If you click on a link and make a purchase we may receive a small commission. Read our editorial policy.

Mortal Kombat collides with the DC Universe in February 2026's DC K.O. special issue

Sub-Zero is going to be part of DC's big DC K.O. event in 2026 - but it's not the first crossover between the classic game and DC

News by Graeme McMillan, Editor

Published on Fri Oct 10 2025

Popverse's top stories

DC K.O. to feature guest stars from Mortal Kombat, The Conjuring, The Boys, and more in 2026
TMNT has created new pizza toppings - lands in Magic: The Gathering
DC to finally let Swamp Thing meet Jesus Christ in new four-part restoration of a cancelled controversial 1989 storyline

DC K.O. is bigger than anyone expected, with the news that the DC event will include cameos from characters outside of the DCU including Vampirella, Homelander from The Boys, and Annabelle the doll — but perhaps the most satisfying surprise was the news that Sub-Zero from Mortal Kombat will be appearing in the event’s February 2026 crossover special.

Sub-Zero’s appearance in the issue was announced during the Jim Lee & Friends panel at New York Comic Con 2025 when the DC publisher and president was joined onstage by none other than Ed Boone, creator of Mortal Kombat.

“We thought it would be really cool to pull in characters from outside the DC multiverse and kind of spice things up,” Lee said about the character’s appearance in the current event. He also joked that fans should look out for the “Death of Sub-Zero Anniversary Special.” At least, we think it was a joke…?

While DC has previously published Mortal Kombat comic books, including 2015’s Mortal Kombat X — and, for that matter, the DC superheroes have previously battled the Mortal Kombat characters in the 2008 video game Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe — this will be the first time a Mortal Kombat character has appeared in DC canon, never mind as part of a major DC comic book event storyline.

That said, Sub-Zero’s entry into the cosmic tournament is a continuation of an important relationship between DC’s big boss and Mortal Kombat. As Jim Lee admitted while talking to Boone, “When I would work all night finishing an issue of whatever I was drawing [until] 6 or 7 in the morning, I would cue up the music from Mortal Kombat.” In fact, he said, he would “dance and draw along” to the music. Look, whatever works when you need it, that’s all we’re saying.

Sub-Zero will appear in an as-yet-untitled DC K.O. special issue in February 2025.

New York Comic Con 2025 will continue through Sunday October 12.

Here's everything you need to enjoy New York Comic Con 2025:

About New York Comic Con

Welcome home, hero. This is your event where you can feel unafraid to geek out. Where you’re accepted and embraced for being yourself, regardless of your cultural background, physical ability, personal identity, or self-expression. Where you can experience the best in pop culture, be inspired, get star struck, treat yourself, and create all of those memories with the people you care about the most.

Dates

Oct 10 - Oct 13

Location

New York City
United States

Visit the event page Buy tickets

Follow Popverse for upcoming event coverage and news

Graeme McMillan: Popverse Editor Graeme McMillan (he/him) has been writing about comics, culture, and comics culture on the internet for close to two decades at this point, which is terrifying to admit. He completely understands if you have problems understanding his accent.