The 10 Best Moments In DC’s Absolute Universe, So Far

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DC Comics has ushered in a bold, exciting new world of comic book storytelling in the form of its all-new Absolute Universe. With the current lineup consisting of Absolute Batman, Absolute Superman, and Absolute Wonder Woman, the alternate universe comics have absolutely blown fans away thus far. With epic new versions of beloved DC characters, the Absolute Universe has gotten off to an excellent start.

The new Absolute Universe shows no signs of slowing down, either, as new titles like Absolute Martian Manhunter, Absolute Flash, and Absolute Green Lantern are on the horizon from DC Comics. While the mainline DC Universe can be somewhat daunting for fresh readers and new fans to get into, the Absolute Universe offers a continuity-free jumping-off point for people to get excited about. Shocking twists on characters that fans know and love, incredible art, and a sense that the stories could go anywhere has made the beginning of the Absolute Universe a joy for fans to read.

10

The Death of Thomas Wayne Serves As Absolute Batman’s Origin Story

Batman’s New Origin Story Recontextualizes His Father’s Death Through a Modern Lens

Acclaimed Batman writer Scott Snyder teams up with superstar artist Nick Dragotta in the pages of Absolute Batman #1, one of the very best first issues in recent DC Comics history. The opening issue of Absolute Batman perfectly sets up this brand-new world of a darker, crime-ridden Gotham City crying out for a hero. This new Batman, a working-class engineer instead of a billionaire, uses his wits and ingenuity to take on a terrifying new gang, the Party Animals. The first arc of the new series, titled The Zoo, refers to the context surrounding Bruce Wayne’s origins and the reasoning for becoming a crimefighting hero.

In flashbacks, Snyder and Dragotta reveal to readers that, during a school field trip to the Gotham Zoo, a gunman began opening fire on innocent people in the surrounding area. Thomas Wayne, Bruce’s father, and a simple schoolteacher instead of a billionaire doctor/businessman, shields his young students from the danger, and guides them into the zoo’s bat enclosure, a further explanation for Bruce Wayne’s affinity for the winged creatures. Tragically, Thomas is killed by the gunman, and Bruce Wayne becomes dedicated to making sure something like this never happens again.

9

Kal-El Is Revealed to Have Been a Young Pre-Teen on Krypton Before iIs Demise

Instead of Being Launched to Earth As a Baby, Kal-El Remembers the Time He Had With His Parents and Planet

In the pages of Absolute Superman, written by Jason Aaron with art by Steve Orlando, readers have experienced a brand-new kind of Man of Steel, a kind of hero that has not yet taken his place in the light. He is a hero that lurks in the shadows and does what he can for the working class people of Earth. He isn’t a symbol of hope for the whole world, he isn’t a boy scout with a wide smile and a signature spit curl. He’s a lonely, quiet drifter who wanders the Earth, helping who he can. Readers were curious as to how and why this Superman was the way he was, and the final moments of Absolute Superman #1 made it clear.

Instead of being jetted off to Earth, away from his dying world, as an infant child, Kal-El was instead a young boy on Krypton, alongside his parents, Lara and Jor-El, and his trusty dog, Krypto. This change, while seemingly insignificant in the grand scheme of things, reveals so much about how Kal-El processes the world around him, and the new responsibilities he has in relation to Earth. He is far less human than his mainline counterpart, having spent so much time on Krypton before its tragic demise. The reveal is an excellent way to get readers invested, and it reshapes the world of Superman for the better.

8

Wonder Woman Sacrifices Her Arm to Send Steve Trevor Home

The Last Amazon Uses Her Knowledge of Magic to Send Steve Trevor Out of Hell

Absolute Wonder Woman has perhaps been the book that surprised and excited fans the most. With jaw-dropping art from up-and-coming superstar Hayden Sherman and pitch-perfect pacing and dialogue from master writer Kelly Thompson, the book has been non-stop perfection since issue #1. With the opening arc of the book effortlessly shifting back and forth between flashbacks of Diana’s time in the Isle of Hell with her adopted mother, Circe, and the present day where she faces off against a terrifying monster, Absolute Wonder Woman has been packed with unforgettable moments.

Most notable among them is the moment where, in flashback, Diana uses her knowledge of magic and the occult to sacrifice her own right arm to send Steve Trevor back to the real world after he had been stranded in Hell. Showcasing her effortless empathy and goodness, this moment in Wonder Woman’s early days establishes her character in such a tangible way, and it allows for so much context to be built for her battle with the monstrous Tetracide in the present day.

7

Batman Reveals the Absolute Batmobile

The Working Class Batman Still Has Some of His Most Iconic Toys

In the final moments of Absolute Batman #2, Batman and Alfred find themselves stuck together after a building that the Dark Knight was investigating is surrounded by both Gotham City Police officers and the villainous Party Animals. With seemingly no way out, Alfred and Batman debate and discuss the effectiveness and morality of their work, all while Batman seems to be leading them somewhere.

When Alfred tells Batman that they need to get out of the building and that he has a car stashed around the corner, Batman remarks that he has his own way out…and that the pair is already standing in it. Suddenly, bursting through the building, and the blockade set up by the cops, an enormous, bulldozer-like Batmobile appears, giving the surrounded Batman and Alfred a way out from their predicament. The moment is a perfect example of the larger-than-life nature of Absolute Batman.

