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Yes, it’s true, Stephen Colbert has just been officially canonized in DC Comics lore, thanks to his appearance on an upcoming variant cover, which features Superman sitting at the iconic late night host’s desk for an interview. Notably, Colbert’s introduction into DC lore follows suit with his long-time canon status within the rival Marvel Universe.
Colbert and DC Comics shared a clip from his show on Instagram, in which the host revealed artist Dan Mora’s special variant cover for Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #40, written by Mark Waid, with art by Adrián Gutiérrez, which features a broadly smiling Superman holding up a copy of his new self-help book, alongside a beaming Stephen Colbert.
It is a perfect integration of a pop culture icon into the DC Universe, and while his appearance might be limited to a variant cover for now, this could open the door to a future DC role, on the page, or screen.
No, Seriously, Stephen Colbert Just Joined The DC Universe, Thanks To Superman
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #40, Written By Mark Waid; Art By Adrián Gutiérrez; Colbert Variant Cover By Dan Mora
The Stephen Colbert variant cover for Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #40 is a great piece of crossover media, one which uses the context of the issue’s story, which involves a talk show, as the perfect excuse to include one of the most popular figures in television over the past 20+ years. Dan Mora skillfully captures Colbert’s likeness on the cover, as he smiles and points excitedly at the cover of Superman’s book, in the same way he does with all of his super-famous guests.
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Even as just a throwaway, it is a great, memorable collectible cover, but it isn’t out of left field to think this is only the beginning of Colbert’s DC history. Colbert is a noted comic book fan, and a fictional version of him, based on his Colbert Report persona, has actually appeared in Marvel canon before, going back nearly two decades. So, while this DC appearance is overdue, it doesn’t have to be the last time he appears, even if it is just popping up on an occasional variant cover or in a brief cameo on someone’s TV screen.
Superman And Stephen Colbert Are All Smiles, But Late Night TV Spells Trouble For The Man Of Steel
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #40; Main Cover By Dan Mora
According to the synopsis for Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #40, the heroes’ actual encounter with late-night television won’t be as lighthearted as the interaction between Superman and Stephen Colbert on their variant cover. The synopsis reads:
BRUCE WAYNE AND CLARK KENT IN THE CLUTCHES OF… LATE NIGHT TV?! A menace is loose in Metropolis, but Superman and Batman can’t do anything about it until Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne find a way to escape… a talk show? Will it be up to their friends — Perry White, Lois Lane, Commissioner Gordon, and Alfred Pennyworth — to step in and help save the day?
At this point in the book’s run, readers have come to trust author Mark Waid to deliver fun, engaging team-up adventures between Batman and Superman, and this sounds like no exception. Both heroes have faced seemingly far greater threats before, yet there is a charm to the idea of them trapped in a talk show setting.
Of all the tie-ins Stephen Colbert could have been part of, it is notable that he appears on the cover for World’s Finest, bringing mainstream attention to a classic DC Comics run.
With James Gunn’s Superman promising to reinvent superhero movies, and to reposition the Man of Steel as America’s premiere superhero, there is more focus on DC Comics’ flagship character than there has been in some time. Of all the tie-ins Stephen Colbert could have been part of, it is notable that he appears on the cover for World’s Finest, bringing mainstream attention to a classic DC Comics run, one that would fly under most casual fans’ radars, and hopefully having the tangible effect of leading to new fans picking up the book.
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #40 will be available June 18, 2025 from DC Comics.
Source: Stephen Colbert (Instagram)
“}]] Stephen Colbert joins the DC Comics Universe, at least in a cameo, appearing on an upcoming variant cover interviewing Superman at his iconic desk. Read More