Upper Deck has finally done what comic collectors have quietly hoped for: it brought Gotham into the Metal Universe. Skybox Metal Universe Batman is the first DC installment in Upper Deck’s long-running premium trading card line, and it turns the Dark Knight’s world into a showcase of foil, lenticular, and die-cut artistry. Each hobby box contains twelve packs with six cards apiece, with release scheduled for early November 2025.
The concept feels overdue. Marvel fans have been swimming in shiny metal cards for years, while Batman’s corner of the collecting world stayed mostly traditional. Skybox Metal Universe Batman changes that by diving headfirst into Gotham’s mix of grit and style. The 200-card base set features heroes, villains, and allies from across Batman’s comic history, each rendered in Upper Deck’s distinct metallic finish that makes even the shadows look premium.
The chase inserts are where the fun begins. Precious Metal Gems and Jambalaya cards make their return for collectors who live for nostalgia. New Gotham-centric creations add personality, like “Enigma” glow-in-the-dark riddles, “Secret Identity” dual-image lenticulars, and “From the Diary of Alfred Pennyworth” booklets limited to just 25 copies. There are Arkham Asylum die-cuts, etched foil Poison Ivy cards, and a 3D “Clown Prince of Crime” lenticular that might be the closest thing to Joker jumping off the card.
Autographs and sketch cards sweeten the deal, featuring DC legends such as Grant Morrison, Gail Simone, Greg Capullo, and Paul Dini. Each signature is a small time capsule from creators who helped define Batman’s modern era. It is the kind of crossover between comics and collectibles that feels natural, not forced.
Retailers are listing slightly different release dates, but early November looks like the window for hobby boxes, with blaster versions expected later. Whenever it hits, Skybox Metal Universe Batman is shaping up to be more than another shiny set. It is Gotham filtered through Upper Deck’s metallic imagination, and for fans who have always wanted a bit more polish with their paranoia, it is about time.
