A Year of Absolutes (A Recap of DC’s Absolute Universe Thus Far)
From DC Comics
Absolute Martian Manhunter Written by Deniz Camp Art by Javier Rodríguez
Absolute Wonder Woman Written by Kelly Thompson Art by Hayden Sherman
Absolute Batman Written by Scott Snyder Art by Nick Dragotta
Absolute Superman Written by Jason Aaron Art by Rafa Sandoval
Absolute Flash Written by Jeff Lemire Art by Nick Robles
Absolute Green Lantern Written by Al Ewing Art by Jahnoy Lindsay
One can’t really talk about 2025 as a comic book fan without raving about any and all of the fan favorite, impeccably executed, expansive alternate universe titles from DC that truly took their stride this year, with many stretching into Volume 2 and 3 of their respective runs.
For my own part, I have followed each and every one of these ingenious, inspiring series from the legacy publisher and offered numerous reviews (with the exception of Absolute Green Lantern, because damn it was hard to grasp what we were doing with that series for a while…) With the end of the year right on the horizon, I felt compelled to offer my perspective on the “current state” of each of these diverse comic titles, highlighting what makes them so unique and enthralling for the modern comic book audience.
In addition, just for fun, I am listing these in order of my personal preference in case you happen to be looking for a recommendation of what to read first!
WARNING! MINOR PLOT SPOILERS AHEAD!
Absolute Martian Manhunter
The saga of the iconic green faced telepath in the “Absolute” universe has certainly been the most surprising, inventive, and most approachable of the main universe titles. In fact, I think you could pick this comic up and read it without having ever been familiar with DC’s original Martian Manhunter, due to writer Deniz Camp and artist Javier Rodriguez’ cerebral, bizarre storytelling that offers far more questions than it does answers about the powerful alien entity we call “The Martian Manhunter.”
In fact, it wasn’t until the most recent issue (Absolute Martian Manhunter #7) which arrived after a short hiatus for the title, that our protagonist John Jones, had the sense to ask this iteration of the strange alien, “What are you?” This may sound like a narrative shortcoming to the uninitiated, but as someone who has followed the series to date, I can attest that the offkilter, painfully satirical, blunt yet bombastic style of Absolute Martian Manhunter is exactly what makes this title so effective. It is entirely fitting for the overworked and apathetic FBI Agent John Jones to simply accept and adapt to the fact that there is suddenly an alien living inside of his head rather than freak out and ask a bunch of inane questions. Instead of halting the flow of the narrative to get some grounding, we the reader along with Jones, are pulled into a psychedelic fever dream in which we are left wondering what is real and what is imagined right up until the last page.
Throughout Deniz Camp’s work to date (manifested from a meteoric rise to the forefront of multiple publishing companies major titles) he has explored poignant and relevant themes, reflecting the deeper moral issues and apocryphal sentiments plaguing modern society. An admirable and capable approach to comic book storytelling that is perhaps best represented within the pages of Absolute Martian Manhunter. Which leads me to why this series is my favorite of the bunch- This is NOT your typical comic book story, this is something new. Absolute Martian Manhunter forces the reader to confront complex, sometimes unseen inner truths and moral reflections, in profound and unexpected ways.
How does your environment affect your psyche? Do you really feel what you are feeling? Or are you just telling yourself to feel that way? What if the alienating, dogmatic beliefs permeating our daily media were to manifest themselves? What if you could see the emotions of those around you? Would it make you a better person? Why do people do the things they do?
And these are just a few of the expansive, thoughtful ideas put on display by both Camp and Rodriguez who have managed to create not just an entertaining addition to the new DC Comics landscape, but also a true moment in comic book history with this title. This is a comic book series that demands your attention, whether it be to thoughtfully explore its themes, or to patiently devour the absurdist artwork, or to physically interact with the pages as you hold it up to the light to reveal “Martian Vision,” which is perhaps the most inspired stylistic touch a major comic book has had in decades.
