You have to give credit when it’s due. The DC Comics’ Absolute Universe continues to be a thrill-ride. The Absolute Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman titles have all produced epic stories and the universe is just getting started. Absolute Flash (written by Jeff Lemire with art by Nick Robles) and Absolute Marian Manhunter (Deniz Camp and Javier Rodríguez), are the next comic books to debut in Darkseid’s terrifying version of Earth-Prime.
There aren’t normally crossover events in Elseworld stories, but the Absolute Universe isn’t like most universes. DC Comics seems to have plans to make it bigger than anything we’ve ever seen. It sounds like those ideas seemed to start with writer Scott Snyder.
Scott Snyder was careful with his words, teasing fans with what they can expect from the next wave of the Absolute Universe story during an appearance on the Comic Watchers YouTube Podcast in a way that didn't give too much away. As reported by Comic Book Resources, he said:
"We're planning, without giving too much away, but big spoiler, we're planning a second beat of that meta-story, a big event towards the end of this year.”
He also revealed there are long-term plans for the story, adding:
"I'm really excited about that, so I'll be involved in that, and then I'm re-upping now for another year to get to the big finale of that story in 26-27."
It’s ironic that Snyder originally wasn’t going to be part of the Absolute Universe team. Thankfully, writer James Tynion IV (Batman and Something is Killing the Children) talked him into it, telling him to “do the thing you're afraid of, you put this character up against your biggest fears, what's the thing that you think could really make a mark on the DCU?" Everything that James Tynion said is why Absolute Batman is a hit. It's a brave and bold take on a classic hero that people never knew they needed. Now it’s time for the crossover and hopefully the arrival of Darkseid.
If there’s going to be an Absolute Universe crossover, then comic book readers need Darkseid. Since the former Lord of Apokolips created this universe in his image (DC All In Special No. 1), he’s been missing in action without a trace. We do know that he has his own darker version of the Legion of Superheroes (complete with their own Brainiac and possibly Supergirl) and his omega symbol is on the Daily Planet. Meanwhile, all Booster Gold can do is look on in horror without Skeets or a way back to his home reality.
Something else to look forward to is Absolute Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman meeting for the first time. We've been waiting for it since the universe was announced. It could happen before the event in a one-shot or during their individual issues. Regardless, this universe's Trinity’s first gathering will likely be this year. Whether or not it’s friendly at first or starts in a fight remains to be seen. However, we can guess it begins with punches. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow to find out.
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