DC's Absolute Universe: A Chronological Reading Guide

DC's All In publishing initiative, spearheaded by comics legends Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, offers creators a unique opportunity to explore some of DC's most iconic heroes outside of established continuity. The centerpiece of this initiative, the Absolute Universe, continues and expands upon the Absolute Power arc from late 2024. This ongoing saga introduces a new status quo for Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, promising to challenge fans' preconceived notions of these characters.

Since its launch in October, the Absolute Universe has been unfolding across multiple titles, which can make it challenging to follow the storyline. Here, we provide a comprehensive guide to the chronology and recommended reading order for DC's Absolute Universe in 2025.

Note: It's important not to confuse the Absolute Universe titles with DC's "Absolute" collected editions, such as the new Absolute Batman: Zero Year, as they are distinct and unrelated.

The Reading Order

Start with the recommended reading order below, and then follow the subsequent issues in their release sequence. Each main Absolute series will consist of six issues, which will later be compiled 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 by Scott Snyder sets the stage for the Absolute Universe. It's the perfect starting point before diving into the individual series, such as 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. This issue reimagines Batman in a gritty new light, exploring a version of Bruce Wayne who lacks wealth, a high-tech Batcave, and the guidance 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 at the end of October, this series reimagines Wonder Woman, presenting Diana as a heavily armed Amazon warrior on a quest for purpose, diverging significantly from traditional Greek mythos.

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, this series delves into a more relatable Superman, exploring how he would cope if he started from nothing.

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 follows Wally West as he navigates the complexities of speed without the support of his Flash family or the Speed Force.

6. Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez

### Absolute Martian Manhunter #1

0See it at AmazonThis title, also part of the 2025 wave, presents a radical departure from the original character. FBI agent John Jones finds himself increasingly influenced by a Martian presence, drawing him into a larger conflict.

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

### Absolute Green Lantern #1

0See it at AmazonThis series introduces a unique take on the Green Lantern mythos, featuring four individuals who have previously worn the ring: Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Jo Mullein. They must handle the aftermath of a Green Lantern crash-landing 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

While this is all the Absolute Universe has scheduled for now, fans can anticipate further developments and possibly a culminating event towards the end of 2025 or later, with more heroes potentially receiving the Absolute treatment in the future.