DC's Absolute Universe: A Chronological Reading Guide

DC's All In publishing initiative provides top-tier creators with the opportunity to explore some of the label's most iconic heroes free from the shackles of existing continuity. Spearheaded by comics legends Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, the initiative includes the Absolute Universe, which follows and expands upon the Absolute Power arc from late 2024. This new, ongoing arc introduces a fresh status quo for Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, promising to challenge fans' expectations of these beloved characters.

Since its launch in October, the Absolute Universe has grown with multiple ongoing titles, making it challenging to follow the storyline. To help you navigate, here's a detailed breakdown of the chronology and recommended reading order for DC's Absolute Universe in 2025.

Note: Don't confuse Absolute Universe titles with DC's "Absolute" collected editions, such as the new Absolute Batman: Zero Year; they are entirely separate!

The Reading Order

For all ongoing series, begin with our suggested reading order, then continue with subsequent issues as they are released. Each main Absolute series is planned for a six-issue run and will be collected in trade paperback editions in the future.

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 by architect Scott Snyder sets the stage for the Absolute Universe. Start 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, Absolute Batman #1 marks the beginning of the Absolute Universe, presenting a gritty, new take on the Dark Knight. Imagine a Bruce Wayne who isn't wealthy, without a high-tech Batcave, and missing his grounding influence, 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 at the end of October, this version of Wonder Woman reimagines the Greek mythos. Here, Diana is portrayed as a fierce, heavily armed Amazon warrior on a quest for purpose.

4. Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval

### Absolute Superman #1

0See it at AmazonWritten by Jason Aaron, known for Southern Bastards and Thor, Absolute Superman explores a more relatable Man of Steel, one who rises from humble beginnings.

5. Absolute Flash #1 by Jeff Lemire and Nick Robles

### Absolute Flash #1

0See it at AmazonKicking off the second wave of the initiative in 2025, Absolute Flash sees Wally West navigating the complexities of speed without the support 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 in the 2025 wave, this series offers a significant departure from the original character. FBI agent John Jones finds himself increasingly influenced by a Martian, drawing him into a vast, unforeseen conflict.

7. Absolute Green Lantern #1 by Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay

### Absolute Green Lantern #1

0See it at AmazonThis unique take on the Green Lantern mythos involves four individuals who have previously held the title: Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Jo Mullein. They must deal with the aftermath of a crashed Green Lantern in a small town.

Upcoming Collected Editions

Currently, only the first 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 is the extent of the Absolute Universe's offerings. However, we anticipate these stories might lead to a grand finale or event by the end of 2025 or later, with more heroes potentially receiving the Absolute treatment in the future.