Challengers of the Unknown

by Christopher Cantwell

The Challengers are back to confront mysteries that defy time, space, and everything we think we know!

The Challengers of the Unknown are back, and this time, the stakes have never been higher. As the mysterious Darkseid shockwave rips through the DC Universe, reality itself begins to unravel. Ace Morgan, June Robbins, Prof Haley, Red Ryan, and Rocky Davis have been called to investigate the Watchtower's cosmic rifts alongside the Justice League. But when a sinister enemy from their past emerges, the team is thrown into a desperate race to seal the fractures that threaten the galaxy. Their odyssey takes them from outer space to the deepest parts of Earth's oceans, where unimaginable dangers await.

Are the Challengers up to the task, or will the unknown prove fatal?

Challengers of the Unknown is not only a crucial revitalization of classic DC characters created by the legendary Jack Kirby, it's also a key companion to flagship series Justice League Unlimited and a major part of DC's bestselling All In initiative!

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes

136 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2025

Reviews

[Colin Post · Rating 3 out of 5]

This won’t really stand apart as a story from the rest of what’s going on in the DC universe right now, but it’s a really solid complement to the JLU book - and seems like it will play some part in future events?

I’m a big Cantwell fan, and he doesn’t disappoint with an intriguing story about heroes on the outskirts of a superpowered team. This also fits with Mark Waid’s current vibe of bringing up fun stuff from DC history.

[Frédéric · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent addition to the All In line, which suffers from a half-baked conclusion.

The plot allows us to get reacquainted with the Challengers, who, let's be realistic, are unknown to most people. It fits well into the new configuration without being revolutionary. On the other hand, it highlights an atmosphere of suspicion and paranoia in the Watchtower. After The Question, it further anchors the prevailing unease. All this tends to rule out reading it out of continuity.

I would have given it an extra half star if the partially open ending hadn't left me unsatisfied.

The artwork is decent, but nothing more.

[MannyLikesPie · Rating 4 out of 5]

First time reading COTU and wow I love it so much, I’m really excited for what they’ll do next. Fantastic four before fantastic four by the same creator hehe

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pesar de la importancia capital como preparación prototípica para cuando Jack Kirby realizase su primer gran trabajo en "la distinguida competencia" con la Primera Familia Fantástica de Marvel Cómics y en sí por ser de los primeros grandes exponentes del concepto de "super formación" que acabaría derivando en la llegada de la Justice League of America. Los Investigadores de lo Desconocido no han tenido la mejor de las suertes editoriales en DC cómics. Si bien han logrado estar presentes a lo largo de las décadas de forma intermitente, nunca han alcanzado un momento ni puesto totalmente relevante en el canon DCita... ¿Cambia esto en el paradigma ALL IN?... Al menos nos ha dado una nueva miniserie de los personajes y que a su manera resulta esencial en la arquitrama del DARKSEID DIOS del Universo Absolute.

El guionista Christopher Cantwell se enfrenta de forma muy ocurrente al desafío de que prácticamente cualquier lector es ajeno a estos personajes. Los cuales han aparecido sin problemas en todo el asunto de la Justice League Unlimited en esa nueva vasta Atalaya donde forman parte clave de los grupos esenciales que ponen en marcha toda la estructura y funciones del lugar. Cantwell ni corto ni perezoso acude a la génesis original de estos personajes para encontrar el núcleo argumental y conceptual de esta miniserie. Estos personajes surgen de un fatídico accidente de avión que debió MATARLES. Pero el sobrevivir a esa "muerte segura", supuso el primer "desafío" a investigar en la materia de lo DESCONOCIDO. Viviendo un "tiempo prestado" estos individuos humanos, comenzaron a toparse y entender lo insólito, mitológico y/o sobrenatural. Y esto ha llevado a que el investigar una serie de anomalías que parecen "irradiadas" por la energía Omega totalmente asociada a Darkseid, descubra que los mismos Investigadores de lo Desconocido podrían estar conectados de forma inconsciente a esta peligrosa fuerza elemental.

