Published Jun 27, 2026, 10:00 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.
There is a case to be made that the success of the Absolute Universe is tied to a hunger for more "mature" stories. Well, there is certainly no doubt that DC Comics fans seeking something grittier than the main timeline will get what they want out of this imprint.
However, for every critique that praises the likes of Absolute Batman or Absolute Wonder Woman for its "dark" and "edgy" content, there are not enough that highlight these popular tales for their qualities beyond face value. Leave it to the universe's main overseer, Scott Snyder, to remind audiences what these stories really stand for.
Scott Snyder Says Absolute Universe Is More Than 'Dark' And 'Edgy'
On June 19, Scott Snyder made his first post to his Best Jackett Press substack blog in a while, on which he addresses recent discussions regarding the appeal of the Absolute Universe. He does not hold back from calling out critiques that only acknowledge these reinterpretations as "dark" and "edgy" takes on classic DC characters as "wrong."
For the celebrated writer, also known for his acclaimed horror comic books like Wytches and creating modern staples of Batman lore like the Court of Owls, the key to the Absolute Universe is about giving artists the opportunity to create stories that they are passionate about and reflect modern society by using familiar heroes as a base.
"... My feeling is that what makes the Absolute Universe really work is that it’s a group of creators making books that they believe in deeply, because they are trying to say something with those books. When I was going out to people, asking them to pitch for it or if they were interested..., it was not about 'what’s a cool edgy take?' or 'what can you do that hasn’t been done before?' or 'what’s going to shock someone?' It was more about, ''how can you make this character even more heroic and exciting to you, given the moment that we’re in right now?'"
Snyder goes on to cite examples of these unique approaches to the storytelling, such as Kal-El's fractured relationship with Earth after experiencing a full childhood on the doomed Krypton in Jason Aaron's Absolute Superman and Kelly Thompson's Absolute Wonder Woman introducing a Diana who was raised in Hell. Of course, he also can't ignore his own smash hit, Absolute Batman, which strips Bruce Wayne of his naturally born wealth, making him less emotionally isolated than a vigilante with a more privileged upbringing might be.
Snyder does not deny that the darkness and edginess play a critical role in the Absolute Universe, especially with the recent release of the slasher-centric Absolute Green Arrow. However, he insists that clouding the material is never the primary goal and that he and the other creators behind the imprint lead with their hearts.
What Is Going On In The Absolute Universe Lately
Image via DCFollowing his analysis of the Absolute Universe's true strengths, Scott Snyder's substack turns into a breakdown of the final scene of Absolute Batman #21. It depicts the first meeting of Bruce Wayne and Jack "Absolute Joker" Grimm V, which has become immediately regarded as one of the series' most essential moments.
He brushes against the popular assessment that it reverses the rivals' traditional power dynamic, while still honoring the nearly co-dependent nature of Batman and Joker's relationship, but goes even deeper into how Grimm represents Bruce's worst fears and most insurmountable obstacles. However, the author also teases that Absolute Batman will one day bring Absolute Joker down to size by becoming something neither of them could have expected.
Meanwhile, the one story related to the Absolute Universe more or equally as hot as the Absolute Batman animated series announcement is the conclusion to Absolute Martian Manhunter. Deniz Camp and Javier Rodríguez's refreshing reinterpretation of the Justice Leaguer, as a psychokinetic extraterrestrial who becomes parasitically bonded to a distressed FBI agent, releases its twelfth and final issue on July 1.
The recently released Absolute Catwoman, spun-off from Absolute Batman, also has its own spin-off due in September called Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow’s Hand #1. Speaking of spin-offs, the first major Absolute Universe crossover event, which will bring all the imprint's main heroes together for the first time, is set to launch in November.
All of DC's Absolute Universe comics so far are now available where comic books are sold.
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) · 