DC's Absolute Universe: Chronological Reading Guide

DC's All In publishing initiative is a thrilling opportunity for powerhouse creators to explore some of the label's most iconic heroes without the constraints of pre-established continuity. Led by comics legend Scott Snyder, known for his work on Batman, and veteran Flash writer Joshua Williamson, the initiative includes the Absolute Universe, which follows up on the Absolute Power arc from late 2024. This ongoing arc introduces a new status quo for the beloved trio of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, promising to subvert all expectations fans have of these characters.

Since its launch in October, the Absolute Universe has been gaining momentum, but with numerous ongoing titles, it can be challenging to keep up with the storyline, timeline, and character developments. To help fans navigate this expansive universe, here's a detailed breakdown of DC's Absolute Universe chronology and reading order for 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 entities!

The Reading Order

For all ongoing series within the Absolute Universe, begin with our recommended reading order, then follow the subsequent issues as they are released. Each main series in the Absolute Universe will run for six issues and will be collected into 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

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This oversized one-shot, crafted by architect Scott Snyder, sets the stage for the Absolute Universe. It's the perfect starting point before diving into the individual series, particularly Absolute Batman.

2. Absolute Batman #1 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta

### Absolute Batman #1

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Launched in October 2024, Absolute Batman #1 marks the true beginning of the Absolute Universe. It offers a fresh, gritty take on the Dark Knight, exploring a scenario 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

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Released just weeks after Absolute Batman #1 at the end of October, this series reimagines Wonder Woman, turning 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

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Penned by Jason Aaron, known for Southern Bastards and Thor, Absolute Superman delves into how the Man of Steel would cope if he came from humble beginnings, making him more relatable to readers.

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

### Absolute Flash #1

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Kicking off the second wave of the initiative in 2025, Absolute Flash explores Wally West's journey to master 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

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The second entry 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 much larger conflict.

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

### Absolute Green Lantern #1

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This series reimagines the Green Lantern mythos with four individuals—Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Jo Mullein—dealing with 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 to offer for now, fans can anticipate these stories potentially culminating in a grand finale or event by the end of 2025 or beyond, with more heroes likely to receive the Absolute treatment in the future.