Why You Should be Excited for DC’s Absolute Universe

This October, DC Comics is launching a new initiative called All-In, and one-half of this initiative is a line of books aimed at revamping the classic heroes for a new generation called Absolute Universe. This is old fare for DC; their bread and butter have always been reimaginings, but this one has my undivided attention. This is interesting because I consider myself more of a Marvel person, but there’s a lot of energy around Absolute Universe and All In. Why is this initiative exciting in an already packed year of awesome comics?

Yes, this is no doubt DC’s answer to the Ultimate Universe at Marvel, but there is a lot more to it than that. First, in the initial announcement video, headed by writers Josh Williamson and Scott Snyder, they speak about the initiative’s intentions, clearly flying in the face of the widespread talk of superhero fatigue. There should be no question these two guys love superheroes. Pick up any issue of Superman by Williamson and you’ll find it on every page; it’s a joyous comic made by people who adore superheroes. Snyder needs no introduction; at this point, his name is synonymous with Batman. It’s clear these guys live and breathe comics, and that energy and passion are clear in every bit of messaging from this new era for DC. There’s real passion behind it, and it is infectious.

Second, the creative teams on the announced books. Every single team is a match made in heaven! Out the gate, we have Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta on Absolute Batman. That sentence alone is enough to sell me on the book. Dragotta is an art god. Perhaps best known for his work on East of West (co-created with Jonathan Hickman, published by Image Comics), but I’d urge you to look at Ghost Cage (also from Image Comics). It’s a three-issue mini that fell under the radar, but it’s among my favorite comics of this decade.

Next is Absolute Wonder Woman by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman. Those two names together give me goosebumps every time. Remember, in The Lion King, when the Hyenas are talking about Mufasa? “Uuuuuu say it again, say it again. Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman.“ Kelly Thompson is best known for Birds of Prey at the moment but her career is long and overflowing with excellent works. Just pick anything with her name on it. The same goes for Sherman but I’d urge you to look at the Dark Spaces books he did with Snyder over at IDW. It’s a vastly underrated but truly exceptional comic. Sherman is one of my favorite artists, their artistic choices captivate me. In Dark Spaces Wildfire, I was blown away by the complex layouts that were so fluid and easy to follow that, at times, I felt like a movie was playing in front of me.

Rounding out the initial Absolute Universe line is Absolute Superman by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval. Another team that I hear and can almost see the book. Sandoval is among my favorites doing work in the superhero space. Most recently, he was on the House of Brainiac storyline in Action Comics and Superman (written by Josh Williamson), but any of his work is worth your time. I don’t know that anyone does the fast-moving kinetic superhero action like he does. Layouts that unroll in front of you, and then they seem to wrap around you as you gaze upon them. Partner him up with Jason Aaron, and it’s a recipe for success. Aaron is also writing the relaunched Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and I’m not sure anyone has ever written Raph as well as Aaron. And that’s after one issue! I haven’t followed much of his career, but it feels like there’s a newfound energy and fire in his work that I’m not sure I saw in earlier things by him.

That’s three must-have comics right there, and yet that’s not all of them! Presumably, the others will launch in the new year, but we know that Absolute Flash, by Jeff Lemire and Nick Robles, will be speeding along hopefully sooner than later. Again, Lemire needs no introduction. Robles may be best known as a cover artist, but I’d recommend Behold, Behemoth, where they do interiors. It’s a stunning book penned by Tate Brombal and published by Boom Studios. It’s a horror book that has some truly incredible art. You may not know Robles by name, but I do not doubt that the work he’ll be doing with Lemire will be INCREDIBLE. The last of the announced books is Absolute Green Lantern by Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay, which just so happens to be the only book on the slate that features an artist I’m unfamiliar with. However, the first DC work by Ewing is exciting because he’s one of the best writers in cape comics, having spent a long time writing within the cosmic world of Marvel. Green Lantern is a perfect fit for him.

The last thing I want to say about these books is about Scott Snyder. As I said, he’s almost synonymous with Batman, and here he is, returning to the character. I’m sure that’s a choice he didn’t make lightly because his main run is so beloved by so many that it’s easy to understand there’d be some pressure. We are all going to compare it to what came before. It’s inescapable but also proves the point outlined in that initial announcement by Snyder and Williamson. They love superheroes and comics. That’s what this whole thing says again and again. I think it’s brave and inspirational to see Snyder return to Batman. It will no doubt be different, and he doesn’t have to do this. He could easily ride off into the sunset and never write another DC book again, but instead, he’s back, and he’s writing Batman. And maybe some folks will say this new run will soil his previous run, the same way some say Deadpool and Wolverine soil the movies that came before. Those people are missing the point. DC All In, like Deadpool and Wolverine, is a celebration of decades of work folks have put in. This is an invitation to a celebration. None of this is disposable or juvenile. And it’s surely not by accident.

I love comics and I love the creative teams that they’ve lined up for these books. It’s plain as day that these will be excellent books. Mark my words, just wait until you see these creative teams at work. Some of these artists may not be household names like some of the writers are but give it time. You’ll see.