WHAT MADE COMICS NEWS IN 2025: FLZ EDITORIAL
2025 was a year to remember for comics.
The past 12 months have offered up some of the best stories for fans to celebrate each week. Whether its’ been a new line taking the shops by storm or a return to the collectability aspect, there’s been something for everyone this year. As fans, the independent scene is bursting with creative storytelling. “The Big Two” have each had reasons to celebrate. This has helped moved the needle of pop culture to Hollywood and streaming success.
No matter how you want to look at it, Comics in 2025 created an impact. For this editorial, I’m taking a look at 5 stories of the past year that stood out. Let’s discuss!
5. WELCOME TO THE COMIC WORLD OF VEE FRIENDS
Vee FRIENDS IN 2025
One of the fastest growing fandoms in comics is Gary Vaynerchuk’s “Vee Friends”. The over 250 character universe is often compared to being the next Pokémon, Star Wars and/or Marvel Universe. Vaynerchuk and his team has been leading the charge with collectability being a key element along with the message behind it. Their WhatNot streams have been filled with different items to collect ranging from trading cards to pushing into the world of NFTs.
This past year, Vee Friends took to the comic book world in a huge way. They debuted Issue #1 - “The Battle for Balance Begins” in April of 2025. Having comics legendary artist J. Scott Campbell doing the cover, the extremely rare physical copy cause a monster buzz as to what was coming next.
The brand has continued to flourish under D.J. Coffman (Creative Director & Head of Comics & Character Development) along with artists Chris Fason & Katelyn Windels. In the following months, more issues were released. Each sparked a positive reaction amongst fans. Issue #3 created more of an interest in “Blind Bags”, which completely kept covers concealed. With more variant covers, this put more fuel on consumer fire to purchase.
Since this point, fans have also seen major publishers take notice and use blind bags on their books. Coincidence? Maybe but knowing how Vaynerchuk is very ahead of the game on where consumers go, one can see why it’s been easily successful.
Momentum hasn’t stopped heading into the fall of 2025. Veefriends has attended New York Comic Con as a vendor/creator. This past year, they pulled out all the stops with their launching of issues #5-7. Having artists like Jae Lee, Jim Mahfood, & David Mack doing variant covers got fans attention.
Gary also debuted an exclusive VeeFriends comic at the Wal-Mart booth at NYCC as well. If you were in attendance for this convention, it was undeniable the presence of digital shopping like What-Not, Ebay and Wal-Mart had. VeeFriends has been rolling with this the entire year. More fans and outlets are picking up on this and the growth can’t be ignored.
With the line appearing in over 70 Sunday Newspaer comic sections, the unique view of the world through perceptions and emotions continues to flourish. The line just dropped issue #9 with “Kind Warrior” to close out with 10 issues for the year.
Looking ahead, the sky is the limit for this brand and community. Fully expect to see more top creators taking part and driving fans into the various elements of this fandom.
4. independent comics branch out to streaming
SIKTC #1 (BOOM! STUDIOS)
As some have been writing off the MCU and what they have been working on, that hasn’t stopped Hollywood and Streaming from taking notice of the current landscape of comics. One major driver has been the boom of independent publishers cracking into the pop culture avenue. This past year, “Butterfly” debuted on Prime Video. The Boom! Studios adaptation was a hit with viewers but didn’t get the renewal for season 2.
That didn’t detour other outlets for taking a shot on some more mature stories. It was announced that “GRIM”, the smash hit series from Stephanie Phillips & Flaviano for BOOM! was picked up for option at Netflix. No time table is set for the adult-animated series but rest assured, this created an immediate buzz amongst fans. The series just concluded in November of 2025 with its’ issue #25.
Following Grim, “The Woods” and “W0rldtr33” from Tiny Onion have also been optioned for adult adaptation. It is a huge win for James Tynion IV’s imprint but one more property stole the show on this front.
Fans had heard about “Something is Killing The Children” coming to the big and small screen. There was an update on this front with Blumhouse swooping in to develop not only an animated version of the hit series but a live action one as well. This in nothing short of a major score for all involved. SIKTC has been a long standing critic and fan favorite chronicling Erica Slaughter and the Order of St. George. Mark my words, this will be the next Walking Dead in pop culture fans’ eyes. Nobody does slow burn drama better than Tynion IV.
As for what’s next, Marvel and DC have new projects lined up but with the amount of fantastic indie works at the shops, it’s a matter of time until more join the books mentioned.
3. A HOMECOMING MAKING EVERYONE FEEL YOUNG(BLOOD) AGAIN
Youngblood #1 (image comics)
What year is it again? Does it even matter?
YOUNGBLOOD IS BACK HOME!
The initial book that kickstarted the Image Comics revolution in 1992 returned under the publisher’s banner in November of 2025. Rob Liefeld, who left Marvel along with six other legendary creators in that magical year of ‘92, debuted “Youngblood” to the masses. The government fighting team that dabbled in popularity and extreme missions was an instant hit.
Its’ legacy has gone through many winding roads. After extensive time away, Liefeld was reunited with his characters. Taking to Whatnot, Liefeld has been doing big moves there. It was always a wonder when/if the day would come to see him back at Image.
It finally happened and the reactions has been extremely positive. Many have said it was an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia. The series carries with it much of the same winning formula. There is plenty of over the top action. Many fan-favorite characters like Shaft, Badrock and Die-Hard lead the team while other notable names like Supreme have crashed the party.
