In 2024, Wonder radically reinvented its End continuity, while rival DC Comics presented its own version, the Absolute Universe. As a comic book store employee, I'm impressed with the success both publishers have had this year with End line of comics and the launch of Absolute brand, respectively.
What's been especially exciting to me as a comics fan - and comics retailer - is how effectively these two new continuities have targeted new comic book readers, hopefully converting many of them into lifelong enthusiasts.
I think it's worth taking a closer look at what exactly made the two Marvel films End DC comics and news Absolute print such incredible success stories over the past year. I'm sure both publishers are closely studying their success, and each other as well, to replicate it in the new year.
Marvel's definitive comics are a refreshing new take on a 25-year-old idea
The Ultimate Universe 2.0
Marvel Ultimate Spider-Man, Last X-Men, Ultimate Black Pantherand The latest everyone continues to keep fans actively engaged and looking forward to the next Ultimate Wolverine It's strong. With the successful relaunch of this alternate continuity imprint, Marvel set a high bar for the year that I wasn't sure DC could top. Now, it's safe to say yes. At our local comic shop, Absolute Batman and the other debuting Absolute series exceeded expectations, surpassing those of Marvel End comics in terms of subscribers.
Whatever the final sales numbers are, what I think is important is that both new continuities are bringing in a wave of new comic book readers. That was the purpose of the original End Universe, whose original version debuted in 2000, featuring younger versions of the publisher's most famous characters, free from the baggage of decades of continuity. The new version of End it is an innovative approach to that same editorial objective and has clearly been successful; Iin January 2024, Ultimate Spider-Man Issue #1 hit the shelves and barely lasted on those shelves. Even a month after the debut edition, people were still calling the store asking if there were any copies left.
Even a month after the debut edition, people were still calling the store asking if there were any copies left. This popularity led to the first edition becoming a sixth edition, with Ultimate Spider-Man subverting what fans thought they knew about the iconic character. To say Ultimate Spider-Man and the other Ultimate titles have been popular is an understatement, and their popularity makes perfect sense. THE End The comics take place in a new continuity, which gives new fans everything they need to follow and enjoy the series from day one.
The Absolute Universe is DC Comics' answer to Marvel's “ultimate” success
DC offers jumping points for new readers
After the must-read event, DC's Absolute powerclosed in October 2024, the publisher ushered in a new era for DC known as DC All-In. While the original DC Comics continuity continues as it always has, the event also ushered in the Absolute Universe. Just like Marvel's Ultimate Universe, these books are changing things up for some of DC's biggest characters, starting with Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. For starters, all three heroes are given new origin stories. Batman grows up in a working-class family, Wonder Woman is raised by Circe instead of the Amazons, and Superman experiences life on Krypton before coming to Earth.
|
New Absolute Series |
Final order cut |
Release date |
|---|---|---|
|
Absolute Flash |
February 19, 2025 |
March 19, 2025 |
|
Absolute Green Lantern |
March 10, 2025 |
April 2, 2025 |
|
Absolute Martian Manhunter |
March 3, 2025 |
March 26, 2025 |
I can tell you from experience that the enthusiasm for these comics has been enormous, with new customers arriving for the first time to order them months in advance. For example, Absolute Batman sold out before the weekend and became the most subscribed comic series in our store, which makes sense given that it's the best-selling comic book of 2024. Likewise, Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman don't last a week on the shelves. With the announcement of Absolute Green Lantern, Absolute Flashand Absolute Martian ManhunterThere are already rumors in the store about these titles months before their release.
Marvel and DC have found a successful formula to make comics more accessible
No prior continuity, no problems
As someone who has worked at several comic book stores over several years, I've helped my fair share of new readers trying to find their starting point in comics. While I personally like to recommend indie comics to inexperienced readers – like this year's Helen of Wyndhorn, Corridors of Dawnor Fiercejust to name a few of the exceptional indie titles that have been published this year – if someone comes in interested primarily in Marvel or DC, that conversation can be more difficult at times.
I've seen firsthand new readers expand their lists soon after giving Ultimate Universe or Absolute Universe a try.
Marvel and DC have decades of history, as well as dozens of new issues hitting shelves every week. This can be intimidating for new readers. While trade paperbacks and graphic novels are easier starting points for these publishers, if someone wants to start with single issues, it can be difficult to know where to start if a series isn't in issue #1. It can also be intimidating for unfamiliar readers. with current continuity, as they may not know if they need to know anything before starting a series.
This is where Marvel's crowning achievement in 2024, the Ultimate Universe, and DC's best-selling Absolute Universe come in handy. Both universes are outside of continuity, so no history lesson is needed to dive into these books. In the meantime, for fans familiar with these characters, it's fun to see what makes them different in these new titles. The Supreme Universe and the Absolute Universe are clear starting points that do not require prior knowledge of the Wonder or DC Comics continuity; I've seen first-hand new readers expand their lists shortly after giving the End Universe or Absolute Universe one shot.