DC's All In publishing initiative offers a unique opportunity for top creators to explore some of the company's most iconic heroes in a fresh, continuity-free setting. Spearheaded by the renowned Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, this initiative includes the Absolute Universe, which builds upon and extends the narrative from the Absolute Power arc that concluded in late 2024. This new ongoing saga introduces a novel status quo for Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, promising to defy expectations for fans familiar with these legendary characters.
Since its launch in October, the Absolute Universe has captured the attention of readers with its multiple ongoing titles. However, keeping up with the chronology and reading order can be challenging. Here, we provide a detailed guide to help you navigate DC's Absolute Universe in 2025.
Important Note: Do not confuse the Absolute Universe titles with DC's "Absolute" line of collected editions, such as the new Absolute Batman: Zero Year. These are separate entities!
The Reading Order
Begin with our recommended sequence for the ongoing series, then proceed with subsequent issues in their release order. Each main Absolute series will consist of a six-issue run, eventually collected into trade paperback editions.
1. DC All In Special #1 by Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson, Wes Craig, and Daniel Sampere
### DC All In Special #1
0See it at AmazonThis oversized one-shot, crafted by the visionary Scott Snyder, lays the groundwork for the Absolute Universe. Start your journey here before diving into Absolute Batman.
2. Absolute Batman #1 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta
### Absolute Batman #1
1See it at AmazonLaunched in October 2024, this issue marks the official start of the Absolute Universe. It presents a gritty, innovative take on the Dark Knight, imagining Bruce Wayne as someone without wealth, a high-tech Batcave, or the stabilizing presence of Alfred.
3. Absolute Wonder Woman #1 by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman
### Absolute Wonder Woman #1
0See it at AmazonReleased shortly after Absolute Batman #1, this comic reinvents Wonder Woman's narrative, depicting Diana as a formidable, heavily armed Amazon warrior on a quest for purpose, challenging traditional Greek mythos.
4. Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval
### Absolute Superman #1
0See it at AmazonPenned by acclaimed writer Jason Aaron, this issue continues the theme of heroes rising from humble beginnings. Here, Superman emerges as more relatable, grounded in a world far removed from his usual might.
5. Absolute Flash #1 by Jeff Lemire and Nick Robles
### Absolute Flash #1
0See it at AmazonInitiating the second wave of the initiative in 2025, this issue focuses on Wally West's journey to master speed without the aid of the Flash family or the Speed Force.
6. Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez
### Absolute Martian Manhunter #1
0See it at AmazonThe second title of the 2025 wave presents a radical departure from the traditional Martian Manhunter story. Here, FBI agent John Jones faces a gradual transformation and entanglement in a vast Martian conflict.
7. Absolute Green Lantern #1 by Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay
### Absolute Green Lantern #1
0See it at AmazonThis issue reimagines the Green Lantern mythos with four different individuals— Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Jo Mullein—navigating the aftermath of a Green Lantern crash-landing in a small town.
Upcoming Collected Editions
Currently, only the initial three Absolute titles have announced release dates for their collected editions:
- Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo releases on August 5
- Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon releases on August 12
- Absolute Superman Vol. 1: The Last Dust of Krypton releases on August 19
For now, this represents the full scope of the Absolute Universe. However, we anticipate that these stories might converge into a grand finale or event by the end of 2025 or later, potentially expanding to include more heroes in the Absolute Universe.
