DC Comics are an absolute blast right now!
In 2024, it was finally time to tell a new story in the DC multiverse. Time and time again, we've seen the universe of the Justice League get reboot after reboot, with only small changes to the characters or the narrative. And even though nothing major changes, the sheer amount of pages and reruns makes it hard to get into.
Alternate universes have always been part of the equation. Injustice, for example, explored a universe where Superman was the villain. This time around, Scott Snyder created the Absolute Universe, where every member of the Justice League has an original and completely different origin story.
And instead of it being just its own contained comic, it is a connected long-running universe, where these new origins can be explored in full detail.
Absolutely New
Batman, for example, is no longer a rich guy, but rather a working-class man, who not only grew up in the same living conditions as his enemies, he was actually friends with all of them, when they were children. He also only lost his father, not both of his parents. It's changes like these that really intrigue me and feel like its own meal instead of reheated food from yesteryear.
Along with the changes comes one more revelation: This universe is way darker. One might think, that it can't get any more brutal than the harsh pavement of Gotham City, but Absolute Batman feels gritty, merciless, and brutal in the best ways. Batman still has his no-kill-rule, but will gladly chop off limbs if he has to.
And even though Batman looks like an absolute unit, the beautifully dark atmosphere and way more tragic themes is definitely made apparent with its new villain design.
Absolute Nightmare Fuel
Every Villain looks like they were reimagined as Dark-Souls-bosses or horror-movie-iterations of themselves. Every former friend of Bruce Wayne gets turned into an abomination or faces a horrible fate that traumatizes them. The writing is effective and the grotesque designs underline the tragedy and danger.
Now DC has teased what Batman's arch-nemesis, the Joker, might turn into over the course of the comic, and it is the most demonic and horrific version of the most iconic comic-villain we have ever seen. At the start of the comic, I thought this Batman could easily defeat his villains, given how jacked he is. But now I am no so sure anymore.
First look at Absolute Joker in the 'ABSOLUTE BATMAN' comic series. pic.twitter.com/BEv3nIN29c
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 19, 2025
This beast of a Joker will be revealed in issue 15 of Absolute Batman and hit shelves on October 10.
What are your thoughts about the Absolute Universe? Do you want to see these comics get turned into a show or a movie?