But what exactly is the story being told in Absolute Martian Manhunter? Well, as I have been alluding to, the major conceit of this new direction seems to be an interpolation of Martian Manhunter’s original appearance in DC Comics in which Martian Manhunter shapeshifted to appear as a human detective named John Jones. In the “Absolute” universe, the human Agent John Jones finds himself experiencing strange visions after an assignment gone wrong, slowly developing mind reading abilities and emotional sensitivity until discovering the manifested, playdoh-esque form of the Martian Manhunter living within his subconscious. From here, John Jones and the titular Martian have grown a tenuous alliance, if not a profound mutual trust, as they have waged a wholly unconventional battle against the agents of the sinister “White Martian,” an ill intentioned alternate of the altruistic Green Martian we are familiar with. This again is a reimaging of some of the classic elements of the original Martian Manhunter lore, which often returns to the xenophobic, morally corrupt battle between green and white martians as a reflective cautionary metaphor for humanity’s own prejudiced socio-political behavior. This reality bending conflict also led to one of, if not THE most, direct connection to the mainline DC universe with Agent Jones’ climactic vision through the eyes of the Martian of the primordial Darkseid binding the fabric of the “Absolute” universe together.
Though this series may not be the most overtly interconnected or superhero content forward, it certainly espouses the themes and intent of the entire Absolute Universe concept in an effortless, truly beautiful way, connecting it to the larger story at play even whilst being so dramatically aesthetically and artistically different from the rest of the bunch, which is no easy feat. Even if “reinvigorating interest” in specific legacy characters was only a partial or implied goal with the “Absolute Universe” launch, Absolute Martian Manhunter is a sterling example of how a new direction of storytelling and artistic rendering can attract an entire new generation of fans.
Absolute Wonder Woman
Out of the “big 3” characters in the “Absolute Universe,” Wonder Woman definitely saw the most dramatic revision to her character design (yes, even including “Swoll-Bat-Man”) and central mythos. On paper, that might sound like a recipe for fan alienation and overexplanation, but in practice- it has created the best version of Wonder Woman of all time (including the original, sorry Normie Diana.) Rather than meagerly sprinkling in fantasy elements to the spectacle of Wonder Woman comics as DC has been content to do in the mainline universe (in fact, most big spectacle Wonder Woman stories have unfitting Flash Gordon-esque sci-fi elements like Paradise Lost), Absolute Wonder Woman dives head first into the magical, mythic side of the character with a Diana who wields magic and communes with natural forces like a DnD character multi-classed as a Paladin Sorcerer.
What’s more the revisions to Wonder Woman’s traditional mythos, placing Diana as the last of the Amazon’s relegated to the Wild Isle in the outskirts of Hell, raised by the witch Circe as her existence is sequestered from the wrathful Gods, is simply a more enthralling story than the original. In this “Absolute Universe,” Diana must fight every day of her life to reclaim her story and uncover the truth about her destiny, rather than existing as the embodiment of myth in the modern era. Additionally, the character design from artist Hayden Sherman is impeccable- allowing the Absolute Wonder Woman to wield a giant sword, don realistic battle armor, show her flaws openly with her missing arm, and remain a champion of truth and hope in the universe without having to be her bright shiny main universe self. Despite years of proclamations, Diana of Themyscira finally feels like she is a warrior with her depiction in Absolute Wonder Woman.
However, the aesthetic and contextual changes are only the beginning of the full majesty of the Absolute Wonder Woman title, because the heart of this title derives from a truly palpable emotional narrative core from writer Kelly Thompson. Despite the relatively short time frame in which the series has been active, Thompson has created a comic book experience that feels truly timeless and essential, taking readers on a dense, epic journey that has slowly revealed more and more enchanting aspects of our titular character.
In the first volume of the series, the circumstances surrounding this new version of Wonder Woman were largely obscure, with scant glimpses into the backstory of Diana and Circe in hell, as the grown up Amazon orphan in the present, attempted to slay a titanic, fear feasting monster known as the Tetracide. One of the most refreshing aspects of this first volume was seeing just how capable, intelligent, and powerful the Absolute Wonder Woman truly was, allowing the reader to simply sit back and marvel at the rich horror and fantasy tinged scenes from Hayden Sherman as the Absolute Wonder Woman revealed herself to us.
Since then, readers have become acquainted with more of Diana’s past, seeing the arduous emotional and physical journey that made her the hero we need so desperately. Additionally, we have seen Diana acquire her own ensemble team and base of operations, before her long foray into the bowels of a labyrinth prison, and subsequent impossible escape. Throughout this journey, Thompson, Sherman, and guest artists have yet again not held back from the fantasy elements of Diana’s story, with the addition of Hades, Atlantean creatures, a Minotaur, witches, Gods, Demons, etc. This consistent, genre focused approach has allowed Absolute Wonder Woman to carve out a narrative niche in the “Absolute Universe” that is wholly distinct- and should have been the case for Wonder Woman comics in the main universe all along.
