Anticipated Batman Release Canceled as Brian Michael Bendis Rumors Heat Up

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As one of the most prolific writers of the comic book medium in the last 25 years or so, it would be shocking to learn that a highly anticipated release from Brian Michael Bendis would suddenly disappear. However, that appears to be the case with a new trade edition of his own acclaimed Batman title.

According to a report from Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, by Bleeding Cool, DC Comics has cancelled the upcoming release of Batman Universe: The Deluxe Edition. The prematurely defunct publication was a compendium of Bendis' series starring The Dark Knight, which he worked on with artist Nick Derington between 2019 and 2020, and was distributed exclusively in Walmart stores.

Strangely, the hardcover collection of the six-issue story is still available as an upcoming item on various online retialers, including Amazon.com, but, instead of its previously confirmed release date of Feb. 2026, it is listed for publication in the far more distant year of 2079. The news that Batman Universe: The Deluxe Edition was cancelled would come as a disheartening shock to some DC fans, believing that the series, which current Batman writer Matt Fraction called one of the Dark Knight's most wondrous and joyful adventures, was some of the best work that Brian Michael Bendis has done for the publication.

The series tells a story that is quite different from the more grounded detective stories featuring Batman, following The Dark Knight on a pursuit of one of the most vicious and threatening but also overlooked members of his rogues gallery among mainstream audiences, Vandal Savage. The chase takes him on a journey far beyond Gotham City as ancient, cosmic secrets come to light that put the fate of humanity in the hands of the Caped Crusader.

Rumors Suggest Brian Michael Bendis' Return To Marvel

Cover art from Brian Michael Bendis' run of Jessica Jones for Marvel

The cancellation of Batman Universe: The Deluxe Edition has only added fuel to the fire regarding recent speculation over the future of Brian Michael Bendis' career. Bleeding Cool also points out in its report, as it had mentioned in a previous update, that the writer may be returning to Marvel Comics in 2026, based mostly on the fact that the publisher is planning to release trade copies of many of his most notable works that year.

The five-time Eisner Award winner had written for the comic book giant for nearly two decades when he announced in Nov. 2017 on social media that he would be switching over to its biggest competition, DC Comics, and making it his exclusive home. However, in 2021, he turned his focus to Dark Horse, with which he launched a new series called Joy Operations.

During his time at Marvel, Bendis was a key element in the Ultimate Universe (which has room for a revival following the end of Marvel's current Ultimate Universe timeline next year), beginning with his debut title with the company, Ultimate Spider-Man, in 2000. He would go on to be involved in more titles from the imprint, such as Ultimate Fantastic Four and Ultimate X-Men, but would also branch out in other directions, such as with Marvel's adult-oriented MAX imprint and its release of Allias, which served as the basis of the Jessica Jones TV series, as well as the acclaimed House of M storyline from 2005.

There is still no confirmation at the moment as to whether Brian Michael Bendis' return to Marvel is an absolute. However, fans should at least be encouraged to keep their eyes peeled for more of their favorite titles from one of comics' most celebrated living legends.

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