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DC Absolute Universe Reading Order

A new alternate reality has recently emerged in the DC Universe. As part of the DC All In Initiative, DC Comics has launched The Absolute Universe (AU), an imprint overseen by Scott Snyder that tells stories set on Earth-Alpha and features new versions of of DC’s iconic superheroes.

Similar to Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, this Universe is friendly to new readers. You don’t need to have a PhD in DC’s complex history or its many crisis to enjoy these new comic series.

Ready to explore DC’s newest reality? Here’s a quick guide to the Absolute Universe and how to start reading.

The Dark Origins of The Absolute Universe

Amanda Waller is, without a doubt, an ambitious and dangerous woman. Famously known for her brutal and ruthless methods, she decided to use her authority and talent for manipulation to rid the DC Universe of all metahumans. She allied herself with the Brainiac Queen and Failsafe to manipulate public opinion and put into place a special task force dedicated to hunting down and depowering anyone with powers, starting with the superhero community. All of this took place during the Absolute Power event.

Naturally, our heroes organized, fought back, and—as you can imagine—won! However, it wasn’t without consequences. Barry Allen, a.k.a. The Flash, was forced to cut Earth’s connection to the rest of the Multiverse to stop Waller and her Multiversal army (as seen in Absolute Power #4).

The aftermath of Waller’s failed big coup created a new status quo for the DC Universe! It opened the way for Darkseid’s return—again. This time, our big villain has a big plan. He set out to find The Spectre and bond with him. But the divine entity resisted his control and sent them both to the Watchtower, where the Justice League fought Darkseid, leading to… his death.

He dies… and comes back to life, severed from his connection to Earth-0 (DC main continuity)—as he planned it. With his negative energy, he shaped a new world, one “driven by challenge, by turmoil… A world where heroes are born facing greater odds.” (DC All In Special #1!)… He shaped the Absolute Universe.

There’s a tendency to use similar names in the comic book world, which can be confusing. The Absolute Universe is a different story from Absolute Power and completely separate from DC Comics’ Absolute Edition.

Absolute Universe Comic Titles

As part of the DC All In initiative, the Absolute Universe—also known as Earth-α—was introduced in the DC All In Special one-shot by Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson. While this issue explains the origin of the Absolute Universe (see above!), it’s not required reading. You can follow any ongoing series without any prior background.

Ready to jump in? Click the comic titles to access the digital issues!

  • DC All In Special — Coming from Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson, this one-shot introduced the new status quo and the Absolute Universe.
  • Absolute Batman — By Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, and Frank Martin. No money. No Mansion. No Butler. Bruce Wayne is a blue-collar civil engineer fighting crime as Batman.
  • Absolute Wonder Woman — By Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman, and  Jordie Bellaire. No Themyscira. No Sisterhood. Diana has been raised in hell and acts as the Princess of the Underworld.
  • Absolute Superman — By Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, and Ulises Arreola. No Fortress. No Family. No Home. Superman has arrived on Earth as an adult and is fighting against The Lazarus Corporation.
  • Absolute Flash — By Jeff Lemire, Nick Robles, and Adriano Lucas. Without the mentor…without the family…without the Speed Force, what’s left is the Absolute Scarlet Speedster!
  • Absolute Martian Manhunter — By Deniz Camp and Javier Rodríguez. Beyond Mars…beyond physical form…beyond Human Understanding…all that’s left is the ultimate alien: the Absolute Martian Manhunter!
  • Absolute Green Lantern — By Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay. Without the Corps…without the ring…without the willpower, what’s left is the Absolute Green Lantern!
  • Absolute Evil — One-shot from Al Ewing and Giuseppe Camuncoli where the emergence of superheroes has caught the attention of the world…and of the people who run it. Ra’s al Ghul, Veronica Cale, Elenore Thawne, Hector Hammond, and the mysterious “Joker” have worked at cross-purposes until now, but this growing threat requires new ways of thinking…and new partnerships. 

Absolute Universe DC Comics Reading Order

DC Comics will release a trade titled All In Saga that, from far away, should look like a trade serving as a sort of entry point to the new DC All In Initiative, collecting the DC All In Special #1 and bonus material helping new readers to have a better grasp of the new status quo, of Darkseid, and a peak at the Absolute Universe. It is not that! It is a mostly random collection of issues that have no reason to be put together. Please don’t buy it!

As the Absolute Universe is relatively young and ongoing, this guide is currently following a publication reading order. As the AU expands, this will possibly change.

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