DC's Absolute Universe: A Chronological Reading Guide

DC’s All In publishing initiative opens the door for top-tier creators to craft bold new stories featuring some of the label’s most legendary superheroes—unshackled from the weight of established continuity. Spearheaded by acclaimed writers Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, two of the industry's most respected voices in superhero storytelling, part of the All In initiative is the Absolute Universe, a groundbreaking evolution following the Absolute Power storyline that concluded in late 2024.

This ambitious new arc redefines the status quo for DC’s iconic trio: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. If you think you know these characters, prepare to be surprised. The Absolute Universe strips away familiar origin points and introduces fresh, grounded takes on their journeys.

The Absolute Universe has been rolling since October 2024, but with multiple interconnected titles launching across the year, keeping track of the narrative flow can be tricky. To help you stay on top of it all, here's a complete breakdown of DC’s Absolute Universe chronology and recommended reading order for 2025.

Note: Be careful not to confuse Absolute Universe titles with DC’s “Absolute Editions,” which are high-end collected omnibuses like Absolute Batman: Zero Year. These are entirely separate lines.

The Reading Order

To get the full experience, follow this recommended sequence and then continue with each title as it releases. Most core Absolute series run for six issues and will later be compiled into trade paperback collections.

1. DC All In Special #1

By: Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson, Wes Craig, Daniel Sampere
### DC All In Special #1

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Start your journey here. This oversized one-shot lays the foundation for the Absolute Universe, setting the stage for what’s to come. Written by the visionary Scott Snyder, it’s essential reading before diving into 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 officially kicks off the Absolute Universe. What if Bruce Wayne wasn’t born into wealth? No Batcave. No Alfred. Just raw determination and vengeance. It’s a gritty, grounded take on the Dark Knight that sets the tone for the entire line.

3. Absolute Wonder Woman #1

By: Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman
### Absolute Wonder Woman #1

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Released just weeks after Absolute Batman #1, this version of Wonder Woman breaks from Greek mythology and presents Diana as a battle-hardened Amazon warrior searching for her place in a world that may not need gods anymore.

4. Absolute Superman #1

By: Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval
### Absolute Superman #1

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From celebrated writer Jason Aaron (Southern Bastards, Thor) comes a more grounded Man of Steel. Stripped of his usual comforts and cosmic origins, this Superman must rise from nothing—making him more relatable than ever.

5. Absolute Flash #1

By: Jeff Lemire and Nick Robles
### Absolute Flash #1

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Kicking off the 2025 wave of Absolute Universe titles, Absolute Flash #1 explores Wally West’s struggle to master speed without the aid of the Speed Force or the Flash family. A solo journey filled with discovery—and danger.

6. Absolute Martian Manhunter #1

By: Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez
### Absolute Martian Manhunter #1

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This second 2025 release completely reimagines J’onn J’onzz. In this version, FBI agent John Jones is slowly being consumed by an alien consciousness, dragging him into a conflict far beyond anything he could have predicted.

7. Absolute Green Lantern #1

By: Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay
### Absolute Green Lantern #1

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A unique spin on the Green Lantern mythos, this story follows four former ring-bearers—Hal Jordan, John Stewart, Guy Gardner, and newcomer Jo Mullein—as they confront the aftermath of a crashed Green Lantern drone in a small town.

Upcoming Collected Editions

As of now, publication dates have been confirmed for the first three Absolute Universe trade paperbacks:

• Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo – August 5
• Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon – August 12
• Absolute Superman Vol. 1: The Last Dust of Krypton – August 19

While only these initial volumes have announced release dates, the Absolute Universe is expected to grow further in the coming years. Whether it leads to a grand finale by the end of 2025 or beyond, fans should expect even more heroes to receive the Absolute treatment soon enough.