It begins.
Next month, DC Comics will split in two. When "Absolute Power" comes to an end -- and we have a thread on that HERE -- something happens that creates, for lack of a better term, a new Earth-2. This new parallel universe will be published in DC's new "Absolute" line (not to be confused with their upscale reprints of the same name). Meanwhile, the "regular" universe is being described as having a, cough, rebirth of sorts, titled "All In." DC describes this as "a line-wide initiative combining an exciting, reimagined universe of DC’s Super Heroes and an ongoing line of core titles, featuring bold new directions for DC’s mainstay Super Heroes."
I am getting lots of info. Too much to just hang onto until October! It seems a shame not to share it. And then: Discussion! We bring to bear the Legion of Superfluous Heroes joint super-power of talking something to death! It will be awesome!
First, here's the information I have so far:
DC ALL IN SPECIAL #1
Written by SCOTT SNYDER and JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art by DANIEL SAMPERE and WES CRAIG
Cover by DANIEL SAMPERE
Variant covers by WES CRAIG and RAFA SANDOVAL
1:25 variant cover by JOHN GIANG
Foil variant cover by DANIEL SAMPERE
$4.99 US | 64 pages | Variants $5.99 US (card stock) | Foil variant $7.99
ON SALE 10/2/24
As Absolute Power ends (issue #4 on sale Oct. 2), DC’s All In initiative begins with a single-issue mega-event, presented as a startling, symmetrical flipbook!
Following the events of DC’s blockbuster storyline Absolute Power, the heroes of the core DC Universe have fought against the deep divisions in the world around them to usher in a new era of unity. And it’s just in time, too—because Darkseid has returned. Superman must gather every hero on Earth to hold the line against a very different version of the Lord of Apokolips, as they raise our cosmic defenses and prepare for war…and when the first blows land, the shock waves will ripple into every series in the DCU and shake the nature of their reality to its core!
But little do they know…the greater threat is still to come. For there is another Earth: the Absolute Universe. Here, DC’s biggest icons are coming of age with fewer advantages and facing greater opposition than ever before…while miraculously retaining the immutable heroism that has inspired fans for decades. But can they really protect the light that shines inside them when the world in which they live is hurtling toward a terrible destiny?
Co-written by Scott Snyder (Absolute Batman) and Joshua Williamson (Superman), the flipbook DC All In Special #1 features art by Wonder Woman artist Daniel Sampere when read in one direction and Deadly Class co-creator and series artist Wes Craig when read in the other direction. The 64-page one-shot features a main cover by Sampere, with variant covers by Rafa Sandoval, Wes Craig, and John Giang.
“The creation of the Absolute Universe is how I always imagined coming back to DC, and DC All In will be a great jumping-on point for new readers as well as lapsed fans to discover new stories to love and the chance to explore the new directions in store for DC’s core series lineup,” says Snyder.
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #1
by Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin
by Jim Lee, Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair
by Mitch Gerads
by Wes Craig and Mike Spicer
byIan Bertram
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and cover by NICK DRAGOTTA
Variant covers by WES CRAIG, JIM LEE, and MITCH GERADS
1:25 variant cover by IAN BERTRAM
1:50 variant cover by MITCH GERADS
1:100 black and white variant cover by JIM LEE
Foil design variant
$4.99 US | 48 pages
Variants $5.99 US (card stock) | Foil variant $7.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 10/9/24
Without the mansion…without the money…without the butler…what’s left is the Absolute Dark Knight!
Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta introduce fans to a new Batman with the release of Absolute Batman #1. In this iteration, fans will be introduced to a version of the Dark Knight that doesn’t have the money, mansion, or butler of his core-line counterpart. Readers will quickly find out what makes this the “Absolute” version of Batman when the debut issue, with colors by Frank Martin and letters by Clayton Cowles, arrives at participating comic book shops and digital retailers Wednesday, October 9. Absolute Batman #1 will publish with a main cover by Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin, plus variant covers by Wes Craig and Mike Spicer, Jim Lee, Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair, Mitch Gerads, and Ian Bertram (1:25).
Snyder launches this new universe with the release of Absolute Batman #1, featuring art by Nick Dragotta. In this iteration, fans will be introduced to a version of the Dark Knight that doesn’t have the money, mansion, or butler of his core-line counterpart. Readers will quickly find out what makes this the “Absolute” version of Batman when the debut issue arrives at participating comic book shops and digital retailers Wednesday, October 9.
ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #1
by Hayden Sherman and Jordie Bellaire
by Jim Lee, Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair
by Jeff Dekal
by Wes Craig and Mike Spicer
by Dan Panosian
Written by KELLY THOMPSON
Art and cover by HAYDEN SHERMAN
Variant covers by WES CRAIG, JIM LEE, and JEFF DEKAL
1:25 variant cover by DAN PANOSIAN
1:50 variant cover by JEFF DEKAL
1:100 black and white cover by JIM LEE
Foil design variant
$4.99 US | 48 pages
Variants $5.99 US (card stock) | Foil variant $7.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 10/23/24
Without the island paradise…without the sisterhood that shaped her…without a mission of peace…what’s left is the Absolute Amazon!
For Diana, there is no island paradise, no sisterhood to shape her, nor a mission of peace—so what is the purpose of an Amazon warrior in this new universe? Eisner Award-winning writer Kelly Thompson and breakout artist Hayden Sherman reinvent her from the ground up in Absolute Wonder Woman #1, with colors by Jordie Bellaire and letters by Becca Carey, on sale Wednesday, October 23. Absolute Wonder Woman #1 will publish with a main cover by Hayden Sherman and Jordie Bellaire, plus variant covers by Wes Craig and Mike Spicer, Jim Lee, Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair, Jeff Dekal, and Dan Panosian (1:25).
For Diana, there is no island paradise, no sisterhood to shape her, nor a mission of peace—so what is the purpose of an Amazon warrior in this new universe? Eisner Award-winning writer Kelly Thompson and breakout artist Hayden Sherman reinvent her from the ground up in Absolute Wonder Woman #1, on sale October 23.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #1
by Rafa Sandoval and Ulises Arreola
by Jim Lee, Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair
by Matteo Scalera
by Wes Craig and Mike Spicer
Written By JASON AARON
Art and cover by RAFA SANDOVAL
Variant covers by WES CRAIG, JIM LEE, and CLAYTON CRAIN
1:25 cover by MATTEO SCALERA
1:50 cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
1:100 black and white cover by JIM LEE
Foil design variant
$4.99 US | 48 pages
Variants $5.99 US (card stock) | Foil variant $7.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 11/6/24
Without the fortress…without the family…without a home…what’s left is the Absolute Man of Steel!
Writer Jason Aaron and artist Rafa Sandoval join forces to present a new Man of Steel with the launch of Absolute Superman #1. This Superman has no family, no Fortress of Solitude, and no home. Will he still stand for truth and justice in this new universe? Readers can find out when Absolute Superman #1, with colors by Ulises Arreola and letters by Becca Carey, hits participating comic book shops on Wednesday, November 6. Absolute Superman #1 will publish with a main cover by Rafa Sandoval and Ulises Arreola, plus variant covers by Wes Craig and Mike Spicer, Jim Lee, Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair, Clayton Crain, and Matteo Scalera (1:25).
Writer Jason Aaron and artist Rafa Sandoval join forces to present a new Man of Steel with the launch of Absolute Superman #1. This Superman has no family, no Fortress of Solitude, and no home. Will he still stand for truth, justice, and a better tomorrow in this new universe? Readers can find out when Absolute Superman #1 hits participating comic book shops November 6.
All three launch issues will also have a “foil design variant” featuring the new crests for each of DC’s new Absolute Trinity. Look for these at your local comic book store when Absolute Batman #1 publishes on October 9, when Absolute Wonder Woman #1 publishes on October 23, and when Absolute Superman #1 publishes on November 6.
Here are the "All In" titles that DC has identified so far:
BATMAN #153
Written by CHIP ZDARSKY
Art by JORGE JIMÉNEZ
Cover by JORGE JIMÉNEZ
Variant covers by TONY HARRIS & JEREMY CLARK and DAVID NAKAYAMA
1:25 cover by MARCO MASTRAZZO
1:50 variant cover by WALTER SIMONSON
Trick or Treat variant cover by KELLEY JONES
All In foil variant by DANIEL SAMPERE ($7.99)
$4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 10/2/24
Batman is back with a vengeance and Bruce Wayne’s new public initiatives have Gotham on the verge of finally becoming a great city! Does that bright future include the Riddler, who’s seemingly gone legit? Or the new, unnerving hero, Commander Star? And can Gotham survive the shocking murder of one of its greatest citizens?
