:DC Comics imprints Template:Warner Bros. Template:Authority control

  1. ↑ Template:Cite news
  2. ↑ Template:Cite news
  3. ↑ Template:Cite news
  4. ↑ Template:Cite web
  5. ↑ Template:Cite web
  6. ↑ Template:Cite web
  7. ↑ Template:Cite news
  8. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  9. ↑ Template:Cite news
  10. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  11. ↑ Template:Cite news
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Template:Cite press release
  13. ↑ Template:Cite news
  14. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  15. ↑ Template:Cite web
  16. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  17. ↑ Template:Cite news
  18. ↑ Template:Cite news
  19. ↑ Template:Cite news
  20. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  21. ↑ Template:Cite web
  22. ↑ Template:Cite web
  23. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  24. ↑ Template:Cite web
  25. ↑ Template:Cite news
  26. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  27. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  28. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  29. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  30. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  31. ↑ Template:Cite web
  32. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Template:Cite press release
  34. ↑ Template:Cite news
  35. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  36. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  37. ↑ Template:Cite news
  38. ↑ Template:Cite web
  39. ↑ Template:Cite web
  40. ↑ Template:Cite news
  41. ↑ Template:Cite web
  42. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  43. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  44. ↑ 44.0 44.1 Template:Cite press release
  45. ↑ Template:Cite press release
  46. ↑ Template:Cite news
  47. ↑ Template:Cite news
  48. ↑ Template:Cite web
  49. ↑ Template:Cite web
  50. ↑ Template:Cite web
  51. ↑ Template:Cite web
  52. ↑ Template:Cite web
  53. ↑ Template:Cite web
  54. ↑ Template:Cite web
  55. ↑ Template:Cite web
  56. ↑ Template:Cite news
  57. ↑ Template:Cite web
  58. ↑ Template:Cite web
  59. ↑ Template:Cite web
  60. ↑ Template:Cite web
  61. ↑ 61.0 61.1 Template:Cite Magazine
  62. ↑ Template:Cite web
  63. ↑ Template:Cite web
  64. ↑ Template:Cite news
  65. ↑ Template:Cite news
  66. ↑ Template:Cite news
  67. ↑ Template:Cite news
  68. ↑ Template:Cite web
  69. ↑ Template:Cite web
  70. ↑ Template:Cite web
Retrieved from "https://cartoonwiki.toonsmag.org/index.php?title=DC_Black_Label&oldid=102574"