DC's Absolute Universe: Chronological Reading Guide

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 constraints of established continuity. Led by industry legends Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, the initiative includes the Absolute Universe, which builds upon and follows the Absolute Power arc from late 2024. This new ongoing storyline 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 into multiple ongoing series, making it challenging to keep up with the storyline. Here’s a comprehensive guide to the chronology and reading order for 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 unrelated.

The Reading Order

Start with our recommended reading order for all ongoing series, and then continue with subsequent issues in their release order. Each main Absolute series will consist of a six-issue run 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

0See it at AmazonThis oversized one-shot, crafted by Scott Snyder, sets the stage for the Absolute Universe. It’s essential to read this 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 beginning of the Absolute Universe. It presents a gritty, fresh take on the Dark Knight, imagining a Bruce Wayne who lacks wealth, has no high-tech Batcave, and 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 by flipping the Greek mythos on its head. It portrays Diana as a formidable, 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 how the Man of Steel would navigate life if he started from nothing, making him more relatable.

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 focuses on Wally West learning to harness his 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 of the 2025 wave offers a significant departure from the original character. It follows FBI agent John Jones as he battles a Martian takeover of his body and mind, pulling him into a larger conflict.

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

### Absolute Green Lantern #1

0See it at AmazonThis unique take on the Green Lantern mythos involves 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 the extent of the Absolute Universe's current offerings, there's potential for more stories and possibly a culminating event by the end of 2025 or beyond, with additional heroes receiving the Absolute treatment.