The Dying City starts here with a case that only Batman can solve, but the answers may unravel his world and all of Gotham!
BATMAN #154
Written by CHIP ZDARSKY
Art by CARMINE Di GIANDOMENICO
Cover by JORGE JIMÉNEZ
Variant cover by TONY HARRIS & JEREMY CLARK and GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
1:25 variant cover by NICOLA SCOTT
1:50 variant cover by JAMES HARREN
$4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 10/16/24
Murder has rocked the heart of Gotham! Batman and Jim Gordon will have to piece together the clues and discover the truth, no matter how dark. Has the Riddler really gone legit? Is the Court of Owls involved? Meanwhile, public sentiment is turning against Wayne Enterprises’ public initiatives, with new hero Commander Star sowing the seeds of discontent.
SUPERMAN #19
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON
Art and cover by DAN MORA
Variant covers by SIMONE DI MEO, CARLA COHEN, and CHRIS SAMNEE
1:25 variant cover by BEN OLIVER
Trick or Treat variant cover by KELLEY JONES
All In foil variant by DANIEL SAMPERE ($7.99)
$4.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 10/23/24
THE MANY DEATHS OF DOOMSDAY!
Superman and Superwoman must deal with the return of the rampaging Doomsday and…wait…Superwoman?! After the events of Absolute Power, Lois Lane has new powers…but how long can they last?! And waiting in the shadows is one of Superman’s greatest enemies…the Time Trapper.
Jump on to a new exciting story arc that will shape the future of Superman!
WONDER WOMAN #14
Written by TOM KING
Art by DANIEL SAMPERE
Cover by DANIEL SAMPERE
Variant covers by DANIEL SAMPERE and DAVID NAKAYAMA
1:25 variant cover by STEVAN SUBIC
Trick or Treat variant cover by KELLEY JONES
All In foil variant by DANIEL SAMPERE ($7.99)
$4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 10/16/24
With the tide of the war against the Sovereign turning, Wonder Woman’s greatest love takes matters into his own hands with deadly consequences. Could Steve’s end be the beginning of Diana’s greatest adventure yet? Behold the birth of Trinity!
ACTION COMICS #1070
Written by MARK WAID and MARIKO TAMAKI
Art by CLAYTON HENRY and SKYLAR PATRIDGE
Cover by CLAYTON HENRY
Variant covers by WES CRAIG, EDDY BARROWS, and DANNY MIKI
1:25 variant cover by MARK SPEARS
All In foil variant by DANIEL SAMPERE ($7.99)
$4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 10/9/24
An otherworldly horror, tearing its way through Metropolis, has emerged from the Phantom Zone. Something’s wrong in the Zone—something terrible—and Superman must enter alone to find out what! From the pages of Absolute Power and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest comes a new Action epic unlike any you’ve seen before from the visionary creative team of Mark Waid and Clayton Henry!
Plus, the Woman of Tomorrow is here today! Supergirl Special’s Mariko Tamaki and Skylar Patridge return to bring Kara to the farthest reaches of space in pursuit of a mysterious threat only she can handle.
ACTION COMICS #1071
Written by MARK WAID and MARIKO TAMAKI
Art by CLAYTON HENRY, MICHAEL SHELFER, and SKYLAR PATRIDGE
Cover by CLAYTON HENRY
Variant covers by WES CRAIG and STEVAN SUBIC
1:25 variant cover by MARK SPEARS
$4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 10/16/24
Trapped in the Phantom Zone!
Investigating the ethereal prison created by his father, Superman finds himself helpless before the dreaded Phantom King. But what surprise reveal is in store for him? A clue lies in Superman’s teenage years!
Plus, Supergirl finds herself on trial as she comes face-to-face with the judge of the United Planets’ highest court!
