DC Studios made one of its biggest animation announcements yet during the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, officially revealing three brand-new animated series: Absolute Batman, Joker: Laugh Riot, and Krypto. The projects were unveiled by DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran alongside Warner Bros. Animation, signaling a major expansion of the studio’s animated slate.
Each series offers a completely different take on the DC Universe, ranging from mature storytelling to family-friendly adventures.
Absolute Batman Brings DC’s Best-Selling Comic to Animation
Perhaps the biggest reveal of the showcase was Absolute Batman, an adult animated adaptation of the hit comic series from Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta.
Rather than following the traditional version of Bruce Wayne, Absolute Batman reimagines the Dark Knight as a working-class hero with none of the wealth, mansion, or high-tech advantages fans have come to expect. The series will adapt the darker, grounded “Absolute Universe” that quickly became one of DC’s biggest publishing successes.
Scott Snyder will serve as executive producer and showrunner, while Nick Dragotta joins the project as a producer. According to DC, the series asks a simple question:
“When you take away the manor, the money, and the advantages… what’s left is Batman.”
Absolute Batman [credit: DC Studios]
Joker: Laugh Riot Gives the Clown Prince His Own Anime
One of the biggest surprises was Joker: Laugh Riot, an adult anime series being produced with Japanese animation studio SOLA Entertainment.
The premise completely flips the traditional Batman/Joker dynamic.
After Batman is murdered, the Joker launches a violent campaign across Gotham’s criminal underworld to hunt down whoever killed his greatest enemy. As his investigation unfolds, Joker begins drifting closer to becoming a vigilante than a villain, forcing him to question who he really is without Batman.
The series will be directed by Yasuhiro Aoki with Jim Krieg serving as executive producer.
It’s one of the boldest concepts DC has announced in years and marks the company’s newest push into anime storytelling.
Joker Laugh Riot [credit: DC Studios]
Krypto Targets a Younger Audience
Balancing the darker projects is Krypto, a family-oriented animated series centered on Superman’s loyal canine companion.
Created by C.H. Greenblatt (Chowder), the show follows Krypto as he accidentally becomes involved with a group of aspiring criminals. Instead of helping them commit crimes, Superman’s best friend gradually teaches the gang how to become better people.
The series appears aimed squarely at younger viewers while maintaining the humor that Greenblatt is known for.
Krypto [DC Studios]
DC Continues Expanding Its Animation Slate
The announcements demonstrate that DC Studios isn’t relying on a single animation style or audience.
Between mature comic adaptations like Absolute Batman, experimental projects like Joker: Laugh Riot, and all-ages shows like Krypto, the studio appears committed to offering something for every kind of DC fan.
With James Gunn and Peter Safran continuing to build DC’s future across film, television, and animation, today’s reveal suggests animation will remain a major pillar of the new DC era.
