The Philippines is getting its first exclusive DC cover

DC Comics is releasing a Philippine-exclusive variant cover, for the first time in its 91-year history.

The cover is for "Absolute Flash #1," which is part of the Absolute Universe, a reimagining of DC's iconic superheroes. It features Flash from the Absolute Universe speeding through Ayala Avenue during the SuperManila Fan Run, which will be held in real life in Makati this March. He is clutching chicken feet, and had just run past a fishball stall. Beside him is a stray cat.

According to a press release, the Philippine cover variant is penciled by Carlo Pagulayan, widely recognized for designing Warrior Hulk, featured in Thor: Ragnarok. It features inks from Jason Paz and colors from Romulo Fajardo, both of whom have been regular collaborators with DC and Marvel.

The limited cover will be available exclusively to registrants of the SuperManila Fan Run.

Happening on March 16 at Ayala Avenue, the SuperManila Fan Run invites participants to come dressed as their favorite pop culture characters. Registrants can choose to walk, jog, or speed through across four distance categories: 1km, 3km, 5km, and 10km.

The event is organized by the people behind the SuperManila Comic Con.

"The team behind SuperManila wanted a cover that celebrates the unique connections between DC Comics and the Philippines," said SuperManila organizer Ivan Guerrero in a statement. "Few people realize that the city of Manila has appeared in DC Comics for over 80 years, starting with Blackhawk #9 in 1944 and most recently in Absolute Batman #1 in 2024."

Co-organizer Sandy Sansolis said many amazing Filipino artists have worked on past DC variant cover, but "those were always shared editions released in other countries."

"This is the first Philippine-only release for a DC variant cover."

To snag the Philippine-exclusive cover, register for the SuperManila Fan Run at www.supermanila.ph. 

—JCB, GMA Integrated News