DC Studios Reveals Three New Series With Absolute Batman, Joker: Laugh Riot and Untitled Krypto Show

Warner Bros. Animation and DC expand their creative footprint at Annecy with a slate featuring a working-class Dark Knight and a bold anime venture.

The French town of Annecy, usually known for its serene lake, became the epicentre of comic book buzz this week. At the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation pulled back the curtain on a trio of projects that signal a aggressive shift in how the studio plans to leverage its iconic intellectual property.

The most anticipated of the lot is an animated take on Absolute Batman. Since its 2024 launch, the comic book series has been a commercial juggernaut, moving over six million copies. Fans of the source material will be pleased to know that Scott Snyder, the architect behind the comic's gritty, working-class reimagining of the Caped Crusader, is stepping in as showrunner and executive producer. He will be joined by artist Nick Dragotta, who serves as producer, ensuring that the visual DNA of the comic translates faithfully to the screen.

Beyond the dark streets of Gotham, the studio is taking a stylistic risk with Joker: Laugh Riot. This project marks a significant milestone as it represents the first-ever anime series from DC Studios. While details remain guarded, the title itself suggests a chaotic, high-energy departure from traditional DC animation, aiming to capture a global audience that has shown an insatiable appetite for Japanese-influenced aesthetics.

Rounding out the trio is an untitled Krypto show, helmed by SpongeBob SquarePants alum C.H. Greenblatt. This project shifts the tone toward a younger demographic, focusing on the super-powered canine. The announcement featured high-profile backing, with Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network Studios, appearing alongside DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran to present first looks and creative insights to the festival crowd.

The Bigger Picture: Why It Matters

This announcement is more than just a content dump; it is a calculated diversification strategy. By balancing the grounded, gritty narrative of Absolute Batman with the experimental, international appeal of a Joker anime and the broad, family-friendly reach of a Krypto series, DC is attempting to insulate its brand against shifting viewer preferences.

The move shows that the studio is no longer content with a "one-size-fits-all" approach to its heroes. Instead, they are segmenting their audience—targeting the hardcore comic loyalist, the global animation enthusiast, and the next generation of children simultaneously. By putting established names like Snyder in the driver's seat, DC is betting that creative continuity will be the key to maintaining momentum in an increasingly crowded streaming landscape.