DC’s Gotham Academy returns. Dynamite signs with Simon & Schuster. Larry Hama has written a G.I. Joe silent sequel.
SUBSCRIBE ON RSS, APPLE, SPOTIFY, OR THE APP OF YOUR CHOICE. FOLLOW US ON BLUESKY, INSTAGRAM, TIKTOK, AND FACEBOOK. SUPPORT OUR SHOWS ON PATREON.
Powered by RedCircle
Episode Transcript:
Gotham Academy returns.
Dynamite signs with Simon & Schuster.
Larry Hama delivers silent sequel.
This is Comic Book Club News for July 16, 2025.
Gotham Academy Returns To DC Comics:
School is bat in session this October, as DC Comics has announced Gotham Academy: First Year, a new six-issue miniseries reuniting the original creative team of Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl, and Becky Cloonan.
Set at the most prestigious prep school in Gotham City, Marco Ferrari will take over interior art duties for the series, while Kerschl will provide covers for all six issues. The new story will turn back time to focus on Olive Silverlock’s first year at GA. Olive is a “shy, working-class teen from Gotham’s Narrows” who navigates school life in a world of heroes and villains.
From visits to Arkham Asylum to “surprise appearances from billionaire weirdos,” Gotham Academy First Year will start with a “traumatic event” involving Olive’s mother, which brings both Bruce Wayne and Commissioner Gordon into the fold, before delivering her to Gotham Academy.
Per PR, “Underlying everything, Olive has a problem—and it’s shaped like Gotham’s most famous vigilante: Batman. But how will she process the weight of her past while navigating school politics, unexpected friendships, and a growing connection to Gotham’s darker mysteries? Who will she share her first kiss with? And why is everyone obsessed with… maps? What’s with these rich kids? Does Gotham Academy have a cartography class??”
Gotham Academy: First Year #1 will hit stores on October 1, 2025. In addition, after the end of the series, it will be collected into a Young Adult graphic novel edition which will hit stores on August 4, 2026.
Dynamite Signs With Simon & Schuster:
In the midst of a heated battle with the bankrupt Diamond Comics Distributors, Dynamite Entertainment has signed an ongoing distribution deal with Simon & Schuster.
Dynamite will join Image Comics, Oni Press and others at S&S — and to be clear, this deal is for trade publications in the book market, not monthly comics in comic book shops. Meaning the issues inherent with Diamond still exist, at least until today, when Dynamite’s case against Diamond will be heard in court.
While Simon & Schuster will distribute books to Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million, and more, Direct Market (i.e., comic book retailers) distribution of Dynamite product will continue to be handled by Lunar Distribution, Universal Distribution, and Diamond UK.
Larry Hama Writes G.I. Joe Silent Issue Sequel:
Back in G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #21, Larry Hama delivered a classic with a “Silent Interlude” issue, providing no dialogue but plenty of action. And now, 300 issues later, Hama is doing it again in G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #321.
Said Hama via press release, “This is another all-silent issue featuring the return of the sound-weaponizing characters introduced in GI JOE ORIGINS #19. They have developed an air-portable version of their sonic weapon and have mounted it in a stealth dirigible to attack the GI Joe installation under Camp Greer in the Utah desert. Snake-Eyes and Dawn Moreno having been at the sound-proof range in the lowest level of the Pit, are the only Joes unaffected, and must attack the airship by themselves.”
Alongside artist Chris Mooneyham, the issue also features covers by Andy Kubert. G.I. JOE: A Real American Hero #321 will hit stores on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.
For Comic Book Club News, I’m Alex Zalben. Bat in session, get it? Like back in– you know what, never mind.
Got tips or stories you’d like us to cover? Email us at comicbookclublive@gmail.com.
For more comic book news, reviews, and interviews, check out comicbookclublive.com.
Listen early and ad-free on Patreon.com/comicbookclub.
Discover more from Comic Book Club
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.