DC's Absolute Universe: Reading in Chronological Order

DC's All In publishing initiative is an exciting opportunity for top-tier creators to explore some of the most iconic heroes in the DC universe without the constraints of existing continuity. Led by industry veterans Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, the initiative includes the Absolute Universe, which follows up on the Absolute Power arc from late 2024. This ongoing arc introduces a new status quo for the beloved trio of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, promising to challenge fans' expectations of these legendary characters.

Since its launch in October, the Absolute Universe has been captivating fans with multiple ongoing series. However, keeping up with the event's timeline and characters can be challenging. Here, we provide a comprehensive guide to the chronology and reading order for DC's Absolute Universe in 2025.

Note: It's important to distinguish between the Absolute Universe titles and DC's "Absolute" collected editions, such as the new Absolute Batman: Zero Year. These are separate entities and should not be confused!

The Reading Order

For all ongoing series, begin with our suggested reading order, then follow the subsequent issues in release order. Each of the main Absolute series will consist of a six-issue run 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

This oversized one-shot by Scott Snyder serves as the cornerstone for the Absolute Universe. Start your journey here before diving into Absolute Batman.

2. Absolute Batman #1 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta

Launched in October 2024, Absolute Batman #1 marks the true beginning of the Absolute Universe. It offers a fresh, gritty take on the Dark Knight, exploring a world where Bruce Wayne isn't wealthy, lacks a high-tech Batcave, and doesn't have Alfred to keep him grounded.

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

Released at the end of October, shortly after Absolute Batman #1, this series reimagines Wonder Woman, turning Greek mythos on its head. Diana is portrayed as a formidable, heavily armed Amazon warrior on a quest for purpose.

4. Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval

Written by Jason Aaron, known for Southern Bastards and Thor, Absolute Superman examines how the Man of Steel would fare if he came from humble beginnings, making him more relatable to readers.

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

Kicking off the second wave of the initiative in 2025, Absolute Flash delves into Wally West's journey to master the art of speed, without the support of the Flash family or the Speed Force.

6. Absolute Martian Manhunter #1 by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez

The second entry in the 2025 wave presents a dramatic departure from the original character. FBI agent John Jones is slowly overtaken by a Martian, pulling him into a vast conflict.

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

This series reimagines the Green Lantern mythos, featuring four former Green Lanterns: 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

Currently, only the first three Absolute titles have announced release dates for their collected editions:

• 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

For now, this is all the Absolute Universe has to offer. However, we anticipate these stories may lead to a grand finale or event by the end of 2025 or beyond, with more heroes potentially receiving the Absolute treatment in the future.