DC Comics has announced its plans to celebrate legendary artist, writer and educator Joe Kubert’s 100th birthday in September 2026.
Across a career that spanned generations, Kubert helped define the visual language of comic book storytelling through his groundbreaking work on characters including Sgt. Rock, Hawkman, Enemy Ace, Ragman, Tarzan, and many others. His dynamic artwork, unforgettable covers, and commitment to nurturing future generations of artists through the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art continue to influence comics today.
“At his core, Joe was a storyteller,” writes DC group editor Katie Kubert in the foreword toJoe Kubert: 100 Years – A Life in Covers #1. “Each cover tells a story, without ever having to open up the comic, pulling you in and making you want to know more.”
To honour Kubert’s centennial, DC will publish a series of special releases celebrating his artistry, storytelling, and enduring impact on the medium.
Artists, Family, and Students Unite to Honor Joe Kubert
Leading the celebration is DC Special #5 Facsimile Edition, accompanied by a newly commissioned artist-jam homage cover that brings together members of the Kubert family and acclaimed Kubert School alumni to celebrate Joe Kubert’s enduring influence on generations of comic book artists.
Contributors to the commemorative cover include Adam Kubert, Andy Kubert, Emma Kubert, Jan Duursema, Tom Mandrake, Ron Wagner, Amanda Conner, Rick Veitch, Stephen R. Bissette, Lee Weeks, Ron Randall, Steve Lieber, and colorist Brad Anderson.
Originally curated by Joe Kubert himself, DC Special #5 presents four of the creator’s personal favorite stories and stands as a fitting tribute to an artist whose influence continues to shape the industry decades after his work first appeared on newsstands.
DC Special #5 Facsimile Edition arrives September 16 and features additional foil and blank sketch cover variants celebrating Kubert’s legacy.
100 Years of Iconic Covers
Also arriving in September is Joe Kubert: 100 Years – A Life in Covers, a comic book gallery showcasing some of the most memorable covers from Kubert’s remarkable career.
Spanning multiple decades of DC history, the collection highlights Kubert’s work on titles including The Brave and the Bold, House of Mystery, Sgt. Rock, Ragman, and more, demonstrating the versatility, emotion, and storytelling power that made Kubert one of comics’ most recognizable visual voices.
The one-shot also includes a special foreword by Katie Kubert, offering a personal perspective on her grandfather’s enduring legacy.
“To many readers and fans, he helped shape not only a character, but a feeling…an emotion…and helped blossom a truly life-defining moment in their lives,” shared Kubert. “To me, he is just Grandpa.”
Joe Kubert: 100 Years – A Life in Covers #1 arrives September 16.
Celebrating Sgt. Rock
Rounding out the centennial celebration is Sgt. Rock by Joe Kubert: Deluxe Edition, a hardcover collection spotlighting many of Kubert’s defining stories featuring the character most closely associated with his career.
Presented in fully restored color, the collection showcases Kubert’s mastery of visual storytelling across stories of heroism, sacrifice, and humanity set against the backdrop of war.
Whether depicting battlefield action or quieter character moments, Kubert’s work on Sgt. Rock remains a benchmark for comic book storytelling and continues to inspire readers and creators alike.
Sgt. Rock by Joe Kubert: Deluxe Edition arrives September 15.
A Legacy That Lives On
One hundred years after Joe Kubert’s birth, his influence can still be seen across the comics industry through the artists he inspired, the stories he created, and the generations of creators who followed in his footsteps.
This September, DC invites readers to celebrate the life and work of a creator whose contributions helped shape the history of comics and whose artistic legacy continues to endure.
DC’s Joe Kubert centennial releases will be available this September wherever comics, books, and graphic novels are sold.
