DC's All In publishing initiative offers a unique opportunity for renowned creators to explore iconic heroes without the burden of established continuity. Spearheaded by comics legends Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, the initiative includes the Absolute Universe, which builds upon the Absolute Power arc from late 2024. This ongoing storyline introduces a new status quo for Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, promising to redefine these beloved characters in unexpected ways.
Since its launch in October, the Absolute Universe has been expanding across multiple titles, making it challenging to follow the storyline. 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 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 with subsequent issues in release order. Each main Absolute series will consist of six issues and will eventually be collected in 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 architect Scott Snyder lays the groundwork for the Absolute Universe, and it's essential to start here before diving into Absolute Batman.
2. Absolute Batman #1 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta
### Absolute Batman #1
1See it at AmazonFirst published in October 2024, Absolute Batman #1 marks the true beginning of the Absolute Universe, presenting a gritty, fresh take on the Dark Knight. Imagine a Bruce Wayne who isn't wealthy, has no high-tech 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 at the end of October, this iteration of Wonder Woman reimagines Greek mythology, depicting Diana 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 AmazonWritten by Jason Aaron, known for Southern Bastards and Thor, Absolute Superman explores a more relatable Man of Steel, examining how he would cope if he started from nothing.
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 follows Wally West as he navigates 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 entry in the 2025 wave, this title presents a significant departure from the original character. FBI agent John Jones is slowly 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 unique take on the Green Lantern mythos features four individuals who have previously worn the ring: Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Jo Mullein. They must deal with the aftermath of a crashed Green Lantern in a small town.
Upcoming Collected Editions
As of now, only the first three Absolute titles have scheduled 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
For the foreseeable future, these titles represent the core offerings of the Absolute Universe. However, we anticipate that these stories may lead to a grand finale or event towards the end of 2025 or beyond, potentially expanding to include more heroes in the Absolute Universe.
