DC's Absolute Universe's First Major Crossover Has Arrived With A Catch

One of the most momentous occasions in the two-year history of DC's Absolute Universe occurred on July 1, 2026. One of the imprint's most revered titles, Absolute Martian Manhunter, came to a tearful end with only its twelfth issue.

Of course, the conclusion to the narratively and aesthetically refreshing sci-fi comic book is not all that made Absolute Martian Manhunter #12 a must-have release, as a certain celebrated trio of heroes was also featured. However, contrary to one notable assumption, this is not necessarily their inaugural grouping.

Batman, Superman, And Wonder Woman Appear In Absolute Martian Manhunter #12

Writer Deniz Camp and artist Javier Rodríguez's Absolute Martian Manhunter is, like all the best Absolute Universe titles, a wild reinterpretation of the eponymous classic DC Comics hero. It tells the story of married FBI agent John Jones and the unusual partnership he suddenly finds himself thrown into when he becomes bonded to a disembodied extraterrestrial through whom he gains psychic powers to help him investigate crimes in Middleton, Colorado.

It is with these newfound abilities that, in Absolute Martian Manhunter #12, Jones is able to "see" the activities of a few interesting parties from across the pond. Subsequent panels then show a twenty-something from Gotham City dressed like a bat, a "goddess" witnessing a break in reality that brings forth an ancient enemy in Gateway City, and a "man made of dust, stars, and sadness" distressed by bizarre changes in chemistry and language right before his eyes.

Frankly, it was not much of a surprise to see Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, and Absolute Superman in this landmark issue. Camp had already teased their Absolute Martian Manhunter #12 cameos on social media just days before the issue hit the shelves.

It is undeniably worth noting, and helps bring what many consider to be the crown jewel of the Absolute Universe in terms of overall creative quality so far to a more profoundly bittersweet conclusion. However, to say that these three characters had never been featured in the same issue before Absolute Martian Manhunter #12 is not quite accurate.

Absolute Trinity Has Appeared Before

The dawn of the Absolute Universe was ushered in by the 2024 release of the DC All-In Special #1, which saw Darkseid bring the timeline into existence, during which glimpses at Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, and Absolute Superman in action were presented. This was the debut of the Absolute Trinity, and it would not be the last time they were seen sharing the pages of the same issue.

DC All-In Free Comic Book Day from 2025 also featured the heroes, as did the supervillain crossover special Absolute Evil that same year. Plus, Darkseid brought them together in the third and fourth issues of the DC K.O. event.

Not to mention, two-thirds of the Absolute Trinity has even joined forces in an official capacity twice, the first time being when Batman helped Diana investigate a series of bizarre murders in Absolute Wonder Woman #15. The following month, in Absolute Batman #16, the Hell-raised Amazonian warrior helped Bruce find a cure for Waylon Jones' reptilian affliction on a tour of her childhood home.

Absolute Martian Manhunter #12 does tease the already confirmed major Absolute Universe crossover event that the Martian will play a pivotal role in. So, it is only a matter of time before things really start to heat up as the Absolute Trinity evolves into the Absolute Justice League.

Absolute Martian Manhunter #12 is now available where comic books are sold.