La historia de esta miniserie pronto pasa de convertir a los Investigadores de grandes aliados a posibles amenazas. Algo para lo que Mr. Terrific actuará, cómo no, de máxima fuerza antagónica y mostrará un lado menos "amable" de nuestros grandes héroes que de primeras llegan incluso a ponerse otros trajes "customizados" del color de los Investigadores para hacer entender que los mejores entre los mejores de la Liga, actúan como "ayudantes" en estas misiones encomendadas a los Investigadores. Este aspecto, consigue que la historia genere un notable interés para unos personajes que en la mayoría de los lectores deben encontrar y generar una simpatía mínima. Cantwell logra que todos los Investigadores funcionen en sus tramas y tengan algo que decir. Además, está el hecho de que las historias de esta agrupación siempre deberían presentar ese estilo "Twilight Zone" o "Weird Science" que tanto las caracterizó en su día. Por supuesto, lo que en los 60" asombraba, hoy día resulta ingenuo y fantasioso demás. Por lo cual el conseguir modernizar esta narrativa se puede entender que sea uno de los grandes desafíos por los cuales estos personajes suelen quedar más olvidados por la propia editorial. Creo que en los números de esta miniserie, el autor logra cuanto menos un par de buenas tramas individuales en este aspecto. Las cuales igualmente contribuyen a esa narrativa que asocia a los Investigadores a las consecuencias presenciadas en el one shot DC ALL IN con esa aparente "muerte" de Darkseid que tanto ha trastocado el universo DC. ¿Los Investigadores están más conectados a la MUERTE o la VIDA?

Es cierto que al final de todo, este Investigadores de lo Desconocido tampoco se convierte en lectura ESENCIAL en el computo global de lo que se gesta en las oficinas de DC con la colisión del Universo troncal y ABSOLUTE. Pero sí que es de las menos "rutinarias", quizás ya solo por rescatar y dar algo de espacio a unos personajes menos pródigos que por ejemplo otros igualmente secundarios pero más solícitos como The Question o los ATOMS.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this, surprising myself. I thought this might be another odd little tie-in to the greater Justice League Unlimited initiative like Question: All Along The Watchtower, or the Atom Project, but spotlighting the Challengers of the Unknown, a group who are literally unknown to me (see what I did there) and actually making me care about them over 5 issues? Yeah, I didn't expect that at all.

Some new Omega energy anomalies have sprung up across the universe, and it's up to the Challengers to team up with a Justice League member each and investigate. But there's something darker going on, with Darkseid's influence lingering even though the big guy's technically 'dead'. Things build to a satisfying crescendo, but then there's definitely a feeling of 'watch this space!' while the rest of the DCU (and the Absolute Uni, if I'm reading this right) catches up with the rest of the story. it feels a bit unfinished, and I hope what's set up here gets picked up on elsewhere, or I'll probably knock off a star.

Art's great, start to finish. Jorge Fornes does the prelude story and a flashback bit in issue 2, and then Sean Izaakse and Amancay Nahuelpan double-team the rest of the pages between them.

An unexpected little gem - I just hope it means something more going forward.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have no clue what DC All In is.
I read The Question: All Along the Watchtower which kind of ties in with this book. I did not really like it.
This story was better, but not by much. I really like the idea of the Challengers, but DC can’t seem to decide what their role in this DCU should be. In this story, Mr Terrific - who seems to be the president of superheroes now - sends the Challengers on individual missions, with one of the big three each, to investigate rouge Omega Energy after the death of Darksied (I didn’t know about that either). The Omega Energy seems to be tied to the Challengers, who have all cheated death at some point. It actually makes some sense, but the encounters really seem weird and convoluted. Mr T is a bit of an ass, and much like the Question book, the actual super powered heroes do next to nothing. There really wasn’t an end to the story either.
I did think it was cool to see Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern dressed as Challengers.
The art was ok, but could have been better.

[Trike · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Challengers in DC are like Ka-Zar over at Marvel: one of my favorite concepts that’s never really had a decent book. The Silver Age adventures I read as a kid are as good as they’ve gotten.

I don’t understand why writers have such a hard time with the Challs. It’s basically a whole team of Indiana Jones types with a Lara Croft added to the group later. They basically have “supernatural pulp adventure” baked into their concept. And not for nothing, the Challs existed decades before Indy and Lara. There’s no need for superheroes to get involved. Yet here we are, each Challenger sent off on a mission separately with a Justice League member or three sent along as babysitter. It kind of undercuts the tension when Superman is literally standing right next to you.

I don’t really know what this “All In” overarching story is about other than Darkseid being dead. (Temporarily, I’m sure.) I’m not a fan of events but I wanted to read this because I am eternally hopeful that I’ll encounter a good Challengers book. One day, maybe, but not today.

