After months of rumours (and a fair few leaks) about DC Comics launching its own version of Marvel's Ultimate Universe, those plans have finally been confirmed today.
When the Absolute Power event concludes this October, it will be followed by a DC All In one-shot, co-written by Joshua Williamson and Scott Snyder with artwork by Daniel Sampere and Wes Craig. That sets the stage for several ongoing titles to get new creative teams and introduces the Absolute Universe.
While specific details are being kept under wraps, it sounds like this world was somehow created by Darkseid and is, according to Snyder, a "dangerous, wild new planet" that will be part of "a bigger story that we'll be telling over the course of the next few years."
In the Absolute Universe, the heroes are the underdogs and their world is much darker, meaning, "They have to be tougher, they've got to be more resourceful, they have to shine brighter."
Absolute Batman will be spearheaded by Snyder and Nick Dragotta, Absolute Superman by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval, and Absolute Wonder Woman by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman.
In the main DC Universe continuity, Action Comics, Detective Comics, Titans, Batman and Robin, Harley Quinn, Nightwing, and Catwoman are all getting new creative teams designed to serve as jumping-on points for readers. However, those titles are not being rebooted.
"It's been awesome to work with Scott, Daniel, and We on this epic one-shot that shapes the future of the DC Universe," Williamson says. "Personally, it's been exciting, as this bookends the story that started with Death of the Justice League two years ago and begins a brand new chapter for the DC Universe! We've used this moment to create a massive story engine for DC's talented creators to take the ball and run with."
"All In is designed as a line-wide jumping-on point," Snyder, who returns to DC after a four-year absence, adds. "Every book will start a new epic story over the course of the fall: all the books in the main DC Universe, and a whole new line of daring reinventions called the Absolute Universe. DC will have every kind of superhero story you could want: blockbuster, wild, personal, daring, everything, all of it connected by a mega-story that starts in DC All In Special #1."
A broken world where Darkseid rules spearheaded by Scott Snyder? The (new) SnyderVerse lives!
You can learn more about DC Comics' Absolute Universe plans in the player below. We also have some new artwork highlighting this reality's Trinity.