Jumping into DC’s Absolute Universe Comics
First up: Absolute Batman
Like most older comics fans, I originally read and collected print copies of individual comics. As I got older, and space for my multitudes of comics short boxes became a real logistical issue, I switched (mostly) to digital comics for my reading. I subscribe to both Marvel Unlimited and DC Infinites. While I enjoy the huge back catalogs in each, the inability to read newer comics right away can be frustrating. I finally gave in and upgraded my DC Infinite account to the Ultra level, which gives me access to digital DC comics 30 days after their print release. Ok, onward then…
I decided to read up on this new Absolute Universe that DC is promulgating by delving into the newest and possibly boldest DC reinvention since the last DC reinvention: DC’s new Absolute Universe (part of their All-In initiative).
Based on what I’d read and heard before reading the comics, it sounded like a cross between Marvel’s Ultimate line of comics (set in an alternate Marvel universe), and the pocket universe created by Franklin Richards, also in the Marvel Universe. But of course, neither Marvel nor DC would ever dream of imitating/copying/stealing ideas from each other, am I right True Believers?
Pre-Spoiler Comments:
Before getting into the details of this new Absolute DC Universe, let me give some non-spoiler opinions and commentary. Then we can get into spoileristic details on the stories.
In my humble opinion as a comics fan (both Marvel and DC, primarily), for fifty + years of comics reading, I think that a comic company trying new things and expanding their brand is, overall, healthy for the industry and good for fans, even if at first blush, fans don’t like it. I know that a lot of long-time DC fans, when presented by a new DC “reboot,” or “reinvention,” are like, “oh no, another universe-shattering DC Crisis that I must endure and try to survive…”
I often have that general feeling, but this time, after reading the initial All-In/Absolute comics plus the first few Absolute Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman titles, I must admit this is pretty interesting and overall worth reading and following. So far. My take on the DC Trinity’s first few issues are, thusly:
Absolute Batman: Interesting reinvention of his origins, allies, and enemies. Who his childhood pals are was an interesting surprise. At his core, though, Bruce is still the Bruce we know. So far, I give Ab Bats a B+ grade.
Absolute Wonder Woman: A much different origin story, with some very intriguing twists. Only a few issues in at this point, but I like it so far. Grade so far is an A-
Absolute Superman: Retooling his origins in terms of Krypton and his parents. So far, by Rao, I am loving it. The version of Supes we see in Earth fighting for truth, justice, and…worker’s rights (?) is very well-done, and harkens back in many ways to the original Golden Age Superman of the late 1930s. Solid grade of an A on this one so far.
Next up, a bit of background on the Absolute Universe titles and a closer look at the Absolute Batman comics. More in-depth commentary on Superman and Wonder Woman will be published in the near future.
Absolute Universe Creation
This was a DC Event covered in issues Suicide Squad: Dream Team #1 (May, 2024) through Absolute Power #1-4 (September-December, 2024). Including DC All In Special #1. There were also a lot of tie-in issues not central to the main story, but connected.
The events on Earth 0 from the "Alpha" story take place 52 days after the events of Absolute Power #4.
The Absolute Universe comes about after Amanda Waller's unsuccessful campaign to get rid of Earth's superhuman and metahuman population (Absolute Power #1-4), along with Flash's severing of Earth 0 (AKA Earth Prime) from the rest of the Multiverse. This led Darkseid to question his role within the Omniverse and set him on a quest that began with the construction of a Miracle Machine and the pursuit of the Spectre with the intention of merging with him. Instead, Darkseid merged with Aztar, the being behind the Spectre and, thus combined, he attacked the newly formed Justice League Unlimited at the Watchtower satellite. Darkseid died, as he intended, in order to successfully fulfill his destiny.
Reborn on The Elseworld (anyone else notice the intentional use of Elseworld, as a connection to DCs Elseworld stories, set in their multiverse?) Darkseid jump-started this newborn reality by infusing it with his negative anti-life energy, accelerating its development and negatively influencing its history. This caused this new universe to resemble the normal Prime Earth but our heroes end up lacking important aspects of their traditional characteristics. By the 31st century, as seen through the eyes of Booster Gold, this new Alpha World came to resemble Apokolips, and Darkseid ruled with the help of his dark Legion.
Tellingly, as Earth 0/Prime runs on hope (think of the movie version of Superman’s big S symbol meaning “Hope” on Krypton), as embodied by the iconic figure of Superman, the Absolute Universe runs on a despair that is Darkseid’s modus operandi.
The Absolute Universe shows us Absolute versions of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Agent John Jones, and the Flash. All in (All-In?) situations that take away much of their iconic background and inherent advantages. In other words, new origins, abilities, allies and enemies from what we traditionally see with these characters.
Absolute Batman #1-6
I then read Absolute Batman #1-6. Interesting storyline. Bruce is not rich, his dad was a teacher. But dad WAS still killed by Joe Chill in front of young Bruce. Martha Kent (mom) is still alive and is Deputy Mayor in the James Gordon administration. And Bruce’s childhood chums, who he now meets at times for a poker game, include: Harvey Dent, Oswald (Ozzy) who has an “unconventional” career, Waylon (AKA Killer Croc in the normal timeline), and Eddie, who creates an AI he calls Riddler. Missing from the poker table is Selina, who we see in flashbacks in AB #3, who, as a kid, wears a hood with cat ears, has burglar-type skills, and has a horde of random cats she hangs out with. Alfred Pennyworth is a British merc who used to be in MI6, who is assigned to surveil Gotham.
The bad guys are a seemingly anarchic gang called the Party Animals. They wear skull masks that have a lot of advanced comms tech inside. Led by Roman Sciose, who we meet in AB #3. In these issues we see Bruce/Batman fight the Party Animals, with some help from Pennyworth. Finally managing to track down Roman Sciose and his weird criminal family, Bruce shuts down the Party Animals, with some help from his childhood buddies to whom he finally revealed his Batman identity.
However, the fun doesn’t end yet, since at the conclusion of AB #6, we see the villain behind Roman and the Party Animals. He is seen calling on his lackeys to unleash Bane on Gotham. Oh, and this new big bad guy…he looks a bit thin, and has very pasty white skin. Hmmmm….
The Absolute Batman series has me hooked, as do the Superman and Wonder Woman titles. Keep tuned to this Absolute Universe Substack channel, Bat/Supes/WW fans…
Resources and Links:
https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Absolute_Universe
https://dc.fandom.com/wiki/Bruce_Wayne_(Absolute_Universe)