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 on the Absolute titles:
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
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 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 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.
Replies
AQUAMAN #1
It's official: The Sea King has Mera's hydrokinesis. (She appears in the issue to tutor Aquaman in its use, but does not appear to have retained her powers). Something mysterious happens in Atlantis, and Arthur goes to the new JLU satellite and wants to know where Batman is. (This should have been standard JL practice for decades. When you need power you ask for Superman. If you're facing a war, you ask for warrior/diplomat Wonder Woman. When you need a mystery solved, you ask for Batman. Not everybody is good at everything, so individual strengths should be recognized.) Batman and Wonder Woman accompany Arthur to Atlantis in bulky underseas suits, and he muses privately that they're there for moral support, as their abilities are extremely inhibited by the environment. He'll have to carry whatever fight they face. Again, individual strengths -- and this is Aquaman's book, after all, so give him his due. It ends on a nice cliffhanger, which I won't spoil.
As I said in this week's Comics Guide, I approve of beefing up Aquaman's powers, since he was always the weak sister not just in the Justice League, but also among his own Aqua-team. I hate that it's at the expense of Mera, but I guess they didn't want two water-shapers. I can see that it would lessen the impact of what Aquaman was doing if the person next to him was doing it, too. The book isn't Aquaman and Mera, after all. But still. Maybe this is temporary, and the Atom Project will change the status quo again.
I have already dropped all of the "All In" titles I sampled and have decided not to try any more. Although I am curious, I'm not particularly interested in this new direction and I'm reluctant to spend $4 on the first issue of a series I don't intend to collect and will read only once. The jury is still out on the "Absolute" titles, but it's not looking good. I plan to wrap all this up in a month or so. Currently I am reading (and enjoying, as silly as it it) the "DC Finest" edition of Aquaman - King of the Seven Seas. After that, I plan to move on to The Legend of Aquaman and the Death of a Prince tpbs.
I'm sorry to hear that. For my part I'm going to comment on a few more All In books that seem to be re-setting the status quo (Question: All Along the Watchtower, Atom Project, Black Canary: Best of the Best, Challengers, maybe one or two more), and the Absolute books for a while.
NEW GODS #1
Writer: Ram V
Artist: Evan Cagle
This is connected somehow to the All In universe AND the Absolute universe, but I'm not sure how just yet. (That only makes sense, given Darkseid's connection to the Absolute universe.) I forgot to say anything about New Gods #1 when I read it, and don't have it in front of me. But the thrust is that a child has been born on Earth that will be a New God. Metron warns that it will bring catastrophe, and Highfather assigns Orion to kill the child. Orion doesn't really want to, but he will follow orders. So he goes to Scott Free and asks him to escape with the baby before Orion has to kill him. He gives Scott a week before he has to do it.
There's more going on, but writer Ram V is introducing bits and pieces without explanation that I assume will be explained later, and that sort of thing doesn't stick with me.
NEW GODS #2
Writer: Ram V
Artist: Evan Cagle
The issue opens with some sort of gladiator with a lot of names, all starting with "Karok." He's apparently also the leader of his people, who exist in the "Breach-Beyond Expanse" in "Unknown Space." He's dedicated himself to destroying the "Source-born." He kills an "Esatrix" which he helpfully tells us is a Source-feeder. (It eats the energies that leak from the Source.) His powers are vaguely described, but they sound pretty nasty. He kills the Esatrix in a colosseum named Machynetorum, which Google translate tells me is "Battle Latest" in Greek. That's all we get, but I assume he'll be on his way to kill New Gods pretty soon.
And they do seem to be in a pickle. Izaya has a dream that sees the destruction of the New Gods. He wakes up, and Metron is there to pretty much tell him it's all going to happen, unless the New God on Earth is kiled.
that's our cue to check in on Scott Free, who has been spending the first few days of the week Orion gave him to enjoy his life with his wife Big Barda and daughter Olivia, called Liv, as in "Liv Free." But now he's suiting up to go find the kid. Barda's on to him, though, and insists that she and Liv come along. You don't say "no" to Barda, so that's the plan.