Creators alike have joined in on the return of the Image Comics Pioneer. There were over 30 variant covers spreading across the Image line to celebrate. Over 30?! Let that number sink in and when was the last time that happened?
The biggest way to take this as a win? Look at the sales numbers:
Both issues #1 and #2 are on multiple printings…and the book was JUST released in November?!
It is a testament to what has been built up over the years. Many fans (like myself) remember when this dropped back in the 90’s. As FLZ member Joey said in his review of issue #2, “It’s like walking back into the comic shop way back when and picking up the original run.”
As for where we go next, that is uncertain. For right now, fans should take note on how longevity and commitment has produced an exciting return. Welcome home indeed.
2. YOU CAN’T SPELL COMICS WITH A.I. vows dc and marvel
One of the most impactful moments of the year happened at NYCC’25. On retailer day (Wed. October 8th), Jim Lee (DC publisher, president and chief creative officer) addressed the crowd with a very clear message. Lee stated while he is in charge, there will be NO A.I supported storytelling and art. This drew a massively positive reaction from all in earshot. Hearing One of the “Big Two” address a concern of fans was a huge relief that carried into the weekend show.
This subject came up during Marvel’s opening panel. Marvel EIC C.B. Cebulski championed Lee’s stance. Cebulski said that A.I. storytelling & art wasn’t welcomed at Marvel. The EIC also spoke of how they have gone to great lengths to detour it. Many Image creators voiced their agreement in Lee’s statement during the “Future of Comics” panel.
A.I. and Comics have never mixed. It is something that has never mixed well. Hearing the Big two lead the charge against it was a massive win for fans. We pay for the books for original creativity. The community is too smart to accept less than quality work. Having that impact is one that many will be monitoring as the growth of platforms using the computer generated grows. Publishers, Creators and readers need to stick to their guns on this stance.
2025 IS AN ABSOLUTE WIN FOR DC COMICS
Absolute Batman #15 (DC Comics)
No matter where you looked at the comic shops, you couldn’t deny the impact that the Absolute Universe has had with fans. Spiraling out of last year’s special, many wondered how the universe would hold up. Their fears were put to rest early in 2025 with a creative spin on a JLA fixture.
“Absolute Martian Manhunter” by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez launched in February. The mind-bending series pushed boundaries with its’ direction and storytelling. It opitimized what the AU is all about. It led the pack with other additions of the line following with Absolute Green Lantern and Absolute Flash. As for the big 3 that started it all. They expanded their imapct to new levels.
“Absolute Superman” by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval (among other guest artists) gave Kal-El fans a heartbreaking version of Smallville while retooling a long-time Batman rogue. Let’s not forget about what version of Brainiac fans were given. It served as an additional compliment to the “Superman” movie release in July.
“Absolute Wonder Woman” by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman continuously stakes a claim for “Best Comic Series”. It won the Eisner for “Best New Series” at this years event. The spectacular story of Diana raised in the darkness of Hell rather than the safety of Themyscira carved its own niche amongst fans.
“Absolute Batman” by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta continued to raise the bar with each issue of the Dark Knight’s new quest for vengeance. The series is not for the squeamish as this Brice Wayne holds nothing back. The match-up against Bane was one of the most brutal in recent memory of any fight. There was nothing off limits on how far events went.
Lurking in the shadows was the villain we had all been waiting to see. “Absolute Evil” gave him a breakout moment, but the Joker really made his name know in Absolute Batman #15 (December 2025). This was one of the years most anticipated books and did not disappoint. Want to talk impact?
According to the Hollywood Reporter, 8.2 MILLION books on the line sold prior to December.
Mic Drop.
As for the regular universe, it did very well on its’ own. This was largely in part to the “DC K.O.” event. Weaved in the “Superman” and “Justice League Unlimited” series, Darkseid’s return to the DCU would come with a greater challenge. Seeing the Heroes and Villains all get involved has provided a wild atmosphere for dream match-ups. The tourney has churned out hit one-shots while having fans guess who will ultimately win.
Let’s not forget a new Batman series by Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez coming off the heels of the long running Chip Zdarsky run. A new Batman series and #1 doesn’t happen too often. Spin-off and other series may. One of which was Batman: Dark Patterns. The early detective stories led by Dan Watters and Hayden Sherman gave all bat books a run for the money. While the series has wrapped up, there’s always hope for a return.
That said, one event made readers check to see if Hell froze over. It was announced for the the first time since 2003 that DC teamed up with Marvel Comics for a crossover event! “Marvel/DC: Deadpool/Batman” started a new wave of dream pairings between universe favorites. With its’ sequel dropping in November, fans won’t have to wait too long for more. A “Superman/Spider-Man” book is on tap for 2026. It injected some good energy into fans wanting to see the unthinkable happen once again. Just please no fan voting for who wins. We all do.
And that’s all 2025 wrote!
2025 gave fans much excitement and memories to enjoy and grow from. No matter what you picked up this past year, you’re supporting a medium that is the foundation of Pop Culture. With some of the early announcements for the new year, there’s even more to be overjoyed to read, talk and celebrate. Isn’t that what comics is all about?
Let me know your thoughts on this year’s biggest events in the comments below. As always, thanks for reading!
