Beetlejuice is getting flirty with Superman in a crossover no one expected to see this year. With the impending release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel to the beloved ’80s movie, the infamous Bio-Exorcist is beginning to find his way back to the zeitgeist. Still, the last thing fans of the original film would expect is for him to make his way to the DC Universe, especially as he crosses paths with Superman.

Superman #17 by Joshua Williamson and Jamal Campbell features a variant cover by artist Chris Bachalo that finds Superman in the waiting room for the dead from the original Beetlejuice, sitting next to the explorer with the shrunken head. On his right is Beetlejuice himself, who extends his arm around the Man of Steel and asks “you and Lois still an item? Asking for a friend.”

Given Beetlejuice’s sleazy history, it’s completely in character for him to put the moves on the Man of Steel as soon as he arrives in the Land of the Dead. He’s also crossing over with other DCU icons, as spotlighted in more variant covers below.

DC Recreates an Iconic Beetlejuice Scene as the Bio-Exorcist Cozies Up to Superman

Beetlejuice (1988), Directed by Tim Burton

What’s interesting about this meeting between Superman and Beetlejuice is how Bachalo manages to recreate Beetlejuice director Tim Burton’s iconic style while making the cover’s style and scene completely unique. The use of odd proportions and muted colors make it look like it was directly pulled from the world of Beetlejuice. Plus, by capturing the Bio-Exorcist mimicking a similar sequence in the original film as he cozies up to Clark Kent, it adds a layer of grossness that the Beetlejuice film is famous for.

However, the smaller details give the cover some extra flair. For example, Superman’s own head has shrunken in size, hinting that he also unknowingly taunted the same witch doctor that shrank Beetlejuice’s head at the end of the film (possibly by trying to swap his place in line so he can return to Metropolis). It’s a fun little detail that makes this cover a unique piece of art while paying homage to one of Burton’s best works.

Beetlejuice Invades the DC Universe in New Variant Cover Series

Featuring Batman, the Gotham City Sirens, Swamp Thing, Nightwing, and Wonder Woman

The exciting part about Beetlejuice’s turn to comic variant covers is that he’s not just sticking to flirting with the Man of Steel. He’s actually aiming to pester the rest of the DCU as well. One of the most notable new covers features Beetlejuice taking on Batman from Batman ’89, both of whom were played by Michael Keaton in the movies. The Bio-Exorcist also finds himself infiltrating the worlds of Harley Quinn, Nightwing, Wonder Woman and Swamp Thing for a brilliant lead-up to his return to the big screen this September in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.

Fans can their hands on this exciting cover art when Superman #17 hits stores on August 21st, 2024. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is undeniably one of the most anticipated sequels coming out in 2024. However, mere weeks before the film’s premiere, seeing Beetlejuice flirt with Superman is a sight to behold that absolutely no one expected would happen, and Bachalo managed to bring the idea to life in the best way possible.

Superman #17 is available August 21st, 2024 from DC Comics!