Notice! This post contains SPOILERS for DC's Absolute Batman #1, Absolute Wonder Woman #1and Absolute Superman #1The first issues of DC Comics' new Absolute Universe have all been published, giving fans introductions to new approaches. Batman, Wonder Womanand Superman. Presented as underdogs in a world much more opposed to superheroes compared to the primary DC Universe, the traditional DC Trinity looks very different from what readers are probably used to. To that end, it will be very exciting to see how this new Trinity will work out when and if they meet and come together in this darker DC Universe.
DC's new Absolute Universe was created by Darkseid, also known as Earth-Alpha or “The Elseworld”. As confirmed by Darkseid himself, this new world sees the heroes representing chaos rather than being part of the world's established systems as beacons of hope. Hope itself is harder to find in this world, and the advantages or privileges that heroes like Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman typically have do not exist. To that end, it's very exciting to look back at each hero's first issue now that they've all been published by DC Comics, an intriguing launching pad to start thinking about how this new Trinity might interact with one another when and if they eventually meet in the Absolute Universe.
DC's absolute universe turns heroes into underdogs
Forged by the power of Darkseid
Having become a new dark center of the multiverse, Darkseid's Absolute Universe was designed to be a reality where the heroes are the underdogs. Pure survival is a factor for your heroes as much as anything else. As such, this resulted in much more brutal origins for Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman than what was established in the main DC Universe and continuity.
More heroes will debut in this new universe, absolute versions of The Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, Flash and more. That said, it naturally makes sense that Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman would be the first heroes to help usher in this dark new reality. After all, they are DC's “Big Three.” Likewise, the idea that the heroes are largely hopeless and operate as outsiders in this universe is well proven in these early issues of the Absolute Batman, Absolute Supermanand Absolute Wonder Woman.
The debut issues of Absolute Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman are truly epic
Each is an intense force to be reckoned with
As seen in Absolute Batman #1 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta Bruce Wayne doesn't have his usual butler, Batcave, or billions of dollars at his disposal. Having grown up in Crime Alley with those who would otherwise have been his thugs, Absolute Batman appears to be much more violent and brutal, willing to permanently maim and rip off limbs using a variety of low-tech gadgets and weapons, including spikes on his body. . shoulders and an ax for chopping off limbs. Batman's all-out war on crime appears to be much more dangerous as he is forced to use whatever is available against a group of truly horrific villains.
About that, Absolute Wonder Woman #1 by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman reveals that Princess Diana was born in Hell, and not with her fellow Amazons, all imprisoned by Zeus. Created by Circe, Absolute Wonder Woman is still surprisingly compassionate, having befriended the various beasts, demons, and lost souls that came to kill her while she was growing up. Armed with an impressive sword and new magical abilities, Absolute Wonder Woman debuted as a brutal force to be reckoned with, known in this universe as The Princess of Hell and Witch of the Wild Isle protecting the world from monstrous Harbingers while riding a fire-breathing Pegasus.
Lastly, Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval portrays Kal-El as a lone hero who wanders the world, helping those who have been oppressed, particularly by the Lazarus Corporation. Having spent his childhood on Krypton with his hard-working parents who were rejected by the Science Guild, Apparently, Absolute Superman was not created by the Kents in this reality, instead growing up alone on Earth with his living armor, Sol.. He also appears to possess additional abilities and limitations involving a more involved form of solar absorption. While the DCU's main Superman is powered by solar energy, the Absolute Superman is more volatile (and vulnerable) like a living solar battery.
I don't think I'll be able to handle DC's Absolute Trinity
When will they join forces?
Clearly, each of the new heroes in DC's Absolute Universe is a shade darker and certainly more intense than their primary DCU counterparts. To that end, we can only imagine how they would work together as a team. Assuming teams and alliances are still possible in Darkseid's new universe, the hope would be for the Absolute Trinity to reunite and join forces later, perhaps before a larger Absolute Justice League story is told. That said, we're only in the first few issues of each hero, so it could still be some time before all three Absolute heroes can come together.
As exciting as these first few chapters have been, it's likely that each hero's initial arcs will need to be published before DC Comics even starts thinking about crossover stories and team-up tales. However, a future Absolute Trinity looks like it will likely be one of the most powerful and truly epic teams in the entire DC multiverse.
Absolute Batman #1, Absolute Wonder Woman #1 and Absolute Superman #1 They are all for sale at DC Comics.