In the most recent issues of Absolute Wonder Woman, fans have been treated to glimpses at more recognizable figures in the characters catalogue such as Giganta and Cheetah, and even a major character from outside of the typical Wonder Woman rogues with Absolute Zatanna, which only makes sense in a story so heavily layered with magic. However, the most intriguing addition to the Absolute Wonder Woman saga has to be the inaugural “team up” issue featuring Absolute Batman. Though this union feels entirely too soon, I was pleasantly surprised by the consistent quality of this issue, which allowed both characters to shine in their own right, and did not tone down Diana’s magical, otherworldly story elements as I and many fans feared it would. In fact, this issue only reinforced the sentiment that Absolute Wonder Woman should be the appropriate leader of the “big three” in this alternate universe, as she gathers together Earth’s Mightiest to thwart the forces of evil who have had control for far too long.
Similarly, to Absolute Martian Manhunter, this series feels as if it is treading entirely new ground with a familiar character, creating a character that is lasting and powerful in the process. Absolute Wonder Woman is filled with fantasy spectacle, but it is the profoundly connected commentary Diana has to offer on family, love, authority, nature, heroism, and so much more that has clearly resonated with fans first and foremost.
Absolute Batman
It’s hard to say anything about Absolute Batman that hasn’t already been said, as the “flagship” of the “Absolute Universe.” However, I for one would consider this title a “grower” as opposed to an outright masterpiece. With its inaugural bombastic, disturbingly violent issue, Absolute Batman set the tone that this was going to be a different Batman story stylistically, but did not offer much in the way of thematic commentary. Sure, the circumstances and relationships of this universe’s Bruce Wayne were different, with strong connections to his childhood friends with familiar villainous monikers for fans in the know of the mainline universe, but the central goals of the “Absolute” Batman seemed largely the same. Despite this, the series quickly grew in popularity while also slowly peppering in detail and thematic weight until the saga reached what felt like a monumental climax in Issue #6. At this point, the heart of Absolute Batman was finally revealed. This iteration of Batman may feel familiar, but the Evil that he is up against is much stronger, more deep rooted and encompassing than ever conceived, and the prospect of victory slim to f@!$%*@! none. This thematic pressure was then even more overtly demonstrated in the proceeding arc with Absolute Bane, in which our hero lost almost everything he cared about and nearly his life.
Absolute Batman is a harrowing recontextualization of the famed Dark Knight’s mission against organized crime, centered on one mortal man’s inspiring, yet often hopeless, efforts to fight the fabric of evil itself. While the inherent premise of Batman comics may feel distant or narrowly implied to fans of the main universe character with an ever-increasing number of titles, the centralized tone of Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s work in Absolute Batman feels like a true rebirth of the character, allowing for fans to truly resonate with the character’s ethos for what feels like the first time in decades.
Moreover, as is the case for many of the “Absolute Universe” characters, the subtle changes to narrative use and character alignment of those figures included thus far in the series simply feel like the right changes. For one, tying together some of Batman’s most famous villains with a shared, centralized trauma with Bruce as opposed to already existing as separate foils to Batman’s one man moral mission creates an even more complex, character driven narrative that blurs the line of morality in an intriguing way. Moreover, with the introduction of Ark M and Bane, the torturous disfigurement and manipulation of all of these characters further complicates their relationship, isolating Absolute Batman as perhaps the ONLY character who could retain a semblance of himself after such an ordeal both psychologically and spiritually. Rather than reinventing Batman’s powers and abilities (though the flexible Bat-Cape and Bat-Axe are nice touches) Snyder’s saga seeks to reinforce the stakes and motivations of all of the major Batman characters in this new universe, and comic book fans are the better for it.
Absolute Superman
Superman is famously a difficult character to write with appropriate stakes. I mean, he is the strongest thing there is, how do you make the story seem exciting and the villains menacing when you know how the story should end every single time. I know that I am not alone in this manner of thinking carrying over into the “Absolute Universe” which made me approach the Absolute Superman title with trepidation. However, veteran writer Jason Aaron clearly considered this problem as well, and offered fans a solution in the way of narrative structure. “What if you didn’t know the story of Superman? What if you were encountering a person with these Godly powers for the first time?” These simple questions pervaded the early issues of Absolute Superman, allowing for the title to unfold in epic fashion, following a Superman who attacked from the shadows and hid amongst the common man rather than metaphorically (and sometimes literally) rising out of the darkness as an eternal beacon of light. The story of Absolute Superman has largely been dual fold as well, relaying the current reality of a younger Kal-El and his tragic backstory on Krypton as a poignant thematic reflection of the hubris and greed now poisoning Earth.