Back on Earth, we see an Indian couple with the New God baby. They found him in a temple and adopted him. In the last issue he destroyed a town by floating in the air and kind of exploding, so the couple are in hiding. Some Men in Black are closing in, though. They work for Maxwell Lord, who was awakened from a coma by Metron (which left an omega symbol on his forehead). He is chatting with Serifan, who has been living on Earth and seems a bit dissipated. Maybe he's snifffed one Cosmic Cartridge too many.
We shift to Apokolips, where DeSaad is nominally in charge, but faces insurrection from Mantis and Steppenwolf factions. Metron tell him about the coming apocalypse (ha!) as well, and says it will begin with an eclipse. Just then a space ship eclipses the sun, which contains Karok-with-many-names, who says "let the fall of Apokalips begin."
This is all very interesting, but not new -- we've seen the New Gods killed off before. And doggone it, I'd like to see them stick around for a little while! We've seen flashes of just about every named character from Fastbak to the Deep Six, and I'd like to see them strut their stuff for a bit! But this is only a 12-issue maxiseries, so I suspect not may will make it to the finish line before, inevitably, Orion kills Karok, and Mister Miracle somehow prevents the new New God from killing everyone.
Of course, Ram V could surprise me with a different ending. (We really could use a different ending.)
One thing that's occurred to me over the years is just how weak New Genesis is. We really don't see any named warriors except Orion. They have some sort of army, but I'd guess they're on the same level as the Hunger Dogs in the divine hierarchy. (And regular New Genesis citizens would be on a level with the Lowlies.) Orion is really their only big gun. Lightray is always shooed away as being too much of bleeding heart, and Mister Miracle doesn't seem to have any godly powers at all. Metron is a cross between Mr. Spock and Loki, and can't be trusted. Izaya just stands around looking sad. The rest -- Fastbak, Bug, Lonar, etc. -- don't seem to be warriors. Meanwhile, Apokalips is chockablock with heavy hitters. How has New Genesis survived so long?
I think that it was Lightray in "Jack Kirby's Fourth World #2" (1997) who points out that with Orion either dead or lost in the Source at the time, New Genesis ended up relying on another Apokolips-originated warrior as its chief defender (Barda).
Maybe deep down Darkseid is a real sport and does not like to take advantage of New Genesis's weaknesses?
ABSOLUTE WONDER WOMAN #4
Diana's battle with the Tetracide continues, and we get a little more world-building, in the sense of seeing how some of Wonder Woman's magic works. (She does a lot more magic than our Wonder Woman, who really doesn't do any, but does rely on magic tools.) We also get a better idea of the relationship between Diana, Circe and Hecate, although as is the norm in these days of puzzle-box TV shows, we get the answers to some questions, but we also get more questions. Bigger questions.
We also get a little more insight into Wonder Woman's missing arm -- which isn't altogether missing, since she has a mechanical one she says was forged by Hephaestus. Since we haven't seen any gods yet, that raises a lot of questions, too.
It's all very interesting, and the art is the most interesting of the three Absolute books. But I may be prejudiced, because I think Absolute Wonder Woman is the most engaging of the Absolute books.
CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN #1
Even though "Darkseid Was," Mr. Terrific doesn't believe it. His concern that death isn't something gods really experience is compounded by a variety of anomalies popping up all over the solar system.
Enter the Challengers. This iteration includes the classic all-white-male originals, plus June and a guy named Kenn Kawa that I've never seen before. He was apparently added in Steven Grant's Challengers reboot in 2011, which I never read. And I still haven't read him, because Mr. Terrific has assigned him to Renee Montoya's investigation over in The Question: All Along the Watchtower, so he doesn't appear here. I'll read about him in that title, I guess.
In addition to running the space station (Rocky had to fix Orion's septic system, to his dismay), the Challengers are there to watch for, and hunt for, signs of Darkseid. Each issue, AFAIK, will have a Challenger investigate an anomaly with one Justice Leaguer, who is there to provide muscle or expertise -- as Mr. Terrific explains it, the Challengers are in charge. Of course, when you're just human, and your "sidekick" is Superman, that can feel a little deflating.
Which is the case in the first issue, when Ace and Superman investigate an anomaly on Mars. (Miss Martian is already there, but plays little part.) Superman wears the purple Challengers jumper, which he said was his idea. The anomaly causes Ace to hallucinate other lives he could have lived were it not for the plane crash, including one where he's married to June, and another where he's a Green Lantern. Something is, indeed, afoot. He doesn't tell Terrific about his experience, preferring to confide in his fellow Challs.
