How The Absolute Universe Enhances DC’s New 52 Strategy

DC Comics has reinvigorated its storytelling landscape in 2024 with the introduction of its Absolute Universe, featuring flagship series like Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, and Absolute Superman. These installments have met with considerable success, prompting plans for additional series including Absolute Martian Manhunter and Absolute Green Lantern. Importantly, this initiative is distinct from a full-scale reboot of the broader DC Universe.

The creation of the Absolute Universe marks a refreshing deviation for DC Comics, which has frequently engaged in reboots. One notable instance was the New 52, introduced after the repercussions of Flashpoint, a storyline crafted by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert. While reboots typically reset storylines to facilitate entry for new readers, they often alter essential elements of canon — a challenge that the Absolute Universe aims to sidestep.

Comic book art: Flash getting his powers back in an electric chair

Reboots usually introduce a clean slate for prospective fans, allowing them to engage without navigating a complex historical landscape. However, this approach can alienate longtime supporters by disregarding established lore. In contrast, the Absolute Universe provides fresh narratives while preserving existing continuity, making it easier to welcome new fans.

What Was DC Comics’ Vision for the New 52 Reboot?

Aiming to Attract a New Generation of Readers

And everything was about diversification, before “diversification” became a buzzword.

The New 52 sought to broaden its appeal with revamped origins for beloved characters, introducing stories that transcended the superhero genre, such as Men of War and I, Vampire. Launching 52 titles simultaneously, DC aimed not only for immediate financial success but also for future creative risks. Despite these ambitions, the New 52 received mixed reviews, though it did spawn several impressive titles worth exploring today.

Evaluating the Success of the New 52 for DC Comics

Best-Selling Titles, Yet Mixed Legacy

Comic book art: Superman breaking chains in the New 52.

The New 52 undeniably influenced DC Comics, although its legacy remains contentious. By resetting character histories, DC effectively negated decades of development, often at the expense of various characters and franchises, such as Wildstorm, which suffered considerable erasure after Flashpoint.

While the initiative aimed to diversify, many titles adopted a darker tone, which shaped the cinematic direction of Zack Snyder’s DCEU films. This tonal shift also extended to character redesigns; notably, some changes, like those made to Starfire, evoked criticism for being less progressive.

Despite the critiques, the New 52 succeeded in introducing comics that served as accessible entry points for new readers. Titles like Batman: The Court of Owls have become staples of DC lore and were reissued as DC Compact Comics due to their popularity. Many New 52 collections are among the top 100 best-selling trade paperbacks from DC, according to Penguin Random House, with several titles earning spots on the New York Times bestseller list.

The Absolute Universe: A Gateway for New DC Readers While Preserving Continuity

A Parallel Continuity That Enriches DC’s Narrative

Comic book art: Absolute Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman look forward. — Custom Image by Kevin Erdmann

While it’s premature to evaluate the enduring impact of the Absolute Universe compared to the New 52, both approaches share the goal of reimagining revered characters. Unlike the New 52, which integrated these fresh origins into the existing continuity, the Absolute Universe carves out a distinct narrative space. This allows newcomers to begin their exploration into DC without needing a pre-existing knowledge of the characters while providing longtime fans the flexibility to choose their preferred timeline.

For those venturing into the Absolute Universe, the inaugural offerings include Absolute Batman by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, Absolute Wonder Woman by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman, and Absolute Superman by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval, all currently available from DC Comics.

Just shy of its first year, the Absolute Universe has already established itself as a triumph, with Absolute Batman #1 recognized as the best-selling comic of 2024. This initiative promises to usher in a fresh audience with innovative interpretations of cherished characters, fulfilling aspirations outlined during the New 52 era without compromising the established continuity. Should trends continue, DC Comics seems well-positioned for a bright future, over ten years post-New 52.

Explore the Absolute Universe titles available now, with even more to come!

Sources: Polygon; Penguin Random House

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