DC's All In publishing initiative offers top-tier creators the opportunity to explore the iconic heroes of the DC Universe without the shackles of established continuity. Led by industry giants Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, the initiative includes the Absolute Universe, which follows the Absolute Power arc that concluded in late 2024. This ongoing saga introduces a fresh status quo for the legendary trio of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, promising to challenge fans' expectations of these beloved characters.
Since its launch in October, the Absolute Universe has captivated fans with its multiple ongoing series. However, with so many titles, keeping up with the storyline can be challenging. Here's a comprehensive guide to the chronology and reading order of DC's Absolute Universe in 2025.
Note: It's important not to confuse the Absolute Universe titles with DC's "Absolute" line of collected editions, such as Absolute Batman: Zero Year. These are entirely separate entities.
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 will consist of six issues and will eventually be 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, masterminded by Scott Snyder, lays the groundwork for the Absolute Universe. Start here to fully grasp the context 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 official beginning of the Absolute Universe. It presents a raw and gritty vision of the Dark Knight—where Bruce Wayne is not wealthy, lacks a high-tech Batcave, and misses Alfred's grounding influence.
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 issue reimagines Wonder Woman. Diana is depicted as a formidable, heavily armed Amazon warrior on a quest for purpose, deviating significantly from traditional Greek mythology.
4. Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval
### Absolute Superman #1
0See it at AmazonPenned by Jason Aaron, renowned for his work on Southern Bastards and Thor, Absolute Superman #1 explores a more relatable Man of Steel, originating from humble beginnings rather than Kryptonian royalty.
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 #1 sees Wally West navigating the complexities and limitations 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 AmazonAs the second title in the 2025 wave, Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 presents a dramatic departure from the character's origins. FBI agent John Jones faces a gradual transformation as a Martian entity takes over, pulling him into a vast and unexpected 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—Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Jo Mullein—managing the aftermath of a Green Lantern crash in a small town.
Upcoming Collected Editions
Currently, release dates for collected editions have only been announced for the first three Absolute titles:
- 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 these are the immediate plans for the Absolute Universe, there's potential for more stories and possibly a culminating event toward the end of 2025 or later, with additional heroes receiving the Absolute treatment in the future.
