DC's All In publishing initiative offers a unique opportunity for top-tier creators to reimagine some of the most iconic heroes in the DC Universe, free from the shackles of established continuity. Led by industry giants Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, the initiative includes the groundbreaking Absolute Universe, a direct continuation and evolution of the Absolute Power arc that concluded in late 2024. This ambitious storyline introduces a bold new status quo for Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, promising to redefine these beloved characters in ways fans have never seen before.
Since its launch in October, the Absolute Universe has been unfolding across multiple titles, making it a challenge to follow the narrative thread. Here, we provide a comprehensive guide to the chronology and recommended reading order for DC's Absolute Universe in 2025.
Important Note: Don't confuse the Absolute Universe titles with DC's "Absolute" collected editions, such as the new Absolute Batman: Zero Year. They are entirely separate entities!
The Reading Order
For the ongoing series, begin with our suggested reading order, then follow the subsequent issues in their release sequence. Each main Absolute series is planned for a six-issue run, with future trade paperback collections on the horizon.
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. It's the essential starting point 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 true beginning of the Absolute Universe. It presents a gritty, reimagined Batman where Bruce Wayne is not wealthy, lacks a high-tech Batcave, and has no Alfred to keep him grounded.
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 issue reimagines Wonder Woman, flipping the Greek mythos on its head. Diana is portrayed as a 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 AmazonPenned by Jason Aaron, known for Southern Bastards and Thor, Absolute Superman explores a more relatable Man of Steel, stripped of his usual advantages and starting 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 dramatic departure from the original character. FBI agent John Jones finds himself increasingly overtaken 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 innovative take on the Green Lantern mythos involves four individuals—Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Jo Mullein—dealing 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
While this is the current scope of the Absolute Universe, we anticipate that these narratives might lead to a grand finale or event by the end of 2025 or later, potentially expanding to include more heroes in the Absolute treatment.
