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One of the best parts about being a Batman fan is that you’re never starving for great content. Matt Fraction’s Batman run is set in the mainstream DC Universe, where it’s telling an exciting story about the city turning against Batman. The sales numbers are good, and the reader reception is positive, thanks to some exciting story ideas like Joker as Hannibal Lecter and Oracle being arrested.

Then there’s Absolute Batman, which is set in an alternate continuity. The series reimagines Batman as a working class hero without generational wealth. The title, which is written by Scott Snyder and penciled by Nick Dragotta, has received praise for the way it’s redesigned Batman’s villains, especially the Joker. With its strong sales numbers and positive word of mouth, Absolute Batman might be one of the biggest success stories DC has seen in years.

“It’s a great time because there are so many different takes of him out there,” Batman writer Matt Fraction says during an appearance on the GateCrashers podcast. “It feels like everybody can get it. It feels like a really well broad menu with a lot of cool tastes and flavors on it right now. I love that Absolute and us exist at the same time. And that stuff that Scott and Nick are doing all of their fill-in guys, it just makes me competitive in the best way. I’m jealous and energized and excited and inspired and I just want to push harder and harder. And they could not be more different. You might as well watch Ben Affleck and Lego Batman. It’s a great time to be a Bat-person.”

Here's an update to date guide on the Absolute Batman release schedule.