[Ángel Javier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh... pues... ¿no está mal? Un guion intrigante con "continuará", y un dibujo un tanto básico y decepcionante, pero vale. Eso sí, me parece una chorrada sacar a un montón de Challengers de todas las encarnaciones del equipo para que no hagan absolutamente nada. Mejor centrarse en Prof, Rocky, Red, Ace y June y hacer como si los otros nunca hubieran existido, lo que, para la inmensa mayoría de aficionados, es cierto. El chaval chino ese que casi se cargan en la mini de Question todavía tiene un pase, pero los demás... venga ya, no pintan nada. Una buena Crisis en Challengers Infinitos haría falta.

Lo mejor: la sensación de que detrás de la iniciativa All-In hay una historia interesante que se va desplegando en las diversas coles relacionadas con la Liga. Lo peor: que seguro que dentro de unos mesecillos tocará un evento tan multitudinario como mierdoso para culminarla. Bueno, esto son lentejas, amigos...

[Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is DEEPLY entwined with 'All In' and 'Absolute'...

Darkseid has been destroyed? He's gone. No location known. The heroes on the Watchtower are busy cleaning up and investigating what a world without Darkseid IS.

CotU is a deep cut for most readers. They're kind of a Fantastic Four without superpowers, honestly. They've all survived extreme experiences (aka they've cheated death). Keeping them relevant, they've tied those near death experiences to Darkseid. Anomalies have appeared after Darkseid's death(?). Mr. Terrific sends the Challengers out to investigate them and find out a way to figure out Darkseid's next move.

Can they predict the return of Darkseid?
----
Bonus: The Justice League partners wearing the purple of the Challengers was...cute
Bonus Bonus: The open ending leaves space for future 'All In' connections. Good? Bad?

[Eva B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
Been meaning to read more of the Challengers seeing as they're sort of DC's Fantastic Four and this had a good mix of action and intrigue. Whatever June has going on with Ultivac is pretty interesting and has some good Hank-and-Ultron vibes, and I really like how the Justice League Unlimited set-up lets lesser-known team and characters get some time in the spotlight--we don't just see the core five Challengers, we get glimpses of almost all of them, plus Cave Carson, Captain Comet, and the Sea Devils. I definitely liked it more as it went on, especially once we hit Prof and Red's chapters.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Collects Challengers of the Unknown (2024) issues #1-5

I don't know if this was meant to be an ongoing series rather than a miniseries, but this collection ends on a (sort of) cliffhanger. Overall, I liked this miniseries, but even though it features multiple top-level characters from the DC Universe, it doesn't seem to be a must-read story (for now). Hopefully that will change as the "All In" Saga continues. I really like the concept of the Challengers of the Unknown as a team, even though I have had limited exposure to them in the past.

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did quite like this butnirs just a middle chapter. it's nor stand alone even within this era of dc. no sense of closure. I would like to buy it for the creators but I can't as I won't have enjoyment at the end of it.

cantwell writes an overall story throughout but digs deeper into each character for the individual issues.

izaakse art is always great. I wish he was slightly faster to be doing a full monthly book regularly but I'll take what I can get. fornes art is pretty good also.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this but it is very linked to current continuity.

This is a great thing for readers who are tuned into what’s happening in the wider DCU, but less so for casual readers who are not as immersed in the current status quo or don’t have a familiarity with some of the lesser known characters.

Cantwell is quite ambitious with it though and I appreciated that effort. Good use of the Challengers on a rare outing and ties in very well with the wider events of All In and Absolute.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really interesting and fun series that connects an often overlooked but inspiring team of DC heroes to the larger Darkseid storyline in a very natural way. The art is fantastic and a lot of fun comes from exploring the personalities and backstories of the various Challengers while the bounce off of DC's more iconic heroes.

[Kamiab Ghorbanpour · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not a Challengers of the Unknown fan, and this is my first time reading a CotU book, but man—can we please get some ‘DEI forced diversity’? Half the time I can’t even tell these four white guys apart.

[Jean-Pierre Vidrine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a fun, cosmic, and often mind-boggling adventure. There's plenty of back-story from earlier comics I haven't read, but the narrative recaps it well enough without overly long flashbacks.
The resolution is nice and philosophical, and the ending is usefully open.

[Daniel Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quest to find out about the Challengers and their relationship to their fates.

With som unanswered questions.

[Fazun · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Will Cooper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fine enough, but felt more like setting down some lore for the future of the DC universe.