That's partly because writer Cantwell doesn't avoid the elephant in the room: The Challengers are ordinary humans surrounded by superhumans. Of course that's going to make them feel small. (It seems to be hitting Rocky the worst, but I expect that is more plot point than characterization.) So there are trust issues. And they are justified: Mr. Terrific is keeping mission secrets of his own, such as what he suspects these anomalies are and where this is all going.
On Mars, they discover an unbreakable crystal that absorbs Superman's punches. His heat vision manages to affect one ion, and it is that which gives Ace his visions. And one thought he takes away is that maybe he and June have more of a future than he thought.
The second issue is out, but I haven't gotten it from my online shop yet. It stars June, Batman, Aquaman and the Sea Devils. Issue #3 is out Feb. 19, and stars Prof Haley and The Atom ( Ray Palmer). Issue #4 is Red Ryan and Green Lantern (Hal Jordan). Issue #5 is Rocky and Wonder Woman. Issue #6 hasn't been announced, but since all the Challengers have been used solo, I assume the whole team will appear together in this, the climactic issue. I'll report on these when I get them.
The first issue was pretty good, and I hope that it's as important to establishing the All In status quo as it appears. That's why I picked up this series, so fingers crosssed.
Somehow I got it into my head that the first storylines in Absolute Batman, Superman & Wonder Woman were going to be five issues each. After reading the first few issues of each, my plan had been to let them all complete their respective first storylines, then to read them in three "satisfying chunks." But I bought Absolute Batman #5 today only to discover that it is "continued" at the end. Also, I've read that #7 will be the debut of the "Absolute" Joker, so the first storyline may not end with #6, either.
I don't recall hearing about how long the initial storylines were supposed to run, but I really wasn't paying attention to that aspect. Since I'm not (yet) looking for a jumping-off point, I'll find out organically. I did have in mind re-evaluating at issue #12 of each the Trinity, but the slew of new Absolute titles may complicate that, especially if they start churning toward an Absolute Justice League in Year Two or Three. Darn these publishers, making me spend money!
CHALLENGERS OF THE UNKNOWN #2 (OF 6)
Way back in Showcase #7 (1957) June, a robotics expert, was called in by the Challs when a renegade German scientist (remember when that was a thing in comics?) created giant, sentient robot Ultivac (remember when that was a thing in comics?). Somehow June establishes telepathic communication with Ultivac and briefly joins the team when it appears Rocky is dead. (He gets better.) Something or other happens, Ultivac is destroyed, June does not join the Challs on their next mission (Showcase #11).
June does eventually join the Challengers, and I’m sure Ultivac returns at some point, probably several points, since villains (and giant robots) never die. Anyway, this book is almost a sequel! As they approach Ultivac, June once again has telepathic communication with the robot, which has been infected with “Omega Energy” and a love of death. The Challs wonder if they, too, have been infected with Omega Energy. Mr. Teriffic, who has isolated and imprisoned Ace after the first issue, wonders that, too, since he’s been listening in on Ace’s private conversations. (Even Batman says he’s not crazy about Terrific’s methods.) Terrific thinks Darkseid is in the back of all this.
On the personal front, the Challengers are getting more and more angry at the Leaguers, whom they feel are looking down on them. June notes that even Batman assumes an air of superiority over them despite having no super-powers. Later, she says, “You may be a superhero, but you’re one of us. Remember that.”
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #4
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #5
OK, this is pretty good. I have to say, my own fury against fascist billionaires like Elon Musk burns with the heat of a thousand, thousand suns, so Black Mask’s pitch has current-events resonance. (Although I doubt many would take him up on it in real life, out of fear of getting hurt.) We know Alfred will eventually come around, but in the meantime, Bats is alone (except for maybe a certain police officer).
But the most important part is that he has had a test of character, and passed. Even if Alfred (who has no character in this series) doesn’t see it.
WONDER WOMAN #5
And she has a lasso, but it’s not a Lasso of Truth. It’s a Lasso of Transmogrification … and that’s all I’ll say.
P.S. to Jeff of Earth-J: Diana's first storyline does end with issue #5. Batman's doesn't.
-
5
-
6
-
7
-
8
-
9
of 9 Next