The world of comic books has been ablaze with announcements, bold crossovers, and cosmic adventures as we near the end of July 2025. One of the biggest headlines is Marvel’s “Ultimate Endgame,” a first-ever event in the new Ultimate Universe that promises to reshape this alternate Marvel cosmos. Marvel is teasing an epic showdown for the fate of the entire Ultimate Universe, with more details scheduled for reveal at the much-anticipated Marvel Comics: Ultimate Universe Panel at San Diego Comic-Con. The event features heavyweight creators like Jonathan Hickman and Deniz Camp, and fans are abuzz over the powerful promotional art hinting at dramatic battles and unexpected team-ups.
Meanwhile, Jonathan Hickman is also leading Marvel’s new cosmic war saga, “IMPERIAL.” With issue two now in readers’ hands and the striking cover for the finale already unveiled, the story dives into a galaxy-shaking series of assassinations and intergalactic warfare. The event’s intrigue continues right into a new collection of one-shots—“IMPERIAL WAR”—focused on popular characters such as Black Panther, Planet She-Hulk, Exiles, and Nova. Key players like Hulk, Nova, Shuri, and Star-Lord are at the front lines of cosmic conflict, signaling a wild ride ahead for Marvel’s space-faring heroes.
Crossover news doesn’t end there. Marvel and DC are sending shockwaves through fandom by rolling out superstar variant covers for the highly-anticipated Deadpool/Batman #1. Fans get to see their favorite chaos-bringer team up—or clash—with the Dark Knight, with top talent like Artgerm, Steve McNiven, Peach Momoko, and Terry Dodson crafting sensational new artwork for the launch. These covers capture the imaginative excitement of Marvel/DC matchups, sure to be hot collectibles in the coming weeks.
On the DC Comics side, “The New Gods #8” just hit shelves this week. Written by Ram V, the story delves deep into Highfather’s emotional struggle following recent losses and a search for a fresh beginning for his people. The art in this issue has earned high praise for its vibrant palette and dynamic scenes, even as the story pauses to reflect on themes of regret and leadership. Superman makes a supportive appearance, while villainous threats still lurk in the shadows, with hints of Darkseid’s return keeping readers guessing.
Outside the Big Two, indie publisher Alien Books is making waves with a newly revealed retro logo and a bold slate for 2026, including the buzzed-about sci-fi manga “BADDUCKS” by Toryumon Takeda and a prestige anthology, “X-O Manowar: Black, White & Gold.” This expansion, coupled with growing partnerships and successful Kickstarters, highlights the rise of fresh voices and creative directions in the comics landscape.
For those eager to stay on top of weekly releases, next week’s lineup features Batman #161 and fresh entries from Image and other major publishers, ensuring shelves—and reading lists—are packed. With so many exciting developments, from daring new crossovers to sweeping cosmic crises and breakout indie projects, comic book fans have plenty to celebrate and look forward to as 2025 rolls on.