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DC's Absolute Universe has become, pound-for-pound, the most popular superhero line in comic book stores. How? By taking its most recognizable characters and reimagining them for today's world, keeping all that matters, but being unafraid of changing the rest to meet readers where they are here and now. In the flagship title, Absolute Batman, they are doubling on that with the debut of a vicious new version of Poison Ivy with new monstrous minions to boot.

In February 18's Absolute Batman #17, series writer Scott Snyder and series colorist Frank Martin are joined by guest artist Eric Canete to bring Dr. Pamela Isley into this new DC Universe, while at the same time watching as the sinister Absolute Joker begins to stir in the shadows.

This is the beginning of a two-part arc with Poison Ivy and Canete culminating with Absolute Batman #18 on March 11, followed by the return of series artist Nick Dragotta as Batman teams up with the one-time Scarecrow, Doctor Jonathan Crane, to combat the Joker beginning in April 8's Absolute Batman #19.

Absolute Batman release schedule

If you want to get the big picture on when all the next Absolute Batman books are, we have you covered. Take a look, and why not pre-order through your favorite book dealer?

• Absolute Batman #17 release date: February 18, 2026
• Absolute Batman #18 release date: March 11, 2026
• Absolute Batman #19 release date: April 8, 2026
  
  

Absolute Batman collected editions

DC has already collected the first 14 issues of Absolute Batman in two collections, Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo and Absolute Batman Vol. 2: Abomination. A third collection is easily presumed to be forthcoming, but as of yet, DC hasn't announced it.

How often will Absolute Batman come out?

DC is aiming for Absolute Batman to be released monthly. To help with that, series artist Nick Dragotta is taking breaks between arcs with other artists filling in, such as with Gabriel Hernandez Walta on issue #4, Marcos Martin on issues #7 and #8, Clay Mann on issue #11, Jock on issue #15, and Eric Canete on #17 and #18.

How many issues are there in Absolute Batman?

Currently, there are 16 issues of the main Absolute Batman title out, with announced plans for new issues to be released monthly - at least through April. Outside of the main title, there have been two specials (Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1, Absolute Batman: Ark M), and titles in the broader Absolute DC Universe.

Here is a full Absolute DC Universe list of books:

• DC All In Special one-shot (2024)
• Absolute Batman ongoing series
• Absolute Wonder Woman ongoing series
• Absolute Superman ongoing series
• Absolute Flash ongoing series
• Absolute Green Lantern ongoing series
• Absolute Martian Manhunter 12-issue series
• Absolute Green Arrow 6-issue series
• Absolute Catwoman 6-issue series
• DC All In/Absolute Universe Special Edition (2025)
• Absolute Evil

What is the plot of Absolute Batman?

Forget what you know about Batman. In the Absolute DC Universe, Bruce Wayne is a 20-something blue collar construction worker who carries the trauma of seeing his father killed in a mass shooting years ago. As a terrorist organization known as the Party Animals descends on Gotham, Wayne goes to stop it under the guise of Batman - complete with a combat vehicle that you can call the Batmobile, but is really a retrofitted dump truck.

Successful in his first official outing, Wayne begins to regularly go out to save the people of Gotham through different actions, including investigating a mysterious black site constructed to house the most dangerous of criminals, and discovers that its been co-opted, with it now making Gotham's most dangerous even more dangerous.

What is the setting of Absolute Batman?

Absolute Batman still lives in Gotham, but it's even darker than you have seen it elsewhere - beginning with the lack of a Wayne Enterprises as benefactor and funder for someone like Batman. No Batcave, No Batmoney. In essence, every street is Crime Alley - and Bruce Wayne lives at the center of it. Whereas there was a time when James Gordon was the mayor, he was ousted with a corrupt replacement named Hamilton Hill in his place.

Is Absolute Batman a different universe?

Absolute Batman is set in a different universe inside the DC Multiverse and began with October 2024's DC All-In Special. This title co-exists in that Absolute Universe with other current titles bearing the Absolute moniker, such as Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman, among others. Although it exists in a separate universe, plans are already in place for it to crossover with DC Comics' main universe.

How old is Bruce in Absolute Batman?

According to an easter egg in Absolute Batman #1, Bruce Wayne was born on February 19, 2004, and the series is currently set in the present day of 2026 - making Bruce 21 years old.

Where can I read Absolute Batman digitally?

New issues of Absolute Batman are released simultaneously to their print debut on several platforms, including Amazon's Kindle and comiXology services. DC's own internal subscription service, DC Universe Infinite, adds issues of Absolute Batman several weeks after release.

He is vengeance, he is the night, he is... one of Popverse's favorite subjects. Learn how to do a Dark Knight movie marathon right with our Batman movie guide, and for the true World's Greatest Detectives out there, dive deep into the heart of Gotham City by getting to know Batman with Popverse. Here are some of our latest Batman stories:

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