"DC’s Absolute Universe: A Chronological Reading Guide"

DC's All In publishing initiative, spearheaded by comics legends Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, offers creators the freedom to explore iconic heroes in new ways, unbound by existing continuity. A key component of this initiative is the Absolute Universe, which follows the Absolute Power arc from late 2024. This ongoing saga redefines the status quo for Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, promising to subvert expectations for fans familiar with these characters.

Since its launch in October, the Absolute Universe has been expanding across multiple titles, making it challenging to keep up with the storyline, timeline, and characters. 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 the Absolute Universe titles with DC's "Absolute" collected editions, such as the new Absolute Batman: Zero Year. These are distinct from the ongoing series.

The Reading Order

Start with our recommended reading order for all ongoing series, then follow the subsequent issues in release order. Each main Absolute series 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

0See it at AmazonThis oversized one-shot by Scott Snyder sets the stage for the Absolute Universe. Begin here 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 official start of the Absolute Universe, presenting a fresh, gritty take on the Dark Knight. Imagine Bruce Wayne without wealth, a high-tech Batcave, or Alfred to keep him grounded.

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

### Absolute Wonder Woman #1

0See it at AmazonPublished just weeks after Absolute Batman #1, this series reimagines Wonder Woman, turning Greek mythos on its head. Diana is portrayed as a heavily armed Amazon warrior seeking her 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, imagining what it would be like if he started from nothing.

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

### Absolute Flash #1

0See it at AmazonKicking off the 2025 wave, Absolute Flash follows Wally West as he learns 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

### Absolute Martian Manhunter #1

0See it at AmazonThe second entry in the 2025 wave, this series presents a significant departure from the original character. FBI agent John Jones faces a Martian takeover, 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 take on the Green Lantern mythos involves four past bearers of the title: Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and Jo Mullein. They deal 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

For now, this is the extent of the Absolute Universe's offerings. However, we anticipate these stories might lead to a grand finale or event by the end of 2025 or beyond, potentially featuring more heroes in the Absolute treatment.