DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation made a major splash at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, unveiling three new animated series that expand the studio’s creative horizons. The announcements, made during a joint presentation, include an adaptation of the bestselling Absolute Batman comic, DC’s first-ever anime series Joker: Laugh Riot, and an untitled family-friendly show centered on Superman’s beloved super-dog, Krypto .
The presentation featured Peter Safran, co-chairman and co-CEO of DC Studios, alongside Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation, Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe, and Cartoon Network Studio. They were joined by showrunners and executive producers who offered first looks and creative insights into the ambitious projects, signaling a bold new era for DC animation .
‘Absolute Batman’: The Working-Class Dark Knight
One of the most highly anticipated projects is the animated adaptation of Absolute Batman. The series is currently in development and will be led by Scott Snyder, the acclaimed writer behind the best-selling DC comic book series, who will serve as executive producer and showrunner. Artist Nick Dragotta, who provided the art for the comics, will also join the production as a producer .
The Absolute Batman comic, launched in 2024, has become a cultural phenomenon, selling over six million copies and going into an impressive 11th print run for its first issue. The series is part of DC’s “Absolute Universe” line, which reimagines iconic heroes in a new continuity .
The animated series will adapt this bold reimagining, presenting Batman not as a billionaire playboy, but as a working-class hero. Stripped of his fortune, manor, and traditional advantages, this version of Bruce Wayne must rely on his ingenuity and grit to fight against impossible odds . The series aims to prove a single, good person can change the world even in an era dominated by wealth, power, and corruption .
‘Joker: Laugh Riot’: DC’s First Anime Series
In a groundbreaking move, DC Studios announced its first original anime television series, Joker: Laugh Riot, which has been greenlit for production. The series is being developed in partnership with Sola Entertainment and will be directed by Yasuhiro Aoki, known for his work on The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim .
The series presents a unique and high-concept premise: Batman has been murdered. Without his greatest adversary, the Joker embarks on a violent and ruthless crusade through Gotham City’s underworld to find the killer. However, as his quest for vengeance pushes him closer to vigilantism than villainy, the Joker is forced to confront a terrifying truth—without Batman, he has no purpose and does not know who he is .
The Untitled Krypto Series: A Super-Dog’s Adventures
Rounding out the announcements is a new animated series centered on Krypto, Superman’s super-powered canine companion. The untitled project is being developed by C.H. Greenblatt, an animation veteran known for creating Chowder and working on SpongeBob SquarePants .
The series, aimed at a younger audience, features a comedic and heartwarming premise. While not with his famous owner, Krypto befriends a gang of misfit criminal wannabes who live in his neighborhood. The group soon discovers Krypto is a lovable but destructive force of nature. As they drag him into their poorly planned misadventures, Krypto’s pure and heroic nature slowly begins to redeem the criminals, often against their will .
Expanding the DC Animated Universe
The presentation at Annecy also provided sneak peeks and updates on several other DC projects. Attendees received fresh details on upcoming seasons of established favorites such as Creature Commandos, My Adventures with Superman, and Batman: Caped Crusader. Other titles in development, including Mister Miracle, Starfire, and DC Superpowers, were also highlighted, showcasing the depth of the studio’s animation slate .
Additionally, the Vertigo side of DC was represented with the announcement that Get Jiro, an adaptation of the bestselling graphic novel from the late Anthony Bourdain and Joel Rose, will premiere on Adult Swim in the fall .
With these diverse projects, DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation are clearly investing heavily in the future of animation, catering to both adult audiences and families while exploring new formats and storytelling frontiers.
