DC's Absolute Universe: Chronological Reading Guide

DC's All In publishing initiative offers powerhouse creators the freedom to explore some of the label's most iconic heroes without the constraints of pre-established continuity. Spearheaded by comics legends Scott Snyder, a Batman veteran, and Joshua Williamson, a longtime Flash writer, 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 expectations and offer fresh perspectives on these well-known characters.

Since its launch in October, the Absolute Universe has been expanding across multiple ongoing titles, making it challenging to follow the storyline, chronology, and character developments. To help you navigate this complex narrative, we're here to provide a detailed breakdown of DC's Absolute Universe's chronology and reading order for 2025.

Note: It's important to distinguish Absolute Universe titles from DC's "Absolute" collected editions, such as the new Absolute Batman: Zero Year. These are separate entities and not connected to the Absolute Universe.

The Reading Order

For all ongoing series within the Absolute Universe, begin with our recommended reading order, then follow with subsequent issues in their release sequence. Each main Absolute series will consist of a six-issue run and will be available in future trade paperback collections.

1. DC All In Special #1 by Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson, Wes Craig, and Daniel Sampere

0See it at Amazon
This oversized one-shot, crafted by architect Scott Snyder, lays the foundation for the Absolute Universe. Start here to fully grasp the new narrative before diving into Absolute Batman.

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

1See it at Amazon
First published 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 world 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

0See it at Amazon
Published just weeks after Absolute Batman #1 at the end of October, this series 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

0See it at Amazon
Written by Jason Aaron, known for Southern Bastards and Thor, Absolute Superman delves into how the Man of Steel would cope without his usual advantages, making him more relatable to readers.

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

0See it at Amazon
Kicking off the second wave of the initiative in 2025, Absolute Flash presents Wally West learning the ins and outs of speed without the support of the Flash family or the Speed Force.

6. Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez

0See it at Amazon
The second title in the 2025 wave, Absolute Martian Manhunter takes a dramatic departure from the original character. FBI agent John Jones finds his body and mind overtaken by a Martian, drawing him into a vast, unexpected conflict.

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

0See it at Amazon
This innovative take on the Green Lantern mythos features four individuals who have previously donned the title: Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Jo Mullein. They must deal with the aftermath of a Green Lantern crash-landing in a small town.

Upcoming Collected Editions

Currently, release dates for collected editions have been announced for the first three Absolute titles:

• Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo - August 5
• Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon - August 12
• Absolute Superman Vol. 1: The Last Dust of Krypton - August 19

Looking ahead, the Absolute Universe promises to continue evolving. While these stories offer a wealth of new material, we wouldn't be surprised if they lead to a grand finale or a major event by the end of 2025 or beyond, potentially introducing more heroes to the Absolute treatment.