DC's Animated Universe Expands
DC Studios Unveils Joker Anime, Absolute Batman Series, and Krypto Show at Annecy Festival
Key Points
Joker: Laugh Riot is directed by Yasuhiro Aoki and produced by Jim Krieg, marking SOLA Entertainment's collaboration with DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation for their first anime series; Aoki brings anime credentials from ChaO and The Lords of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim.
Krypto will receive a new animated series from DC, developed by C.H. Greenblatt, a SpongeBob alumnus, aimed at younger audiences and expanding DC’s animated universe for all ages.
Absolute Batman has sold more than 6 million copies since its 2024 launch, with issue #1 reaching an 11th printing and the line ranking among the top 10 best-selling comics of 2025; the animated adaptation, however, has not yet been attached to any network or streaming service.
Absolute Batman is part of DC’s Absolute Universe publishing initiative, which also includes Absolute Superman, Absolute Wonder Woman, and Absolute Green Lantern.
The festival synopsis reiterates the logline: No manor, no money… all Batman. When you take away the manor, the money, the advantages, what you’re left with is something absolute.
DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation dropped three major announcements at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 25. The headline reveals: an adult animated series based on the smash-hit comic *Absolute Batman*, a Joker anime called *Joker: Laugh Riot*, and a kids' show centered on Superman's dog, Krypto. Animation Magazine reported the showcase was led by DC Studios Co-CEO Peter Safran and Warner Bros. Animation President Sam Register.
The announcements signal a sharp strategic turn for DC. The studio is blending Western superhero storytelling with anime-influenced formats to chase a global audience — and leaning hard on its publishing momentum. *Absolute Batman* has sold more than 6 million copies since launching in October 2024, per Comics Beat.
Absolute Batman Strips Bruce Wayne of His Billions
The biggest reveal was the adult animated adaptation of *Absolute Batman*. Scott Snyder — who writes the comic — will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Nick Dragotta, the book's artist, joins as a producer. Cartoon Brew confirmed the project is in active development, though no network or streaming platform has been attached yet.
The core premise flips the classic Batman formula. Bruce Wayne has no manor, no money, and no Alfred. Snyder described the character as a "working-class hero." The festival logline puts it plainly: "No manor, no money… all Batman. When you take away the manor, the money, the advantages, what you're left with is something absolute." Comic Basics noted the comic's first issue has now hit an 11th printing — a rare feat in modern comics.
Joker Goes Vigilante in DC's First Anime Series
*Joker: Laugh Riot* is DC's first anime series developed under the DC Studios banner. It is produced with SOLA Entertainment — the studio behind *Blade Runner: Black Lotus* — and directed by Yasuhiro Aoki. Aoki's past credits include *The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim*, giving the project serious anime pedigree.
The plot kicks off with Batman's murder. The Joker, suddenly without his greatest enemy, sets out to hunt down Batman's killer. Critics are already calling it a "Joker going John Wick" story, per Bleeding Cool. Aoki said the series digs into the Joker's "existential crisis" in a world without his adversary. Sam Register called the collaboration with the Japanese studio "trailblazing."
Krypto Series Targets Younger DC Fans
The third project is a *Krypto* animated series aimed at kids. C.H. Greenblatt — a veteran of *SpongeBob SquarePants* and *Chowder* — is executive producing the show. TheWrap reported Greenblatt described it as a "comedy-focused" series where the Super-Dog accidentally joins a neighborhood criminal gang.
The Krypto show rounds out DC's push to build an animated universe for all age groups. One project targets kids. One targets adults. And the Joker anime goes after a global, anime-fluent audience. None of the three has a streaming home yet, which Variety noted sets up a potential bidding war between Max, Netflix, and Prime Video.
A Publishing Juggernaut Drives the TV Push
These adaptations are riding a massive wave of comic sales. The Absolute Universe launched in October 2024 with *Absolute Batman #1*, which became the best-selling comic of that year. By the end of 2025, the full Absolute line had moved 8.2 million units, per The Hollywood Reporter. The line ranked among the top 10 best-selling comics of 2025.
The Absolute Universe also includes *Absolute Superman*, *Absolute Wonder Woman*, and *Absolute Green Lantern*. In February 2026, DC VP Nancy Spears confirmed that DC had overtaken Marvel in market share for the first time in the 21st century, according to Popverse. The animated push appears designed to convert those readers — and millions of new viewers — into a global DC audience.
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