Coming in January 2026…
DC’s January 2026 solicitations are out and besides the news we’ve already brought you, there’s this groovy development in Batman #5: the debut of… LADY DEATH MAN!
Yep, Death Man, the obscure Bat-villain from the ’60s who’s since become a cult favorite as Lord Death Man, thanks to Jiro Kuwata, Grant Morrison, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, and McFarlane Toys, has given way to a distaff namesake, thanks to writer Matt Fraction and artist Jorge Jimenez.
Gil Kane and Murphy Anderson, released March 1966
Dig the official solicitation info, and many of the variant covers:
Main Jimenez cover
BATMAN #5
Written by MATT FRACTION
Art and cover by JORGE JIMÉNEZ
Variant covers by JIM LEE, JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO, and LEIRIX
Foil variant cover by JORGE JIMÉNEZ
Bat-Gadget variant cover by JORGE JIMÉNEZ
Sweater Weather variant cover by MITCH GERARDS
Lady Death Man design variant by JORGE JIMÉNEZ
1:25 variant cover by DAVID AJA
$4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock) | Variant $7.99 US (foil)
ON SALE 1/7/26
A night out with Bruce Wayne goes off the rails immediately for Dr. Annika Zeller — it seems her experimental Crown of Storms has her marked for death. And if they survive the legendary 000 Gang, they’ll still have to confront the sinister assassin known as Lady Death Man!
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Jimenez design variant
Leirix variant
Julian Totino Tedesco variant
Jimenez Bat-Gadget variant
Aja variant
Who exactly is Lady Death Man, and how is she connected to Lord Death Man? I can tell you this: I CANNOT WAIT TO FIND OUT.
The whole idea is very much in keeping with the tone of this series so far: clever, stylish… and winking.
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MORE
— 13 REASONS to Love Cult-Fave BATMAN Villain (LORD) DEATH MAN. Click here.
— DC Adds FIVE MORE Facsimile Editions to January 2026 Lineup. Click here.
October 24, 2025
I wonder what Brian Pulido will think of the name!
October 24, 2025
Oh SNAP!
October 24, 2025
…
…ok, I’ll just ask the question: wouldn’t the feminine of Lord Death Man be Lady Death Woman?
(I’m imagining an awkward but consistently-named character called “Batmanwoman.”)
October 24, 2025
I think they’re paying homage to Tarantino’s favorite female character, Lady Snowblood.
October 24, 2025
The issue featuring Death Man’s very first appearance would make a fantastic addition to DC’s facsimile reprints.
October 24, 2025
I know there are people enjoying this new Batman “relaunch”, but I’m personally not a fan.
This was supposed to be a good jumping on point. But so far it seems to be the continuity that just ended. Some characters were in rolls were I had no idea how they got there.
October 24, 2025
Does DC plan on publishing a FACSIMILE EDITION of the original BATMAN #180?
October 24, 2025
Batman 180 was the first Batman magazibe I ever purchased.
October 25, 2025
Randall and I share the same story. I bought from a 7-11 just down the street from my elementary school. Still have it. It’s definitely not in mint condition but I wouldn’t sell it for any price. Well, probably.
October 25, 2025
Lady Death Man got advice on picking her supervillain name from Dr Mrs the Monarch.