TheAbsolute Universe(AU) is an imprint ofAmerican comic booksoverseen byScott Snyderand published byDC Comics.The comics take place in ashared universedesignatedEarth-Alphaas part of theDC Comics Multiverse,featuring reimagined and modernized versions of the company'ssuperherocharacters from theDC Universe.
| Absolute Universe | |
|---|---|
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Genre | Superhero |
| Publication date | October 2,2024 – present |
| Main character(s) | Earth-Alpha/Elseworld |
The imprint is part of theDC All Ininitiative, debuting in the aftermath of the 2024Absolute Powercrossover event.It was launched that year with the publication of the ongoing seriesAbsolute Batman,Absolute Wonder WomanandAbsolute Superman.
Publication history
editThe Absolute Universe (AU) is an all-new continuity separate from theDC Universe(DCU) overseen byScott Snyderas part of theDC All Ininitiative.[1]The AU began in October 2024 with theDC All-In Special.The first titles released in the AU areAbsolute Batmanby Snyder with Nick Dragotta, andAbsolute Wonder WomanbyKelly Thompsonand Hayden Sherman, which both started publication in October. A third title,Absolute SupermanbyJason Aaronand Rafa Sandoval, is expected to debut in November.[2][3]OriginallyRafael Albuquerquewas set to illustrateAbsolute Superman,but had to pull out of the project due to severe floods in his home country ofBrazil,with Sandoval being brought onto the project in June 2024.[4]
Two new titles were announced atSan Diego Comic-Con2024:Absolute FlashbyJeff Lemireand Nick Robles, andAbsolute Green LanternbyAl Ewingand Jahnoy Lindsay, both set to debut in March 2025.[5][6]AtNew York Comic Con2024, the title ofAbsolute Martian Manhunterby Deniz Camp andJavier Rodríguezwas announced, also set to debut that month.[7]
Setting
editThe AU features previous concepts fromDoomsday Clock(2017–2019),Dark Nights: Death Metal(2020–2021), andInfinite Frontier(2021–2023). It is set in Earth-Alpha, also called theElseworld,one of the two pillars of the Metaverse, along with Earth-Omega, whereDarkseidused to be imprisoned. According to Snyder, while the DCU is "influenced bySupermanenergy ", the AU is" influenced by Darkseid energy ", making society treat superheroes asunderdogs.[8][9]
It is established onDC All-In Specialthat Earth-Alpha has been reshaped by Darkseid's essence as he's 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.[10]
List of titles
editPrelude
edit| Title | Writers | Artists | Colorists | Publication date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC All-In Special | Scott Snyder Joshua Williamson |
Wes Craig Daniel Sampere |
Mike Spicer Alejandro Sánchez |
October 2, 2024 | [2] |
Ongoing series
edit| Title | Issue | Writer | Artist | Colorist | Publication date | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Absolute Batman | 1– | Scott Snyder | Nick Dragotta | Frank Martin | October 9, 2024 | [2] |
| Absolute Wonder Woman | Kelly Thompson | Hayden Sherman | Jordie Bellaire | October 23, 2024 | [2] | |
| Absolute Superman | Jason Aaron | Rafa Sandoval | Ulises Arreola | November 6, 2024 | [2] | |
| Absolute Flash | Jeff Lemire | Nick Robles | TBA | March 5, 2025 | [11] | |
| Absolute Green Lantern | Al Ewing | Jahnoy Lindsay | March 12, 2025 | [12] | ||
| Absolute Martian Manhunter | Deniz Camp | Javier Rodríguez | March 2025 | [7] | ||
| TBA | Che Grayson | TBA | TBA | TBA | [13] | |
| TBA | Pornsak Pichetshote | TBA | TBA | TBA | [13] | |
See also
edit- DC Comics universes
- Marvel Comicsuniverses
- Other universes
References
edit- ^Schedeen, Jesse (July 31, 2024)."Why the Absolute Universe Is DC's Most Exciting Launch in Years".IGN.RetrievedOctober 18,2024.
- ^abcdeCronin, Brian (July 18, 2024)."DC Reveals First Three Absolute Universe Titles".Comic Book Resources.RetrievedJuly 20,2024.
- ^Polo, Susana (July 17, 2024)."Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are about to get alternate origin stories via DC's All In".Polygon.RetrievedJuly 20,2024.
- ^"The Design of Absolute DC: Rafa Sandoval on Coming to the Rescue on Absolute Superman".SKTCHD.RetrievedOctober 12,2024.
- ^Johnston, Rich (July 25, 2024)."DC Comics Announces Absolute Flash by Jeff Lemire and Nick Robles".Bleeding Cool.RetrievedAugust 10,2024.
- ^Will Salmon (July 27, 2024)."Absolute Green Lantern is writer Al Ewing's first series for DC and will be a" complete reimagining "of the concept, starring multiple Lanterns".GamesRadar+.RetrievedAugust 10,2024.
- ^abJohnston, Rich (October 18, 2024)."Confirmed: Absolute Martian Manhunter by Deniz Camp & Javier Rodriguez".Bleeding Cool.RetrievedOctober 18,2024.
- ^Salmon, Will (July 18, 2024)."Absolute Batman heads up the first wave of a new Ultimates-style universe as part of DC's All In comic book line refresh".GamesRadar+.RetrievedJuly 20,2024.
- ^O'Donoghue, Kate (July 18, 2024)."DC's ABSOLUTE Universe Is Finally Official: Get the Full Story & New Creator Details Here".Screen Rant.RetrievedJuly 20,2024.
- ^DC All-In Special#1. DC Comics.
- ^Salmon, Will (July 26, 2024)."Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and more DC heroes join forces to restore the Justice League in a new ongoing series from Kingdom Come writer Mark Waid".GamesRadar+.RetrievedJuly 27,2024.
- ^Salmon, Will (July 27, 2024)."Absolute Green Lantern is writer Al Ewing's first series for DC and will be a" complete reimagining "of the concept, starring multiple Lanterns".GamesRadar+.RetrievedJuly 27,2024.
- ^abMacDonald, Heidi (2024-07-09)."Syndicated Comics".The Beat.Retrieved2024-10-24.