DC Comics’ best-selling Absolute titles received their own panel Saturday afternoon with a wide cast of creators including Scott Snyder (Absolute Batman), Nick Dragotta (Absolute Batman), Hayden Sherman (Absolute Wonder Woman), Pornsak Picheshote (Absolute Green Arrow), Rafael Albuquerque (Absolute Green Arrow), Che Grayson (Absolute Catwoman), and Jeff Lemire (Absolute Flash). The creators shared their excitement for writing in the Absolute universe and for the support of their fans while teasing upcoming developments for their series and characters. Universe architect and Eisner award-winning writer, Scott Snyder, began the panel by thanking the audience for helping the Absolute titles be successful.
Snyder gave a speech about the origins of the Absolute universe, “When I pitched the Absolute universe to DC, I was really passionate about what I thought it could be… I love the books and the creators that came in and they’re all friends and people that I respect and admire, and they came in with guns blazing, and the mission was just to pull these characters out of the context that we know them in, strip them down to the studs, and rebuild them in ways that made them even even more exciting to these creative teams that maybe would feel like you were putting them up against a world that they could, they could fight to make this third generation heroic in a new way.” Snyder continued by sharing that he went to DC Publisher, Jim Lee, and offered to help cover the loss if the Absolute Universe didn’t succeed. “I had this nightmare where I was like, what if this is the iceberg that sinks DC Comics?” Snyder concluded his opening remarks by stating that the fans are what made the new initiative successful, “You guys want daring, risky, bespoke, singular comics that are about things that matter to creators and matters to this moment.”
Moderator and DC editor Andrew Marino then asked Absolute newcomers, Pornsak Pichetshote and Che Grayson about the experience of writing in this world. Pichetshote voices his thankfulness for the fans’ excitement for Absolute Green Arrow while Grayson shared that they feel incredibly loyal to the fans that have been supporting their work. Grayson continued that what is most special is, “I got to make a version of Selina that I felt I could truly connect to.” Pichetshote then revealed that during the hiatus between Absolute Green Arrow issues 6 and 7, a new Absolute Black Canary one shot drawn by Belén Ortega will be released. Pichetshote also mentioned that issues 7 through 12 will act as a sequel to the first half of the series.
Marino then asked Absolute Flash writer Jeff Lemire about his approach to the series. Lemire stated that he wanted Flash to have a different feel from the other Absolute books, focusing on a teen character in the first half and then diving into “super science” in the back half. Lemire also revealed that in issue 20 of the series, Absolute Cyborg will be making their debut with more Teen Titans to come.
Halfway through the panel co-editor Katie Kubert took over moderating the panel while wearing a giant Bat-Axe which was given away during the show. Snyder took this time to thank his editors for their work on the line of books. Kubert then revealed the very first oversized deluxe editions for Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, and Absolute Superman. These new editions will contain the contents of the first two trade paperbacks and include additional back matter.
Kubert continued by revealing that issue 25 for the Absolute Trinity books will all be oversized with triple gate folding covers. Hayden Sherman, the artist for Absolute Wonder Woman, then revealed the first look at Absolute Cheetah, with Areas, Phobos, and Deimos also playing important roles later in the series.
Kubert continued with the issue 25 cover for Absolute Superman, stating that it will be the culmination of the Brainiac arc of the series.
Snyder and Dragotta then talked about issues 23, 24, and 25 building up to the first confrontation between the Absolute Batman and the Absolute Joker.
Kubert then asked the panel to give her an example of a crazy concept that was approved for the books. Picheshote jumped in stating that the entire concept of Absolute Green Arrow is something he never thought would be approved. Snyder sat quietly for a moment before replying, “I mean, kicking the kid,” with Lemire joking “I don’t think you can top kicking the kid… I’ll try.”
Towards the end of the panel, Lemire and Ortega were replaced by Frank Tieri and Francesco Francavilla for the reveal of Absolute Batman: Beyond Ark-M Special. According to Tieri this new special will dive into the other Arks run by the Joker and debut Absolute Professor Pyg.
The panel ended with Kubert asking who the creators might want to see in the Absolute Universe, adding, “personally, if Ambush Bug could come somewhere, that would make me very happy.” Snyder replied with Aquaman and joked about Condiment King, Pichetshote answered “Absolute Dial H,” others threw out Absolute Wildstorm, Absolute Demon (with Francavilla calling dibs on that one). Sherman ended the panel by adding that issue 23 of Absolute Wonder Woman may feature the debut of Absolute Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta.
Stay tuned to The Beat for more news from SDCC ’26.
