Milestone’s latest expansion with a sequel to the History of the DC Universe promises to reshape collector experiences as it reintroduces key characters.
Originally launched in 1993, the Milestone Universe was groundbreaking for its commitment to a diverse ethnic representation often missing in mainstream comic book universes. Created by Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, Derek T. Dingle, and Christopher Priest, and published through DC Comics, this universe retained its own continuity, termed the “Dakotaverse,” which derived its name from the fictional midwestern city of Dakota, where many of the early Milestone stories—including Static, Hardware, the Blood Syndicate, Icon, and Rocket—were set. Although Milestone had occasional crossovers with DC, the original line concluded in 1997. A revival began in 2008, leading to a more integrated approach during the 2011 DC relaunch, known as the New 52, though Milestone characters subsequently faded from visibility again. The Milestone Returns initiative in 2020 sought to revive the universe amid societal conversations around race and justice, but the characters have struggled to find a consistent foothold.
Recently, their legacy received renewed attention in the New History Of The DC Universe. This appearance has led to the announcement of a thematic sequel titled New History Of The DC Universe: The Dakota Incident, crafted by an impressive team including Joseph Illidge, Stephanie Williams, Morgan Hampton, Nikolas Draper-Ivey, Carlo Pagulayan, Valentine De Landro, and Edwin Galmon. As the comic book community notes, the DC slate for 2026 includes a concerning lack of black solo superhero comics; Illidge has promised that this new narrative will address many continuity questions and serve as a significant setup for future developments.
Fans and collectors may speculate whether this positions beloved characters like Static Shock for revival, as Illidge hints that the content will pave the way for impactful transformations in the DC landscape. The one-shot The New History Of The DC Universe: The Dakota Incident is scheduled for release on February 25, 2026, marking a crucial milestone for both old fans and new audiences.
NEW HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE: THE DAKOTA INCIDENT #1
Writer: JOSEPH P. ILLIDGE, STEPHANIE WILLIAMS, MORGAN HAMPTON, and NIKOLAS DRAPER-IVEY
Artist: CARLO PAGULAYAN, VALENTINE DE LANDRO, and EDWIN GALMON Cover by DIEGO OLORTEGUI
Variant covers by DENYS COWAN & DAN JURGENS, YASMINE PUTRI, and CARLO PAGULAYAN
Foil variant cover by JOSHUA “SWAY” SWABY
$5.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $6.99 US (card stock)
Spinning out of the pages of New History of the DC Universe, the tale unveils an untold moment in which a murder ignites a full-scale confrontation between Dakota City’s heroes and the U.S. government. As their beloved city becomes a battlefield, Static, Rocket, and their companions must make significant sacrifices to protect their families. The stakes are high, and while heroes may fall, their potential return looms in the future… On Sale: 2/25/26
Based on reporting by https://www.facebook.com/richard.james.johnston. Read the full story at https://bleedingcool.com/comics/milestone-gets-new-history-of-the-dc-universe-sequel-ahead-of-relaunch/.