The Absolute Universe (AU) is an imprint of American comic books published by DC Comics. The comics take place in a shared universe designated Alpha-World as part of the DC Comics multiverse, featuring reimagined and modernized versions of the company's superhero characters from the DC Universe. The line is overseen by writer Scott Snyder.
The imprint is part of the DC All In initiative, debuting in the aftermath of the 2024 "Absolute Power" storyline. It was launched that year with the publication of the ongoing series Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman.
Publication history The Absolute Universe (AU) is an all-new continuity separate from the DC Universe (DCU) overseen by Scott Snyder as part of the DC All In initiative. The existence of the new universe was first rumored in 2023 in relation to Snyder, before leaks emerged that it would be called the Absolute Universe as part of a wider program called DC All In. Several additional leaks occurred in the run-up to San Diego Comic-Con in July 2024 when it was officially announced by DC Comics.
The AU began in October 2024 with the DC All-In Special. The first titles released in the AU were Absolute Batman by Snyder with Nick Dragotta, and Absolute Wonder Woman by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman, which both started publication in October. A third title, Absolute Superman by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval, debuted in November of the same year. Originally, Rafael Albuquerque was set to illustrate Absolute Superman, but had to pull out of the project due to severe floods in his home country of Brazil, with Sandoval being brought onto the project in June 2024.
Three further titles were released in 2025: Absolute Flash by Jeff Lemire and Nick Robles, Absolute Martian Manhunter by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodríguez (both in March), and Absolute Green Lantern by Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay in April. Two additional titles, Absolute Green Arrow by Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque, and Absolute Catwoman by Che Grayson, Scott Snyder, and Bengal are scheduled for release in 2026. Additionally, there will be a spin-off of Absolute Catwoman titled Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow's Hand, written by Che Grayson.
Additionally, the Absolute versions of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman appeared at the end of DC K.O. #3, a series that features Darkseid wishing to transform DC's Prime Earth following the creation of the Absolute Universe.
Setting
The AU features previous concepts from Doomsday Clock (2017–2019), Dark Nights: Death Metal (2020–2021), and Infinite Frontier (2021–2023). It is set in Earth-Alpha, also called the Elseworld, one of the two pillars of the Metaverse, along with Earth-Omega, where Darkseid used to be imprisoned. According to Snyder, while the DCU is "influenced by Superman energy", the AU is "influenced by Darkseid energy", making society treat superheroes as underdogs.
It is established in DC All In Special that Earth-Alpha has been reshaped by Darkseid's essence as he is bent on creating a world driven by challenge and turmoil in which heroes are the "small chaos" rather than established parts of its system, while attempting to control its past and future during the gradual consolidation of the timeline on modern times.DC All-In Special #1. DC Comics. Vital, familiar elements of the characters are stripped, such as Batman's wealth, Diana's Amazons, and Superman's upbringing with the Kents, though the key personality traits and salient themes found in their stories remain intact.
Main changes between the Absolute Universe and the mainline DC universe come down to differences in power (the rich and wealthy largely dominate the world's politics and rule without repercussion, with the world's heroes at a severe disadvantage against them) and worldbuilding (there is no presence of the New Gods, certain aliens such as Martians lack physical bodies, and the emotional spectrum of the Lantern Corps is shortened). Important changes include:
The Justice League is an alliance between the Joker, Ra's al Ghul, Hector Hammond, Veronica Cale, and Elenore Thawne. Bruce Wayne is a blue-collar civil engineer, working with MI6 special agent Alfred Pennyworth. His mother, Martha, is still alive, and his close friends include Waylon Jones, Edward Nygma, Harvey Dent, Oswald Cobblepot, Mitchell "Matches" Malone and Selina Kyle. Kal-El grew up on Krypton prior to its destruction, and lives as an illegal immigrant on Earth with his AI companion Sol, which functions as his cape and Fortress of Solitude. Lois Lane is a corporate soldier for the Lazarus Corp while Jimmy Olsen is a member of the Omega Men. Diana grew up in Hell, raised by her adoptive mother Circe and mentored by the Greek gods, having been separated from the Amazons at birth by Zeus. Wally West is an army brat who kills Barry Allen by accident and is a loose fugitive after gaining his superpowers, accompanied by a mutant monkey named Grodd. John Jones is a human FBI agent whose mind is invaded by a non-physical alien entity ("The Martian") following a severe head trauma, granting him psychic abilities. The emotional spectrum consists of black (Qard: chaotic action), red (Rao: restraint from action), green (Sur: correct action), and yellow (Aur: enlightenment). Users of the light are classified using the prefixes "Abin" (meaning one who uses the light with understanding), "Ain" (initiates chosen by an Abin), or "Tomar" (anomalies who were not properly selected). Sojourner Mullein is a former police officer who becomes an anomalous user of green light (Tomar Sur). Other characters include Abin Sur, Hal Jordan (an Ain Qard), Guy Gardner (an Ain Rao), John Stewart (an Ain Aur), officers Cameron Chase and Simon Baz, Tomar-Re (a Tomar Rao). Kilowog and Mogo are members of the Blackstars (Abin Qards) who are led by the Controller of MU (an Abin Aur).
