From spandex and capes to fighting villains and saving the world, we are all familiar with the concept of superheroes. But what’s not often acknowledged is that there is so much storytelling diversity within the genre. Movies like this year’s Superman show that superhero stories can be colorful and family-friendly, but they don’t have to be! Sometimes, superhero stories are straight up dark. So, to celebrate the often eclectic nature of superheroes, let’s take a look at five darker and more mature DC Black Label titles that bend the superhero genre in some interesting ways. Since they’re all a part of the out-of-continuity DC Black Label imprint, these self-contained stories are easy to devour in one sitting. In fact, if you have a friend who’s just getting into comics, send them this list now. You’re welcome. *wink*
 

Wonder Woman: Dead Earth 

Wonder Woman: Dead Earth is a post-apocalyptic story like no other within the DC Universe.

Wonder Woman wakes up centuries in the future to find the Earth has become a nuclear wasteland and she has no memory of how the world ended. When she discovers the last human city, Diana becomes their final hope at surviving the horrendous monsters that roam the planet. As she pieces together the world she left behind, Wonder Woman might discover that she had something to do with the apocalypse. Expect to see some familiar faces and the Amazonians in a completely new light! 

Wonder Woman: Dead Earth perfectly blends sci-fi and fantasy in this genre-bending, self-contained miniseries that’s collected into one volume. It’s also very bingeable—at least, if you ask me! Dead Earth is good for current and newer DC fans!

Story and Art by Daniel Warren Johnson (Do a Powerbomb)
Colors by Mike Spicer (The Moon is Following Us)
Letters by Rus Wooton (Invincible)
 

Aquaman: Andromeda

You have never seen Aquaman like this before! If you're not too familiar with Arthur Curry, or aren't the biggest fan of the character, trust me, you’re still going to want to read this one. Aquaman: Andromeda is cosmic-nautical horror at its finest.

Since the beginning of space exploration, nations have needed a place to safely crash decommissioned spacecraft and satellites. The place they chose is Point Nemo, known as the spaceship graveyard. It’s deep beneath the Pacific Ocean and the farthest point from any land on Earth. (This is a real thing!) Aquaman: Andromeda begins when something is discovered at Point Nemo, something not made by man…something that is now waking up. A crew of scientists aboard the experimental submarine Andromeda are sent to explore, and what they discover will change their lives forever…if they survive. Of course, this being an Aquaman book, whatever has landed in Point Nemo has also attracted the pirate Black Manta, and Arthur is hot on his enemy's tail.

Aquaman’s design in this is, pardon the pun, out of this world! Aquaman: Andromeda is another standalone story that’s collected into a single volume. This is a great entry point for newer DC fans because you don't need any context to enjoy it!

Story by Ram V (New Gods)
Art and Colors by Christian Ward (Batman: City of Madness)
Letters by Aditya Bidikar (W0rldtr33)
 

Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity

Are you a fan of true crime podcasts about serial killers? Well, I have the perfect story for you! Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity reimagines the characters of Harley Quinn and the Joker within a dark and gritty noir-like setting that will shake you to your core.

Dr. Harley Quinn is a brilliant forensic scientist and profiler who works with the Gotham City Police Department as a consultant. She’s also still dealing with the trauma of finding her roommate brutally murdered at the hands of Gotham’s own serial killer—the Joker. For five years, the case has remained cold until a string of similar murders begin again. Is the Joker back? Harley’s determination to bring the killer to justice will lead her down a dark path fueled by obsession. How far will she go to take down the Joker? Will Harley lose herself in her quest for vengeance? The story explores the past and present simultaneously as both timelines head for a violent collision. Also, expect some gory and bloody scenes at the hands of the Joker—this one’s not for the faint of heart.

The character designs in Joker/Harley: Criminal Sanity are top caliber and the artwork is incredibly cinematic. Altogether, this is one of the most unique DC comics I have ever read. The eight-issue series has been collected into one volume, and it’s perfect for superhero and non-superhero fans alike.

Story by Kami Garcia (Teen Titans: Raven)
(With assistance from credited psychiatric consultant Dr. Edward Kurz.)
Art by Mico Suayan (Knight Terrors: Nightmare League), Jason Badower (Zero G) and Mike Mayhew (Vampirella)
Colors by Annette Kwok (Titans)
Letters by Richard Starkings (Uncanny X-Men) and Comicraft’s Tyler Smith (Conan the Barbarian)
 

Swamp Thing: Green Hell

It's the end of the world in this Lovecraftian tale of terror!

Earth is almost completely covered in water, and what’s left of humanity has taken refuge on islands that were once mountain tops. The apocalypse is, unsurprisingly, a direct result of humanity taking advantage of the planet and its resources. The parliaments of the Green, the Red and the Rot, god-like elemental entities, have decided the only way to save Earth is to exterminate the problem—ending humankind once and for all and starting fresh. They summon the avatar of chaos, one of the most horrific monsters I’ve seen in a DC comic, to destroy everything in its path. The only thing that can stop it is Swamp Thing, but he’s been dead for decades. If only there were someone powerful enough to bring him back…a magician, perhaps by the name of John Constantine?

This is a thrilling story that explores humanity’s parasitic relationship with the earth through the lens of a gripping apocalypse story. Swamp Thing: Green Hell collects all three issues into one volume and continues the Swamp Thing tradition of deconstructing the superhero genre in timely, thrilling new ways.

Story by Jeff Lemire (Sweet Tooth)
Art by Doug Mahnke (Green Lantern) with additional art by Shawn Moll (She-Hulk)
Colors by David Baron (JLA)
Letters by Steve Wands (Minor Arcana)
 

Resurrection Man: Quantum Karma

This recent existential series explores the meaning of life through the eyes of an immortal.

Mitch Shelley, also known as the Resurrection Man, always resurrects after he dies. How he dies also determines his next superpower—so what happens when Mitch dies from old age? Spoiler alert, he gets the power of time! Every life he has forgotten now fills his head all at once and he finds himself with a new destiny: saving the universe. To do so, Mitch will need to fight both himself and Gashadokuro—the WWII internment camp commander who, though an unspeakable act, has a twisted version of Resurrection Man’s immortality. Resurrection Man: Quantum Karma shows us Mitch’s life through love, war, superheroics and everything in between as he searches for meaning on his quest to save the universe. This often trippy cosmic journey is like no other you have ever read!

Resurrection Man: Quantum Karma is a limited series that collects into one brilliant volume full of incredible Indian and Buddhist lore and mythology that lands in stores next week. The imagery and concepts are unlike any superhero series out there. Each time you read something from it, you’ll discover something new.

Story by Ram V (These Savage Shores)
Art by Amand RK (Blue Book: 1947) and Jackson “Butch” Guice (Marvel Legends)
Colors by Mike Spicer (Transformers)
Letters by Aditka Bidikar (The Department of Truth)
 

Sami DeMonster writes about superheroes, horror and sci-fi for DC.com and reviews comics every week on social media. Follow her at @samidemonster on Instagram and Substack.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Sami DeMonster and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.