Just when you thought it was safe to venture into the ‘Absolute’ Universe from DC, they add two more books to their line-up!
GREEN ARROW AND CATWOMAN TAKE CENTER STAGE
Called by some “one of DC’s most celebrated publishing lines,” the ‘Absolute’ Universe is about to expand, as all growing ones do! Unlike the ‘New 52,’ which exploded on the scene and started out truly huge, this time, DC is taking no chances, introducing new characters along the way.
At the recent ComicsPRO event, DC released word that two new titles will be joining the comics already on the stacks, and they are interesting choices, to say the least!
First up, in May, is the six-issue mini-series with Absolute Green Arrow from the creative team of Eisner Award-winners Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque.
The following month, June, we’ll see Absolute Catwoman spin out of Absolute Batman into her very own mini-series. The team on this book will be Che Grayson and Scott Snyder, with art by Bengal.
A recent DC news release had a quote I wanted to point out: “These six-issue series introduce new threats, new mysteries, and new corners of the Absolute Universe as DC builds the next major chapter of DC: ALL IN.”
I think that sums up why ‘Absolute’ has hit the ground running so hard—to quote Star Trek, we’re going where no one has gone before, well, at least on some levels.
And it has been that way for years again. That is, until recently. DC became the “absolute” comics company, and they haven’t looked back.
ABSOLUTE CATWOMAN
I always like to start ladies first, so here’s the description of Catwoman’s new book: With all the wealth…with all the gear…with all the skills, she is the Absolute Apex Predator!
Here’s the full description of the title:
Selina Kyle has carved a good life for herself. Through her ingenuity and skills, she has become the greatest thief the world has ever known. With high-tech gear and weaponry, there is no place too secure for Catwoman. But when someone from her past comes knocking at her door, everything she has built begins to collapse. To survive, Selina must unravel a mystery that takes her across the globe and deep into the shadows of the Absolute Universe. Written by Che Grayson and Scott Snyder with art by Bengal, Catwoman bursts onto the scene in her first Absolute solo series.
Following her last appearance in Absolute Batman #14, this new comic book series picks up the threads Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta laid down in that main title, from the secrets of Selina’s past to her elusive ties to Black Mask.
Absolute Catwoman #1 arrives wherever comic books are sold on June 10, 2026. Bengal’s main cover will retail for $4.99 in the U.S., while open-to-order card stock variants by David Nakayama, Sozomaika, and Kaare Andrews, along with Mateus Manhanini’s 1:25 incentive variant, will each retail for $5.99 U.S. Bengal’s main cover will also be offered as a foil variant for $7.99 U.S., and a logo cover will be available.
(I still don’t think Selina is the best match for Batman of any universe, frankly. Wonder Woman, even the one supposedly from Hell, is more in line with Bruce’s character in any universe, in my opinion.)
I’m really interested to see what differences the team will bring to this version of Catwoman, so we’ll see!
ABSOLUTE GREEN ARROW
This is the one that intrigues me most of the two. After all, we saw Oliver Queen in the Absolute Universe die already, so just who is Green Arrow? Is it the zombie version of the millionaire? The description from DC is as follows: Without the trick arrows… without the money… without mercy, what’s left is the Absolute Hunter!
Here’s the full description of this title:
A serial killer is slaughtering corrupt billionaires, and the only clue to his identity is the green arrows protruding from the victims’ bodies. Executive protection specialist Dinah Lance, also known as Absolute Black Canary, is assigned to uncover the murderer’s identity as she investigates a list of suspects drawn from the ranks of DC’s most dangerous archers. Each one is uniquely connected to a recently murdered Oliver Queen. A deadly mystery unfolds in this urban horror reimagining of the Emerald Archer’s mythos.
Spinning out of the shocking events of Absolute Evil, this new comic book series brings slasher/horror storytelling to the Absolute Universe, exploring Oliver Queen’s past and the clues left behind in the wake of his murder.
See, this makes sense to me because arrows are short and puncturing-kinds of things, so creators have had to pull back on the violence with GA in the past. This version doesn’t seem to have any restrictions on him. Is he a zombie? Or is he something even worse? Only time will tell!
Absolute Green Arrow #1 arrives on May 20, 2026.
AND THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING…
Here’s more info on what is coming from DC that was included in the press release:
These new launches in May and June mark only the beginning of what is ahead for the Absolute Universe in 2026, as DC pushes its heroes into moments of absolute terror with more stories born from the darkest corners of the DC cosmos still to come, including an event mini-series launching in Q4 2026.
At the same time, DC: ALL IN continues its second act with additional creatordriven #1s and bold new directions for iconic characters. More DC: ALL IN titles, creative teams, and storylines will be revealed in the months ahead as DC builds toward a landmark year of storytelling across the DCU.
I had been hearing that several of the DC titles were changing creative teams and directions, like Green Lantern bringing back Kyle Rayner to lead the title… for now. I hope this doesn’t lead to people stopping on some books because, as I like to point out, every good jumping-on point is also a good jumping-off point.
I do hope that the Absolute Hawkman continues to make appearances in that universe. I’m a big Hawk-fan, and I wouldn’t mind seeing this hero through “absolute” eyes, at least for a while!
Anyway, it sure seems like Mr. Snyder has done a great job with DC’s “All In” and “Absolute Universe” books. And we haven’t even started seeing the new “Next Level” titles coming soon!
It is a good time to be a DC fan!
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