List of publications Prelude TitleWriter(s)Artist(s)Colorist(s)Publication dateDC All In SpecialScott SnyderJoshua WilliamsonWes CraigDaniel SampereMike SpicerAlejandro SánchezOctober 2, 2024
Ongoing series +TitleIssueWriter(s)Artist(s)Colorist(s)Publication dateAbsolute Batman1–Scott SnyderNick DragottaFrank MartinOctober 9, 2024Absolute Wonder WomanKelly ThompsonHayden ShermanJordie BellaireOctober 23, 2024Absolute SupermanJason AaronRafa SandovalUlises ArreolaNovember 6, 2024Absolute FlashJeff LemireNick RoblesAdriano LucasMarch 19, 2025Absolute Green LanternAl EwingJahnoy LindsayApril 2, 2025
Limited series TitleIssueWriter(s)Artist(s)Colorist(s)Debut dateConclusion dateAbsolute Martian Manhunter1–12Deniz CampJavier RodríguezMarch 26, 2025July 1, 2026Absolute Green ArrowPornsak PichetshoteRafael AlbuquerqueMarcelo MaioloMay 20, 2026rowspan="2" Absolute Catwoman 1–6Scott SnyderChe GraysonBengalGiovanna NiroJune 10, 2026
One-shots TitleWriter(s)Artist(s)Colorist(s)Publication dateFree Comic Book Day 2025:DC All In/Absolute Universe Special Edition Dan SlottJeff Lemire Rafael AlbuquerqueGiuseppe CamuncoliStefano Nesi Marcelo Maiolo May 3, 2025Absolute Evil Al Ewing Giuseppe CamuncoliStefano Nesi Romulo Fajardo Jr. October 1, 2025 Absolute Batman: Ark M Special Scott SnyderFrank Tieri Joshua Hixson Roman Stevens January 7, 2026Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow's HandChe GraysonMatías BergaraMike SpicerSeptember 16, 2026Batman of Two WorldsMatt FractionScott SnyderJavier FernandezNick DeringtonTomeu MoreyFrank MartinSeptember 19, 2026Absolute Batman: Beyond Ark MScott SnyderFrank TieriFrancesco Francavillarowspan="2" November 11, 2026Absolute Black CanaryPornsak PichetshoteBelén OrtegaJanuary, 2027
Collected editions Hardcovers and trade paperbacks #TitleMaterial collectedFormatPagesReleasedISBNAbsolute Batman1The ZooAbsolute Batman #1–6HC192TPB2AbominationAbsolute Batman #7–14HC224TPB3Devil's WorkshopAbsolute Batman 2025 Annual #1, Absolute Batman #15, Absolute Batman: Ark M Special #1 and Absolute Batman #16−18HC208TPB4The Straw ManAbsolute Batman #19−25HC208TPBAbsolute Wonder Woman1The Last AmazonAbsolute Wonder Woman #1–7HC208TPB2As My Mothers Made MeAbsolute Wonder Woman #8–14HC208TPB3Season of the WitchAbsolute Wonder Woman #15–20 and Absolute Wonder Woman 2026 Annual #1HC216TPB4HereticAbsolute Wonder Woman #21–26HC200TPBAbsolute Superman1Last Dust Of KryptonAbsolute Superman #1–6HC176TPB2Son of the DemonAbsolute Superman #7–14HC208TPB3The Neverending BeginsAbsolute Superman #15–21HC184TPB4Get BrainiacAbsolute Superman #22–27HC176TPBAbsolute Martian Manhunter1Martian VisionAbsolute Martian Manhunter #1–6HC160TPB2The AgencyAbsolute Martian Manhunter #7–12HC160TPBAbsolute Green Lantern1Without FearAbsolute Green Lantern #1–6HC176TPB2SojournerAbsolute Green Lantern #7–12HC176TPB3AnomaliesAbsolute Green Lantern #13–17HC152TPB4TBAAbsolute Green Lantern #18–24HC176June 1, 2027TPBAbsolute Flash1Of Two WorldsAbsolute Flash #1–6HC168TPB2Still PointAbsolute Flash #7–12HC160TPB3Mirror MirrorAbsolute Flash #13–18HC184TPB4TBAAbsolute Flash #18–24HC216TPBAbsolute Green Arrow1The Longbow KillerAbsolute Evil #1 and Absolute Green Arrow #1–6HC194TPBAbsolute Catwoman1The YarnAbsolute Catwoman #1–6 and Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow's Hand #1HC200TPB