What makes Absolute Superman so compelling is its ability to starkly display familiar elements of the Superman canon without the messianic treatment of the character. Indeed, this iteration of Superman is flawed, selfish, frustrated, all of the things that the main line universe Superman has learned to overcome. Additionally, this Kal-El is untethered from humanity, having been stripped from his human family early in his development, rather than being allowed to peacefully live in Smallville. Thereby creating a Superman that is still questioning his place in humanity and questioning the good of our society in general. Reflexively, this in turn creates a powerful pervading question that I have never considered in reading any of the major main universe Superman titles: “Do we even deserve a Superman?” Similarly to Absolute Batman, Jason Aaron explores the notion of hope remaining in a vast ocean of wickedness created by corrupt governments, shadow corporations, and even other stranded aliens from the cosmos with the particularly vindictive Brainiac.
With all of these contextual changes in mind, the narrative structure and traditional action sequences of Superman are totally reimagined in the pages of Absolute Superman which plays out more like a science fiction tinged espionage political thriller than a big spectacle super-hero comic. Our rogue-like Superman wrestles with the fear of exposure up against his inherent guilt of isolationism in the presence of suffering. It now occurs to me in writing that perhaps all of the “Big 3” characters in the “Absolute Universe” were modeled after fantasy role playing classes with Absolute Wonder Woman as a Paladin/ Sorcerer, Absolute Batman as a Barbarian, and Absolute Superman as a Rogue/Monk, but maybe that is all just entirely circumstantial…
While the series originally began as a slowly unfolding look into the differing psyche and circumstances of the Absolute Superman, it has progressed into one of the action packed and streamlined “Absolute” titles with Absolute Superman facing off against one of the alternate universe’s primary “big bad’s” in Ra’s Al Guhl, a roster revision that feels entirely appropriate to the thematic commentary of this universe. However, this focused “versus” has also limited the series progression in comparison to other “Absolute Universe” titles that have begun to feel more fleshed out and expansive. With the kick off of a new story in issue #15, fans are sure to see more connective tissue grow with Absolute Superman and the greater “Absolute Universe” as Kal-El finally embraces his new identity as both a man named Clark Kent and the hero “Superman” along with all of the responsibilities both monikers carry.
What is abundantly clear from Absolute Superman is that the Superman story can still be powerful, thought provoking, and new when afforded the right perspective from capable artists. While this series is not entirely “remaking the wheel” so to speak in terms of Superman as a character, it certainly feels like the most earnest and humanizing Superman tale comic book fans have had in quite some time.
Absolute Flash
Perhaps the most consistently surprising title amongst the “Absolutes,” Absolute Flash by Jeff Lemire is an ensemble driven, ground up reimagining of the Flash story centered on a teenage Wally West’s harrowing escape from a clandestine military facility and its super power enhanced mercenary forces after being accidentally (or so we think) imbued with the power of the speed force in a lab accident with scientist Barry Allen. Lemire’s exceptionally written series unfolds like a cinematic epic, introducing a litany of familiar Flash rogues and tie-in heroes with clever revisions that make the world of the story feel lived in, richly recontextualized, and rewarding to fans of the main universe hero.
Unlike the other “Absolute Universe” titles, which seem primarily focused on adding demonstrably new additions to their titular legacy protagonists aesthetic and abilities, Absolute Flash instead feels like a genuine rethinking of what a Flash comic should be. I feel like the best comparison I can give for established comic book fans is that Absolute Flash feels similar to Marv Wolfman’s original intention for Nova as a cosmically powered comedic and action packed alternative to Spider-Man. In other words, the spirit and power mechanics of the main universe Flash are still largely the same in this series, but the universe and ensemble characters have been given more of the “Absolute” makeover treatment.
Furthermore, this title is on par with the “Big 3 Absolute Universe” titles in regard to elevating, centralizing, and expanding upon the themes of its central character in compelling new ways. In fact, this is the first time in my long history as a comic book reader that I can personally attest that the Flash “clicked” for me as a character. I attribute this renewed interest to the earnest way in which Absolute Flash presents its characters, all of which are ultimately victims of aggressive scientific experimentation, or simply caught up in forces beyond their understanding. Absolute Flash weaves these characters together in a mythical way, exploring the notion that all of these people are tied together by fate, represented beautifully through the iconic time warping power of speed itself.
