DC Comics teased at New York Comic Con 2022 that its Milestone line of comics would soon have a major impact on the main DC Universe's future. The Milestone Universe has long been home to some fan-favorite characters, and DC's revamped and refreshed takes on those characters have been taking center stage in the recent Milestone books. Now it looks like those books and stories are about to crash into the DCU-proper in the coming year.
Milestone Comics, first launched in the 1990s to support and amplify underrepresented voices in comics, was relaunched in conjunction with DC Comics in 2021. With fresh takes on iconic '90s characters like Static, Hardware, and the duo Icon and Rocket, the new Milestone line has been met with joy from fans and praise from critics. The Milestone characters are usually at home in their own pocket universe known as the "Dakotaverse," where metahumans, aliens, and vigilantes of all kinds fight for their own justice. Though the original Milestone Universe folded in the mid- to late-1990s, its characters were later integrated into the DCU before the eventual line-wide relaunch of their own distinct universe in 2021.
Now the Dakotaverse and the DC Universe are set to collide once again. In an exciting—if vague—tease at his own NYCC panel, DC publisher Jim Lee said, "You're also going to see the Milestone Universe have a real major impact on the DC Universe next summer and next winter. I can't really divulge too much at this point, but it will be sort of Earth-shattering and mind-blowing and we're really excited to see the clash of these two universes brought together by some of the best talents in the business." Lee and others also revealed new (and more specific) details about upcoming Milestone titles.
The Milestone Universe and the DC Universe Are About to Collide
Along with the Milestone Initiative—a program designed to recruit, develop, and support underrepresented voices at DC—this tease from Jim Lee about the "Earth-shattering" impact Milestone is about to have on the DCU reveals just how dedicated the publisher is to promoting these characters to a wider audience. It also shows DC's commitment to supporting the writers, artists, and other talents developing these comics. In addition to this presumed crossover, Milestone fans can also look forward to the Milestone 30th Anniversary Special, including the two covers included above by Denys Cowan and Nikolas Draper-Ivey, respectively.
Milestone Comics were a revolutionary part of the 1990s comic book industry, and their return has been one of DC's most exciting recent initiatives. Now Milestone and DC Comics fans alike will see just how "mind-blowing" the Milestone line can really be when the two universes clash together next year.
Source: NYCC Jim Lee & Friends Panel, DC