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Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo
Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta
A new, stripped-down take on Batman from DC's Absolute Universe.
Superhero guide
Absolute Batman: where to start
DC’s Absolute Batman is a fresh start by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta. Here is what it is, the volumes in order and what else is in the Absolute Universe.
What is Absolute Batman?
Absolute Batman is an ongoing DC series written by Scott Snyder with art by Nick Dragotta. It began on 9 October 2024 as part of DC’s Absolute Universe, a line that retells its biggest heroes without the advantages they usually have. DC’s tagline for this Batman is “no manor, no money”: Bruce Wayne is a blue-collar engineer, and he relies on ingenuity and brute strength instead of a fortune.
It is a new, separate universe. You do not need to have read any earlier Batman comics, and nothing in it has to line up with the main DC continuity. That makes it an easy way in for a new reader.
Start here
Read Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo first, then Vol. 2, then Vol. 3. If you want a classic first, our Batman guide starts with Year One.
The collected volumes, in order
Vol. 1: The Zoo collects issues #1 to 6 and Vol. 2: Abomination collects #7 to 14. Vol. 3: Devil’s Workshop collects the 2025 Annual, Ark M and issues #15 to 18, and retailers list it for September 2026.
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Absolute Batman Vol. 2: Abomination
Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta
Collects issues 7-14 of the Absolute Batman series.
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Absolute Batman Vol. 3: Devil’s Workshop
Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta
Volume 3 collects the 2025 Annual, Ark M and issues #15-18 of Absolute Batman.
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Absolute Batman checklist
0 of 3 read
Next up: Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo
Newest we list: Absolute Batman Vol. 3: Devil’s Workshop. Three collected volumes so far. Check DC's site for newer ones.
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What else is in the Absolute Universe?
Absolute Batman launched alongside Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman. Collected volume ones now exist for several others. Because the books share a universe but not a story you must follow, you can read any of them first.
- Absolute Superman Vol. 1 (Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval): a new Absolute Universe version of Superman.
- Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon (Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman): collects issues #1 to 7.
- Absolute Flash Vol. 1: Of Two Worlds (Jeff Lemire): collects issues #1 to 6.
- Absolute Martian Manhunter Vol. 1: Martian Vision (Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez): collects issues #1 to 6.
Absolute Batman is rated for teen readers and above in our catalog. Look through a copy first if you are buying for a younger reader. For other places to start with the character, see our best Batman comics guide.
The rest of the Absolute Universe
Volume ones. Each is a separate story.
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Absolute Superman Vol. 1
Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval
A new Absolute Universe version of Superman.
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Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 1: The Last Amazon
Kelly Thompson, Hayden Sherman
DC’s Absolute Universe take on Wonder Woman, collecting issues #1-7.
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Absolute Flash Vol. 1: Of Two Worlds
Jeff Lemire
DC’s Absolute Universe take on the Flash, collecting issues #1-6.
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Absolute Martian Manhunter Vol. 1: Martian Vision
Deniz Camp, Javier Rodriguez
DC’s Absolute Universe take on Martian Manhunter, collecting issues #1-6.
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Questions people ask
What is Absolute Batman?
It is an ongoing DC series by writer Scott Snyder and artist Nick Dragotta that began on 9 October 2024. It is part of the Absolute Universe, a line that retells DC’s heroes without their usual advantages. This Bruce Wayne is a blue-collar engineer with no fortune or manor, and the story stands apart from the main DC continuity.
Is Absolute Batman a new continuity?
Yes. It is part of the separate Absolute Universe, not the main DC continuity. You do not need to have read earlier Batman stories to follow it, and events in it are not tied to what happens in other Batman books. That makes it a good starting point if you have never read a Batman comic.
Which Absolute Batman volume do I read first?
Start with Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo, which collects issues #1 to 6. Then read Vol. 2: Abomination, which collects #7 to 14, and Vol. 3: Devil’s Workshop, which collects the 2025 Annual, Ark M and issues #15 to 18. Our checklist lists the three in order and remembers your progress.
What else is in the Absolute Universe?
Absolute Batman launched alongside Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman. Absolute Flash and Absolute Martian Manhunter have collected first volumes too. Each is a separate story, so you can start with whichever hero you like best. Check DC’s site for newer titles, because the line is still growing.
Do I need to read other Batman comics first?
No. Absolute Batman is a fresh start, and it does not rely on earlier stories. If you want to see how other writers handled the character first, Batman: Year One is a popular origin and our best Batman comics guide lists other starting points. Neither is required before Absolute Batman.
Is Absolute Batman for kids?
It is written for teen and adult readers, and we place it in our teen band. It is a dark, action-heavy take on Batman. If you are buying for a child, look through a copy first, and check the publisher’s age rating on the listing. Younger readers may prefer one of the kids’ series on our kids hub.