DC's All In publishing initiative offers powerhouse creators the opportunity to explore iconic heroes without the constraints of established continuity. Led by comics legends Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, the initiative includes the Absolute Universe, a follow-up to the Absolute Power arc from late 2024. This ongoing arc presents a new status quo for Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, challenging readers' expectations of these beloved characters.
Since its launch in October, the Absolute Universe has grown, making it challenging to keep up with its multiple ongoing titles. Here, we provide a comprehensive guide to the chronology and reading order of DC's Absolute Universe in 2025.
Note: It's important to distinguish between Absolute Universe titles and DC's "Absolute" collected editions, such as the new Absolute Batman: Zero Year. They are not connected.
The Reading Order
Begin with our recommended reading order for all ongoing series, then follow subsequent issues in release order. Each main Absolute series will consist of a six-issue run, later 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 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, fresh take on the Dark Knight, exploring a scenario where Bruce Wayne is not wealthy, has no Batcave, and lacks the grounding presence 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, this issue reimagines Wonder Woman, portraying Diana as a heavily armed Amazon warrior on a quest for purpose, diverging from traditional Greek mythos.
4. Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval
### Absolute Superman #1
0See it at AmazonJason Aaron, known for Southern Bastards and Thor, takes Superman on a journey where he starts from nothing, making the Man of Steel more relatable than ever.
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 explores Wally West's journey with speed, sans the support of the Flash family or 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 reimagines FBI agent John Jones as he is overtaken 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 introduces a unique take on the Green Lantern mythos, featuring four individuals—Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Jo Mullein—who 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
The Absolute Universe promises more exciting developments, potentially culminating in a major event by the end of 2025 or later, with additional heroes likely to receive the Absolute treatment.
