There have been rumblings for a while now that DC Comics is planning another reboot. Over the years, the publisher has overhauled the DC Universe on several occasions, all in a bid to drum up interest and increase sales.
Today, Bleeding Cool has shared additional information on the initiative being spearheaded by longtime Batman writer Scott Snyder. However, this will be a separate line from the main DC Comics continuity which is similar, but not identical, to Marvel Comics Ultimate Universe.
That started as a way of retelling the origin stories of characters like Spider-Man and the X-Men in a reality more like our own and without decades of baggage and hard-to-follow continuity. Recently, it's been relaunched again, this time in a world that, for years, had no superheroes (meaning Peter Parker has become Spider-Man in his 30s).
According to the site, DC's version will be called Absolute Comics (though it's also being referred to as "All-In").
Here's how they explain it:
"Bleeding Cool understands, however, rather than some single central creator-focused line, or something with a major editorial driver such as Dan DiDio's New 52 or Geoff Johns' DC Rebirth, this is intended to be more of a hands-off affair on Snyder's part, with the creators being given more of a carte blanche to achieve results, closer to the All-Star line, with major A-list creators on board."
Also rather than something separated from the main line like All-Star, the Ultimate Universe, or even Jim Shooter's New Universe back in the day, this will be something published in conjunction with the main line, part of a larger initiative that aims to spotlight DC's entire lineup. But there will not be a reboot or even a relaunch of the main line, that will remain intact and continuity (along with many creative teams) will continue on."
"This is most definitely being seen as an attempt to do New 52 right, alongside a DC Rebirth with a more holistic approach. That the team on DC All-In are aiming to give fans something bold while leaving alone what's already working. And I expect to hear more, a lot more, at San Diego Comic-Con this year."
It appears the idea is for Mark Waid's upcoming Absolute Power event to set the stage for this over the summer, with the line both new-reader friendly and something longtime fans - who aren't caught up or prefer a more classic interpretation of these characters - can also appreciate.
Again, details are scarce right now, but this may, for example, mean we'll get a Superman who isn't a father. That would bring the Man of Steel more in line with what we'll see in James Gunn's SUPERMAN next year...