DC's Absolute Universe: A Chronological Reading Guide

DC's All In publishing initiative offers renowned creators the opportunity to explore the universe of DC's most iconic characters without the limitations of existing continuity. Spearheaded by industry veterans Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, the initiative includes the Absolute Universe, which follows the Absolute Power arc concluded at the end of 2024. This new, ongoing storyline introduces a fresh status quo for the beloved trio of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, promising to challenge fans' expectations of these legendary heroes.

The Absolute Universe has been captivating readers since its launch in October, but with multiple concurrent series, it can be challenging to follow the storyline. To help fans navigate this expansive event, we've compiled a comprehensive 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" line of collected editions, such as the new Absolute Batman: Zero Year. These are entirely separate entities.

The Reading Order

For the ongoing series, we recommend starting with the following order before proceeding with subsequent issues as they are released. Each main series in the Absolute Universe will consist of a six-issue run, eventually 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

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This oversized one-shot, crafted by the visionary Scott Snyder, sets the stage for the Absolute Universe. It's essential to start here to fully grasp the groundwork laid out before diving into the subsequent titles, starting with 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 beginning of the Absolute Universe. This issue presents a compelling, gritty reinterpretation of the Dark Knight, exploring a scenario where Bruce Wayne is not wealthy, lacks a high-tech Batcave, and has no Alfred to provide guidance.

3. Absolute Wonder Woman #1 by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman

### Absolute Wonder Woman #1

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Released shortly after Absolute Batman #1 at the end of October, Absolute Wonder Woman #1 reimagines the Greek mythos, portraying 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

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Penned by the acclaimed Jason Aaron, known for works like Southern Bastards and Thor, Absolute Superman #1 continues the trend of reimagining heroes in less privileged circumstances, making the Man of Steel more relatable than ever.

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 #1 delves into Wally West's journey to master the nuances 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

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The second entry in the 2025 wave, Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 offers a significant departure from the original character. Here, FBI agent John Jones experiences a gradual takeover by a Martian, drawing him into a conflict far beyond his initial understanding.

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

### Absolute Green Lantern #1

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This interpretation of the Green Lantern mythos introduces four individuals who have previously held the mantle: Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Jo Mullein. They must navigate the aftermath of a large Green Lantern crash-landing in a small town.

Upcoming Collected Editions

Currently, only the first three Absolute titles have announced 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

Looking ahead, the Absolute Universe is poised to continue evolving, potentially leading to a grand finale or event at the end of 2025 or beyond, with more heroes likely to receive the Absolute treatment in the future.