WithDC Comics' 100th anniversary set to arrive in 2035, and the fast-approaching public domain status ofSupermanandBatman, the publisher is kicking off the countdown in a big way at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. To mark the beginning of this historic lead-up, DC has announced a major anniversary campaign that will unfold over the next decade, starting with an event fans won’t want to miss.
…this limited-edition Daily Planet will also include first looks at some of DC’s most anticipated upcoming titles…
As manyBatman and Superman fans know, along with opportunistic creatives and entrepreneurs,DC Comics is set to lose copyright to two of its most iconic and defining characters.The Man of Steel will enter the public domain in 2034, followed by the Dark Knight in 2035. Other major figures such as Wonder Woman, the Joker, and more are expected to follow shortly after.
Once these characters become public domain, anyone, including companies like Marvel, will be able to use them freelywithout fear of legal consequences. Rather than worrying about having to share these heroes with the world, DC is choosing to embrace the moment as a celebration.
San Diego Comic-Con 2025 Booth Will Spotlight the Golden Age and Kick Off a Yearly Tribute to Every Era
To kick off this celebration as it enters the final decade of its first 100 years, DC Comics has announced that its booth at San Diego Comic-Con will have a new, yet familiar, look. The booth will pay tribute to the past while looking toward the future,highlighting every era of DC’s history in 10-year segments, starting with the company’s first decade: 1935 to 1945.
This means fans attending SDCC 2025 can expect theDC booth to feature art, stories, and immersive experiences from the company’s earliest years.This will include the beginnings of DC’s iconic Trinity (Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman) along with other era-defining visuals, characters, and narrative moments.
What may be most exciting about this announcement is that it signals a decade-long anniversary event.Each following year is expected to focus on the next decade in DC’s publishing history.For example, the 2026 booth will showcase 1945 to 1955, the 2027 booth will cover 1955 to 1965, and so on. The celebration is set to conclude in 2034 by highlighting the current era, from 2025 to 2035.
DC’s 2025 SDCC Booth Offers Nostalgic Freebies and a Look Into the Future
Exclusive Daily Planet Newspaper and Major Teasers Highlight a Celebration of DC’s Legacy
DC also teased what fans can expect at its 2025 SDCC booth,inviting attendees to visit the DC newsstand for a free 1940s-style Daily Planet newspaper.This exclusive handout will feature original comic ads pulled directly from DC’s archives that once promoted the heroes and adventures of their time.
Along with its nostalgic appeal, thislimited-edition Daily Planetwill alsoinclude first looks at some of DC’s most anticipated upcoming titles, as well as a full schedule of panels and events taking place during Comic-Con 2025. It is shaping up to be a must-have souvenir for any DC fan attending the convention.
By launching this ten-year celebration, DC is making it clear that the company is not just counting down the days until it loses exclusive rights tocharacters like Superman and Batman. Instead, it is using the opportunity to honor where these heroes came from and how much they have impacted popular culture. AsBatmanandSupermanmove toward the public domain,DCis making sure the world remembers who brought them to life.
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