ACTION COMICS #1072
Written by MARK WAID and MARIKO TAMAKI
Art by CLAYTON HENRY, MICHAEL SHELFER, and SKYLAR PATRIDGE
Cover by CLAYTON HENRY
Variant covers by WES CRAIG and IBRAHIM MOUSTAFA
1:25 variant cover by MARK SPEARS
$4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 10/23/24
The secret history of one of Superman’s oldest friends, Mon-El, is revealed…and his deadly connection to Xa-Du, the Phantom King, leaves Superman speechless! The Man of Steel’s mission into the corrupt heart of the Zone continues in the most shocking installment yet of the Action Comics weekly as the grand villain behind its peril stands poised to strike!
Plus, Supergirl finds herself in pursuit of an assassin seeking justice of their own!
ACTION COMICS #1073
Written by MARK WAID and MARIKO TAMAKI
Art by CLAYTON HENRY, MICHAEL SHELFER, and SKYLAR PATRIDGE
Cover by CLAYTON HENRY
Variant covers by WES CRAIG and IBRAHIM MOUSTAFA
1:25 variant cover by MARK SPEARS
$4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 10/30/24
It’s a race against time for Superman and Mon-El to prevent the lethal forces of Xa-Du and Aethyr from converging! But to save the present, the Man of Steel is forced to face the past! It’s the dramatic return of Krypton’s last son to his homeworld as the Man of Tomorrow voyages to the City of Yesterday!
Plus, Kara meets the being at the center of her quest! What could they have done to cause the whole universe to unite against them? Find out in the next thrilling chapter of Supergirl!
DETECTIVE COMICS #1090
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art and cover by MIKEL JANÍN
Variant covers by DAN PANOSIAN, BRUNO REDONDO, and TONY HARRIS
1:25 variant cover by ASHLEY WOOD
All In foil variant by DANIEL SAMPERE ($7.99)
$4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 10/23/24
Long ago, the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne changed Gotham forever. But there is something you never knew about the Dark Knight’s tragic origin, which has been lying in wait to strike at Batman ever since that fateful night in Crime Alley. And now, all these years later, this ghost of Gotham’s past begins to reveal itself.
Superstars Tom Taylor and Mikel Janín team up to bring you a Batman tale that will rattle the very foundations of the Dark Knight. Things may never be the same again.
GREEN ARROW #350
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON and CHRIS CONDON
Art by AMANCAY NAHUELPAN and MONTOS
Cover by TAURIN CLARKE
Variant covers by SEAN IZAAKSE and CLIFF CHANG
Black sketch variant cover
All In foil variant by DANIEL SAMPERE ($7.99)
$4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock)
ON SALE 10/23/24
This oversize anniversary issue features legacy numbering as writer Joshua Williamson closes out his acclaimed run on DC’s Emerald Archer. Oliver Queen faces the aftermath of his actions in Absolute Power, having done the unthinkable to protect his loved ones, and the ramifications of his involvement may have gone too far for his family and friends to forgive. This can’t-miss issue also debuts the opening chapter of Green Arrow’s next adventure, from the new creative team of writer Chris Condon (The Enfield Gang Massacre, That Texas Blood) and artist Montos (Green Lantern: War Journal).
Replies
Some quick thoughts off the top of my head:
After we talk about this a bit, I'll add the November solicits for Absolute Batman, Absolute Superman, Absolute Wonder Woman, Action, Batman, Detective, Green Arrow, Superman and Wonder Woman. I'll do more titles, if DC adds more to the "All In" club. Or you can just look at them HERE.
This strikes me as DC's "Ultimate Universe." Having said that, though, I find myself looking forward to the "Absolute Universe" in eager anticipation. It has been well over a decade since Flashpoint/New52 virtually drove me away from the DCU and I have missed it. I am in for DC All In Special #1 for sure, and also the "new number ones" for the "Big Three." Regarding the "DC Universe," all of it's titles are getting "matching" covers with white backgrounds, but so far I am committed only to Superman #19, Batman #153 and Wonder Woman #14 (well, I'm already reading Tom King's Wonder Woman). Action Comics #1070 sound tempting; I think I'll try that one, too. I may not have too much more to say until these titles begin to ship in October.
I don't think you're going to get much argument over the Absolute=Ultimate comparison. That's obviously what's going on here. Watch all those Abolute titles hit Ultimate numbers for their first issues. And yes, I will also getting most of the books you mentioned.
And I hear we're going to get an Abolute Flash and and Absolute Martian Manhunter. Curious about those!
