Since the concept first rose to prominence in the mainstream comics of the ‘70s and ‘80s, the Multiverse has remained a complex and messy narrative device that’s introduced readers to new takes on beloved characters. One-off stories found in ongoing books like the What If? line or DC’s Elseworlds imprint were often unexpected twists that put characters in situations previously unthought of, like Spider-Man becoming The Punisher, or Superman growing up in the Soviet Union. However, the sensational overnight popularity of Marvel Comics’ Ultimate Universe (which began with 2000’s Ultimate Spider-Man) was the first indication that a continuous alternate universe could be just as successful as the main one.
Fast-forward 26 years after the initial success of the Ultimate Universe, and one of the biggest shakeups in comics has been the 2024 debut of the Absolute Universe. A bleak alternate reality birthed by Darkseid with the intention of creating a world where the very fabric of reality is designed in opposition to the existence of superheroes, the Absolute line launched with Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman before branching out to other characters like Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern. The praise and attention received by Absolute Batman has grown exponentially thanks to Scott Snyder’s writing and Nick Dragotta’s art, and now, as if proof of the series’ popularity reaching critical mass, an animated series is on the way.
