Absolute Batman Reading Guide: Where to Start, Trades, and Is It Worth It?

Updated through Absolute Batman #23 — August 2026
Scott Snyder • Nick Dragotta (and guests) • DC Absolute Universe

Is Absolute Batman worth reading?

Yes. Pull it. It’s an incredible comic.

If you’re not collecting floppies and you can wait, get the trades or read it on DC Universe Infinite (the official DC comics app). Back issues show up as early as a month late, depending on the subscription tier.

Where should I start Absolute Batman?

Issue #1. Or Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo (#1–6).

Don’t jump in at #23. You can piece things together after a few issues, and it gets clearer as you go — you’ll still miss a lot. If you love it, you’ll want the whole run anyway. Start at the front.

I reread #1 after the series was more than 20 issues in. It still holds.

Do I need to read anything before Absolute Batman?

You don’t need other comics.

It does help to already know Batman. Pop-culture Batman is enough: the premise, a handful of villains, the usual faces. If you’ve never touched Batman at all, this is still a fine read — it might just be a weird first bite of the character. The more you know going in, the more you get out of it. A lot of the fun is seeing how this version of these people is different.

You do not need DC All-In Special #1 or Absolute Power. Those add context if you’ve been reading modern DC. They can also confuse you if you haven’t — lots of characters, lots of table-setting. Skip them until you’re curious.

Absolute Batman vs mainline Batman

This is a different universe running at the same time as the main books. The premise is simple: this world is built to make it harder for Bruce to be Batman.

You can read it with zero DC homework as long as that clicks. Knowing the regular cast deepens it. You don’t need the current Batman ongoing to follow this one.

If you can only add one Batman to the list right now, take Absolute. It’s well written even if you don’t know the mythos. You’ll just get less out of the remix than someone who does.

There is a minor tie-in with DC K.O. That doesn’t make this mainline continuity.

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Reading order (one list)

Read the monthly issues in order. Slot the extras here:

1. #1–6 — The Zoo
2. #7–14 — Abomination
3. Absolute Evil #1 — not required, strongly recommended. After Abomination, before the Annual, before #15 and Ark M. It’s the big-villain one-shot: context for the whole Absolute Universe, a look at this Joker, and it sets up Absolute Green Arrow.
4. 2025 Annual — not required. Best after #14. Earliest I’d go is just before #13. Later is fine; it just won’t feel as tied to what you’re reading.
5. #15
6. Ark M — not strictly required, very strongly recommended – best after #15
7. Absolute Wonder Woman #15 — not required. It’s part 1 of Batman #16 and provides minor context. First real crossover between the big Absolute characters.
8. Absolute Batman #16–18
9. #19–23 (and ongoing) — The Straw Man

That’s the whole map. If you only remember three extras: Evil after #14, Ark M after #15, Wonder Woman #15 before Batman #16.

The trades

Trade	Collects
Vol. 1: The Zoo	#1–6
Vol. 2: Abomination	#7–14
Vol. 3: Devil’s Workshop	2025 Annual + Ark M + #15–18 (hardcover listed Sep 8, 2026)
Vol. 4: The Straw Man	#19–25 (not out yet)

Vol. 3 does not include Absolute Evil or Wonder Woman #15. Those stay as singles (or Infinite) even if you’re trade-only. They would be collected in Absolute Green Lantern (Absolute Evil has the same author – Al Ewing) and Absolute Wonder Woman trades respectively.

Trades vs singles vs DC Universe Infinite

Reading only: trades or DC Universe Infinite (the app). Cheapest way to stay close to current without a longbox. The highest DC Universe Infinite paid tier gets you comics a month after release.

Shop ritual: pull the monthly. Valid, and the only way to stay 100% up to date, but this is also how the variant pile starts.

Collecting: first prints of #1 (and others) are the grails. Later prints can still matter — homage covers, signed copies, etc all have huge value currently. I have a signed Jae Lee 8th print #1 from Heroes Con. That’s a me book. It’s not a first-print Cover A.

There are also a billion variants that have huge value as well – many have small print runs (shop exclusives etc).

If you want floppies just to read, later prints of the story are fine. There’s variant fatigue on this title. A lot of covers are cool. There are also just too many. Buy what you’d still want if the spec died tomorrow.

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Issue reviews on this site

Related: Absolute Evil #1 · Annual #1 · Absolute Wonder Woman #15 · Absolute Catwoman #1 (spin off)

There isn’t a public review for every issue. Zoo and early Abomination were before I posted like this. I’ve read them, but I’m not going to fake/force those writeups at the moment.

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FAQ

Is Absolute Batman in main DC continuity?
No. It runs at the same time. Separate universe.

Is Absolute Batman good for new comic readers?
Yes — best if you have at least some general pop-culture Batman knowledge. No prior comics required. Zero Batman at all still works; you’ll miss some of the remix.

Do I have to read the Annual?
No.

Do I have to read Absolute Evil #1?
No. I would. After #14, before #15 / Ark M / the Annual.

Do I have to read Absolute Wonder Woman #15?
No. I would, right before Batman #16.

Where does Ark M fit?
After #15.

Is Absolute Batman too violent?
Darker and more physically brutal than a lot of modern Batman. If #1 feels like too much, the run does not soften.

Should I read this before the animated series?
The comic is the thing that exists. Start at #1 if the show announcement is what brought you here.

What’s in Vol. 3?
Annual + Ark M + #15–18. Not Absolute Evil. Not Wonder Woman #15.

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I’ll bump the “through #__” line when the next issue lands.
Already in? What issue pulled you? Tag me on X @NostalgicNestEg.

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