OTOH, unlike Marvel, DC has already had a multiverse, going back to 1956 -- and they killed it. It seems a bit silly that after putting such an emphatic stamp on ending Earth-2, they keep bringing it back. I've lost count of how many times they've re-discovered the multiverse. Well, first it was 52 parallel universes. Then they discovered those were just the "local" multiverse.
And they have been exploring that. There's already multiversal Supermen and Batmen. What makes these so different?
In fact, I wonder if these Absolute characters are different ENOUGH. So Superman doesn't have a Fortress, so what? That was the case before 1958 anyway. His Kryptonian heritage wasn't really explored until the Silver Age. And didn't Grant Morrison already do a Superman who lived in a crappy apartment and didn't have a proper uniform?
Then there's Absolute Wonder Woman, who really doesn't look all that different. I hope she is, but I won't know until that first issue.
Oh, I think I should mention that Justice League Unlimited # 1 is scheduled for November, and almost certain to be an "All In" title. The cover shows the Big 5 (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern), only with Star Sapphire filling in for GL. Carol Ferris has been on a Hero's Journey in "Absolute Power," so here she is. Filling in the last two slots of the usual seven are Black Lightning and Captain Atom instead of Aquaman and Martian Manhunter. If you feel like something is missing ... it's the color green.
I've heard the next two Absolute titles are Flash (written by Jeff Lemire) and Green Lantern (written by Al Ewing). I might have heard about Martian Manhunter from somewhere too, but haven't seen any names attached.
I'm looking forward to reading these... but I might hold off on buying them, and just keep abreast of the Absolute Universe through DCUI. On the other hand, the mainstream DCU seems poised to get me to buy more titles on paper, including Action Comics, The Question, JSA, Justice League Unlimited, and more. (From what I've heard Waid say about JLU, it's a similar concept to the Justice League Unlimited cartoon series -- the JLU pretty much incorporates ALL the heroes in the DCU, to whatever extent they want to be involved. Each issue will have a few big-name members, and then a few lesser-known members chosen for a specific mission.
I'll also take a look at Titans (John Layman & Pete Woods is a really good team), and Green Arrow (likewise, I like Chris Condon's That Texas Blood, and Montos has done great work on GL: War Journal).
I think I should mention that Justice League Unlimited # 1 is scheduled for November, and almost certain to be an "All In" title.
An "All In" title or an "Absolute" title? As I understand it, "All In" refers to the established-but-ever-changing DC Universe and "Absolute" refers to the new "Ultimate" version. the "All In" series retain their pre-All In numbering and the Absolutes begin with "new number ones." I haven't read anything about Justice League Unlimited, but I have read about Green Lantern Civil Corps Special #1, which is an "All In" despite its numbering.
I've heard the next two Absolute titles are Flash (written by Jeff Lemire) and Green Lantern (written by Al Ewing).
At this point, I'm more interested in the all-new "Absolute" universe; I feel too far removed from the post-Flashpoint, post-Convegence, post-Rebirth, post-All In DCU. I'm looking for a fresh start, and I'm not at all convinced that "All In" is going to be it.
JLU is going to be an All In title, set in the regular DCU. I wouldn't expect a Justice League of any sort in the Absolute Universe until at least 6 issues of the main individual hero titles have been released.
That is actually what I thought. I realize, too, That you are obliquely referring to the "New 52" universe, in which the Justice League titled debuted at the same time as Superman, say, but was set "five years later." the concept sounds good, too. This is another one I'll add to my "try" list.
I said "almost certiain to be an 'All In' title," not because I thought it might be an Absolute title, but because DC only identifies six titles in October as "All In" titles: Action, Batman, Detective, Green Arrow, Superman and Wonder Woman. Justice League Unlimited arrives in November, and while the solicitation doesn't ID it as an "All In" title, I'm 99% certain it will be.
From my reading of the press release, ALL regular DC Universe titles are "All In" titles. (As the name would imply.) But since the first press release only IDs the six, it may be that other titles aren't there yet, and will be folded in as they reach the end of their current storylines, or when they're drawn in by the storylines of the existing "All In" title, or some other reason.
I'm probably overthinking this.
"...and while the solicitation doesn't ID it as an "All In" title, I'm 99% certain it will be."
Agreed.
I'm probably overthinking this.
That's what we're here for. ;)
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