DC's All In publishing initiative offers a unique opportunity for top-tier creators to explore the iconic heroes of the DC universe without the burden of established continuity. Led by industry veterans Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, the initiative includes the Absolute Universe, which follows up on the Absolute Power arc from late 2024. This new ongoing series 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 expanded across multiple titles, making it challenging to follow the storyline's progression. Here, we provide 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" collected editions, such as the new Absolute Batman: Zero Year, as they are entirely separate.
The Reading Order
For all ongoing series, begin with our recommended reading order, then follow 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 Scott Snyder, sets the stage 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, turning the Greek mythos on its head. Diana is depicted 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, originating from humble beginnings.
5. Absolute Flash #1 by Jeff Lemire and Nick Robles
### Absolute Flash #1
0See it at AmazonKicking off the second wave 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 faces a gradual takeover by a Martian, 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 issue reimagines the Green Lantern mythos with 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, there's potential for these stories to lead to a grand finale or event by the end of 2025 or later, possibly expanding to include more heroes in the Absolute treatment.