All of which is connected to the series strongest facet in comparison to the main universe title, its tone. I and other new readers would contend that Absolute Flash works so well due to its sinister, cyclical, psychological and body horror thematic direction, which is certainly not at the forefront of the most popular Flash series. From issue #1, Absolute Flash sees Wally running from the literal ghost of Barry Allen after gaining the speed force, and then slowly coming to reckon with his father’s involvement in the bizarre experiments happening at Fort Fox. This story is as much a coming of age story as it is an action adventure tale, with Wally learning both basic survival and the responsibility accompanied with heroism along the way. Absolute Flash may just embody the grander premise of the “Absolute Universe” best in showing that life is filled with horrors beyond imagining, yet hope lingers after all.
Throughout the first volume of this series, it felt like another example of a disconnected or singular “Absolute Universe” title, concerned with establishing its own world and stakes. However, as the series has progressed to issue #10, Absolute Flash has finally begun to finally subtly answer larger questions as to its place in the grander scheme of things. With the revelation that Doctor Eleanor Thawne’s intention with the speed force experiments was to return to an alternate dimension her late grandfather discovered, with some very strong implications/references to Darkseid and Omega energy, it seems that Wally West’s journey may be more revelatory than initially thought. Leave it to world building comic book legend Jeff Lemire to gradually unveil his grand design and foundational keys to the “Absolute Universe’s” fate. Will Wally’s meddling in this cosmic, speed force realm inadvertently lead to repercussions throughout the “Absolute” titles? Or will Wally be able to return to the present time at all? All these exhilarating answers and more questions await in the future pages of Absolute Flash.
Absolute Green Lantern
When DC announced the addition of Absolute Green Lantern to the expanding AU, written by legendary writer Al Ewing no less, fans were understandably intrigued. However, the series has certainly taken time to unfold. It took until issue #5 of our tale, bouncing back and forth in time to moments before and after the “green lantern” incident that occurred in Evergreen City, for the full explanation of what exactly happened to our transformed protagonists to be revealed. What’s more, this series has the inherently difficult job of working in elements of not just one, but ALL of the major Green Lantern characters into the “Absolute” context.
Despite the slow pacing, this title has been an explorative journey for DC Comic fans, turning the classic concept of “the green lantern” into a dramatic cosmic horror tale, more akin to an HBO Series than a comic book title (fitting timing I suppose, as we eagerly await the Lanterns television series in 2026). Additionally, the artwork from the series by artist Jahnoy Lindsay has spiritually separated the series from other “Absolute” titles further, giving the title a much more modern, animated aesthetic that, personally, took me a while to get used to.
In the first arc of the series, readers watched Hal Jordan, possessed with a horrific black void like power as he attempts to distance himself from Evergreen City, where the alien entity Abin Sur, crash landed with a monolithic, alien Green Lantern. From there, we discovered the fate of other iconic Green Lantern characters like John Stewart and Guy Gardner who were apparently murdered by the alien invader, and Jo Mullein, who managed to survive with iconic “Green Lantern” powers.
While the slowly developing mystery of what happened in Evergreen and Jo and Hals’ arduous endeavor to stop themselves from changing is interesting, the series took on a whole new life in subsequent issues. Rather than continuing to focus on the “Green Lantern” mystery, the series shifted to a study of Jo’s history in the “Absolute Universe,” revealing intimate details about her character and relationships to the rest of the ensemble. Additionally, the story pulled back even further, with a venture into true cosmic territory with a loosely connected battle between other “lantern power” afflicted beings. These departure issues served to expand the potential of the title with the “Absolute Universe” after the narrow, specific focus of the first volume. Hopefully, this trend continues, allowing Absolute Green Lantern to connect more meaningfully to the larger stakes of the universe in which it is set. I for one would love to see some crossover into the Absolute Martian Manhunter storyline, which feels like a natural connection for two series delving into the strange, cosmic darkness of the artificially constructed “Absolute” universe.
Conclusion
The “Absolute Universe” is only just getting started, and with the promise of more interconnectivity between titles, and additions to the series roster, comic book fans should feel content with having their readership rewarded by DC Comics in the new year. Time will tell how all of these storylines shake up and evolve, but the original, consistent intent to break innovative new ground for some of DC’s most beloved characters is clear and, most importantly, valued by comic book readers.