6

Superman Fights Peacemakers and Meets Lois Lane

The Young Superman Must Come Out of the Shadows and Face Off Against the Dangerous Agents of Lazarus Corp

Though the Absolute Universe’s version of Superman is younger, less connected to humanity, and more akin to lurking in the shadows, the events of Absolute Superman #1 force the Man of Steel out into the open, where he shows his might against the forces of Lazarus Corp, a mysterious group that oppresses groups of poor workers around the world.

With Superman facing off against Lazarus’ group of Peacemakers, fans were finally able to see the extent to which this version of Superman will go to save the downtrodden and the defenseless. Willing to strike fear into his enemies and take on the ruling class as a whole, this Superman showed off the abilities of his body and his bold-new suit and cape, each of which have their own unique abilities, before finally coming face-to-face with one of Lazarus Corp’s top agents: Lois Lane.

5

Wonder Woman Deafens All of Gateway City to Protect Them

Diana Uses A Wide-Reaching Spell to Remove Everyone’s Hearing and Protect Them From the Terrifying Tetracide

With Wonder Woman’s connection to magic and the occult so much stronger in the Absolute Universe, it makes sense that this version of Diana would be able to utilize what her mother had taught her in order to protect the people of Gateway City. With the gargantuan Tetracide approaching from the coast, Wonder Woman is forced to use her magic to deafen the entire city, lest they hear the Tetracide’s shrieking cry that lures anyone who hears it to their death.

The moment is punctuated beautifully by Wonder Woman’s address to a filming camera crew. She uses the news crew’s camera as a means of speaking to the entire city—as a means of reassuring them. She explains what she must do, and then she asks the crew to loop the broadcast instead of showing footage of the monster. This moment encapsulates what is so good about Wonder Woman, and this Absolute version particularly—her goodness and humanity is her greatest strength, and it is on full display here.

4

Batman Finally Comes Face-to-Face With Alfred

The Absolute Universe’s Version of Alfred Pennyworth Faces Off With The Dark Knight

The Absolute Universe’s Batman, of course, does not have a butler. Seeing as he did not grow up rich, this version of Bruce Wayne never had an Alfred Pennyworth to watch over him in the wake of his parents’ deaths. And while this Bruce Wayne still has his mother, Martha, alive and in his life, he has never met Alfred Pennyworth.

That all changes when Pennyworth is sent to Gotham by his mysterious superiors to spy on The Dark Knight. Learning his secrets and watching him work throughout the city, Alfred finally confronts Batman after a fight with the Party Animals. Batman makes quick work of Alfred, and escapes. Alfred eventually tracks Batman to one of his hideouts across Gotham, where the pair face off once again. Alfred underestimates Batman’s abilities, and is once again taken out by The Dark Knight—a feat that seemingly earns Batman the experienced Pennyworth’s respect.

3

Lara and Krypto Rescue Jor-El On Krypton

After Kal-El’s Father is Captured, His Mother and Pet Go to the Rescue

Absolute Superman‘s method of storytelling has allowed for flashbacks to the time leading up to Krypton’s demise to become one of the focuses of the book so far. The young Kal-El and his family are desperately attempting to get the attention of the upper-class members of the Science Guild so they can explain that the planet is dying, but to no avail.

When Jor-El is arrested and the fate of the planet is on the brink, Kal’s mother Lara takes a high-tech suit that she designed and leads the charge to rescue her husband. She and Krypto engage in epic combat with the forces of the Kryptonian ruling class, and save her husband. With so little time before their planet is gone, the El family rushes home, where they have a ship waiting to take them off planet.

2

Wonder Woman Battles the Tetracide

Diana Finally Faces Off With the Beast Attacking Gateway City

After assuring the safety of as many innocent people as she can, Wonder Woman finds herself finally confronting the monstrous Tetracide head-on. Using her myriad of weapons and magical abilities, the Absolute Diana enters an epic showdown with the monster. Magically growing her sword to giant proportions, using her trusty steed Pegasus as an ally, and finally using her magic lasso to transform herself, the battle is one of the very best in recent DC Comics history.

While some of Wonder Woman’s very best moments in the Absolute Universe have been quiet, personal ones so far, this epic confrontation shows off the Amazon warrior’s strength, spirit, and resolve in wonderful measure. It’s a fantastic sequence, and it perfectly climaxes the opening story arc of Absolute Wonder Woman.

1

Batman Takes On the Party Animals

Batman’s First Major Showdown With the Gang Is The Dark Knight At His Best

One of the very best things about Absolute Batman so far is the incredible way that artist Nick Dragotta handles action sequences. His dynamic rendering gives so much movement and weight to the fight scenes and action-heavy moments, and the first showdown between Batman and the Party Animals in the pages of Absolute Batman #1 is the prime example of Dragotta’s skills.

Showcasing Batman’s many tools and abilities—most notably his giant battleaxe attached to his chest—the fight is brutal, exciting, and incredibly well-paced. It showcases a more violent Batman, but still one who sticks to a code. He will not kill, but he has no problem maiming and breaking. It’s a refreshing take on the Dark Knight, but one that still retains the character’s spirit, and this fight will surely go down as one of Batman’s very best combat encounters in all of his long comic book history.

“}]] DC’s new Absolute Universe has been a smash hit with fans, and though it’s still in the early stages, there have been some incredible moments so far.  Read More