Published Jun 17, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT
Jason is an award-winning journalist whose writing career dates back to when he developed the ability to use a crayon. He, most notably, worked previously as a "professional fan," as he likes to call it, at CinemaBlend, for which he wrote about anything and everything under the pop culture umbrella... especially Batman. His passion for the art of cinema began even earlier, stemming from repeat viewings of The Wizard of Oz.
This initially led him to pursue a career in filmmaking -- and even work briefly in the industry as an extra in the straight-to-video family film, Alice Upside Down -- before deciding that his talents would be better served discussing and showing appreciation for the various forms of entertainment he is passionate about.
The specialty of the Absolute Universe is to reintroduce established DC Comics characters in wildly inventive ways. Creator Scott Snyder has done a phenomenal job sticking to that mantra so far, but there are two characters whom he has found especially challenging to reinvent.
Snyder admitted that he has been tinkering around with ways to incorporate Robins, Damian Wayne, and Carrie Kelley into the Absolute Universe. The beloved Boy and Girl Wonders came up during the acclaimed author's interview for the ComicPop Returns YouTube channel with host Sal Crivelli. He initially explained that Carrie's involvement in this timeline was mainly a matter of gaining permission.
Carrie Kelley originates from Frank Miller's seminal graphic novel, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year. The 13-year-old is one of the more unique characters to adopt the Robin moniker, seeing as her heroism was not born from tragedy, but a will to escape her mundane existence by assisting an aging Bruce Wayne after witnessing him in action first-hand.
"For me, the Robins like Carrie, I do have thoughts for Carrie Kelley, definitely. I've got to run them by [Frank Miller] because I would never do that without asking him. Carrie and Damian are the two that are kind of tricky because you want to stay with the ones that are more associated with Batman's mainline universe," Snyder said.
The origin of Damian Wayne, who was first officially brought into the mainline continuity by Grant Morrison and Andy Kubert in 2006, is also quite distinctive and, in fact, is the reason why Snyder claims his Absolute Universe debut is an especially "tricky" case. He explains that it would not make sense to introduce Bruce's biological son into the mix right now, seeing as how, in this universe, the vigilante is in his mid-20s and has never left Gotham, which would allow him the opportunity to meet Damian's mother, Talia al Ghul.
However, Snyder assures that he has come up with an idea to make Absolute Damian Wayne a reality that he feels strongly about. Yet, he also adds that fans should not expect to see him emerge until 2027 at least.
Scott Snyder Has Begun To Round Out The Absolute Bat-Family
Image via DC Comics
The wait for two of Batman's best sidekicks to make their way into the mega-popular Absolute Universe will be a long one, but not an overwhelming one. Besides, the Absolute Bat-Family is already in progress.
In April's Absolute Batman #19, Snyder and artist Nick Dragotta finally unveiled the Absolute Robins, who have been reinterpreted in ways that are perfectly on brand with the universe's mantra for stripping classic DC characters of their signature advantages. Instead of the young, working-class Bruce Wayne, these young, orphaned Gothamites were adopted by the wealthy Jack "Absolute Joker" Grimm, who also funds the Robin Program.
Under the supervision of Slade "Absolute Deathstroke" Wilson, Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Duke Thomas are tasked with hunting down The Dark Knight by any means necessary. The best-selling Absolute Batman #20 ends with the beginning of their first quarrel, which they initiate under the belief that he is responsible for the death of Jim Gordon.
Speaking of, one person who is not convinced that Batman is a murderer is the former Gotham City mayor's daughter, Barbara Gordon, who was introduced as a police officer in Absolute Batman #1. However, Snyder revealed that Barbara will become Absolute Batgirl in Absolute Batman #24, which is due in Sept. 2026.
Barbara is not the only Batgirl to make herself at home in the Absolute Universe. Absolute Catwoman #1 also saw the debut of this timeline's version of Cassandra Cain, who succeeded the moniker from Barbara in the main timeline. The character is now the star of her own upcoming one-shot spin-off called Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow’s Hand #1, which comes out on Sept. 9.
Absolute Batman #21 hits the shelves on June 17.
Created by Scott Snyder
Character(s) Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Catwoman, Green Arrow, Barbara Gordon, Bane, Ra's Al Ghul, Guy Gardner, Abin Sur, Lois Lane
English (US) · 