Oversized hardcovers #TitleMaterial collectedFormatPagesReleasedISBNAbsolute Batman1Absolute Batman: Deluxe Edition Vol. 1Absolute Batman #1–14HC424Absolute Wonder Woman1Absolute Wonder Woman: Deluxe Edition Vol. 1Absolute Wonder Woman #1–14HC464Absolute Superman1Absolute Superman: Deluxe Edition Vol. 1Absolute Superman #1–14HC382
Reception Sales The first issue of Absolute Batman had a print run of around 250,000 copies and by the end of 2024, Absolute Batman became the best selling comic of 2024, with combined sales of first, second, third and black-and-white printings, selling just under 400,000 copies. Initial orders of Absolute Wonder Woman #1 received orders of around 150,000, and Absolute Superman having a print run of about 180,000 copies.
By February 2025, the line had sold over 2.5 million units.
With the second wave of the Absolute Line, Absolute Flash #1 was the best selling Flash comic since Flash #1 from 1987, getting over 180,000 pre-orders, along with Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 having sold over 120,000 copies.
As of December 2025, the Absolute Universe line has sold over 8.5 million units, with Absolute Batman being the top-selling title at nearly 3 million.
In February 2026, DC Comics announced that 50 Absolute Universe issues (Absolute Batman #1–14, Absolute Wonder Woman #1–11, Absolute Superman #1–10, Absolute Flash #1–5, Absolute Green Lantern #1–4, and Absolute Martian Manhunter #1–6) would be reprinted and releasing in March 2026, with all receiving at least their third reprinting. The March 2026 releases saw Absolute Batman #1 receive its 11th reprinting.
Accolades +YearAwardCategoryNomineeComicResult2025Eisner AwardsBest New SeriesScott Snyder and Nick DragottaAbsolute Batman Kelly Thompson and Hayden ShermanAbsolute Wonder Woman Best WriterKelly Thompson Absolute Wonder Woman Best Penciller/InkerNick DragottaAbsolute Batman Best Cover ArtistHayden ShermanAbsolute Wonder Woman Best ColoringJordie BellaireAbsolute Wonder Woman Best LetteringBecca CareyAbsolute Wonder WomanAbsolute Superman Clayton CowlesAbsolute Batman 2026 Best One-Shot/Single Issue Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, and Meredith McClaren Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1 Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 Best Continuing Series Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, and others Absolute Batman Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, and Mattia De Iulis Absolute Wonder Woman Best Limited Series Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez Absolute Martian Manhunter Best Writer Deniz Camp Absolute Martian Manhunter Scott Snyder Absolute Batman Kelly Thompson Absolute Wonder Woman Best Penciller/Inker Javier Rodriguez Absolute Martian Manhunter Hayden Sherman Absolute Wonder Woman Best Cover ArtistNick DragottaAbsolute Batman