The Biggest Problem With Every Absolute Book (Except Green Arrow)

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Absolute Universe offers a fresh, darker interpretation of beloved DC characters. Instead of focusing on Superman’s optimism, this world emphasizes the villainy of Darkseid, portraying heroes as small pockets of resistance rather than traditional defenders. To fit this grittier tone, the heroes themselves have been fundamentally changed, stripped of key elements of their identities and reduced to their core selves. For example, Batman no longer has his wealth or training, Superman wasn’t raised in a loving home, and Wonder Woman endured a harrowing life in Hell. This innovative approach to familiar threats has resonated with readers, leading to the series’ widespread popularity.

DC’s Absolute line has been a huge success for years, consistently topping sales charts. These aren’t just popular books; they represent some of the highest quality work DC has ever published. Each Absolute edition has something special to offer, and many are destined to become classics. While I’m a big fan, even I recognize they aren’t flawless. Today, we’ll be examining every Absolute comic and pointing out its biggest flaw – with the exception of Absolute Green Arrow, as only one issue is currently available.

6) Absolute Martian Manhunter Is Too Esoteric

Absolute Martian Manhunter stands out as the most imaginative book in the series. It quickly gained attention for its striking artwork and unique take on the Martian Manhunter. The story reimagines the character as a being of pure thought, leading John Jones on a mind-bending journey where the boundaries of reality become unclear. A central theme is John’s constant questioning of what’s real, which is both the story’s biggest strength and a potential drawback. The first six issues particularly excelled at balancing bizarre concepts with relatable human moments; even without the supernatural elements, the core story remains strong and easy to understand.

Okay, so the movie starts brilliantly, seamlessly blending the real and the supernatural. It really worked! But around the halfway point, things get… strange. Not just strange, but really abstract and confusing. I get why – it’s meant to mirror the main character, John, losing his grip on reality – but honestly, it made it hard to follow what was happening. The first half was perfectly balanced, with enough normalcy to keep you grounded, but the second half just throws you into a sea of weirdness. And while interesting, it sometimes feels like that weirdness actually hurts the story. You’re just left feeling lost, and not in a good way.

5) Absolute Flash Has Hurricane Pacing

The Flash is known for being incredibly fast, but his most compelling stories often take their time and allow readers to fully experience the moment. Unfortunately, Absolute Flash tends to rush through its narrative, even faster than the Flash himself. The first twelve issues aimed to establish the foundation for the series, introducing Wally and other characters and their world. However, the story introduces new plot points so quickly that it doesn’t give readers a chance to process what’s happening. This fast pace has negatively impacted character development, though recent issues have shown some improvement in this area, even if the problem isn’t entirely resolved.

4) Absolute Green Lantern Is Written For Trade Paperbacks

Absolute Green Lantern has created a rich and detailed backstory, completely rethinking the emotional spectrum for this new series. While the mythology it’s built is impressive, it often slows down the story’s momentum. The first story arc, for example, jumped between past events and the current fight between Jo and Hal – it was a great story overall, but frustrating to read issue by issue because neither part got enough focus. Issue #14 suffers from the same problem, pausing the main action for a detour to another planet. The world-building is excellent, but after waiting a month for a new issue, readers want to see the story move forward with the plotlines they’re invested in.

3) Absolute Wonder Woman’s Side Characters Need Developing

This Wonder Woman story is already considered a classic, and Diana herself is portrayed brilliantly. However, the supporting characters haven’t been developed enough. While Wonder Woman has a large circle of friends and allies, like Steve Trevor and Ferdinand, they don’t receive enough attention to become truly compelling. Characters like Gia, an Earth-based witch, have a lot of potential that hasn’t been explored. The story is setting up Barbara’s transformation into Cheetah, but their friendship hasn’t been shown in a meaningful way yet. For the betrayal to feel impactful, we need to see a strong foundation of trust and friendship between them first.

2) Absolute Superman Needs More Superman Villains

The most common criticism of this deliberately paced story is that Superman hasn’t fought enough of his classic enemies. While villains like Ra’s al Ghul, Hawkman, and Black Adam have appeared, fans are eager to see more of Superman’s iconic rogues’ gallery. It’s worth noting that Brainiac has been secretly pulling the strings throughout much of the series, and Superman has battled Parasite. An arc featuring Metallo is on the way, promising more direct confrontations with his usual foes, but for over a year, readers have been wanting to see a greater focus on Superman’s signature villains.

1) Absolute Batman Never Shows Us Batman’s Thoughts

This comic book took a bold creative risk by rarely showing us what Batman is thinking. Instead of internal monologue, we see Bruce Wayne’s thoughts through his behavior and memories, often filtered through the perspectives of characters like Alfred who don’t fully understand him. This subtle approach has led some fans to overlook the comic’s deep character work, mistakenly believing it’s all style and no substance. The story actually offers a rich portrayal of Batman’s psychology and his path to becoming Gotham’s hero, but it’s easy to miss because the visuals are so striking and the character development is so understated. It’s a great take on Batman, but it rewards close reading and attention to detail.

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2026-06-07 03:15