It’s the week of DC All In and although we’re just mere days away from the DC All In Special #1, some people might not have a clue what’s currently happening at DC and that’s why we’re going to provide you with a guide to help get you up to speed with the latest initiative.
DC has had a few relaunches in the past with New 52 in 2011 and Rebirth happening in 2016, which this new initiative is starting off quite similar to as that also launched with One Shot before diving straight into the relaunch.
This new iniative is unlike what we’ve gotten in the past as DC All In won’t just be following one universe but two. The first universe will be the current mainline DC universe which we’ve already been following and then it’ll be joined alongside “Absolute DC”, a new universe that has been compared to the likes of the recent Marvel Ultimate universe. We’ve entered a recent age of comics where we’re getting designated universes such as Image’s Energon Universe and Massiverse that have set in stone the type of stories that they’re willing to tell. It’s now DC’s time to hop in and the first few comics that we’re receiving for both Absolute DC and the mainline continuity are sounding like a treat.
What Is DC All In?
While we’ve given you the quick rundown, let’s start getting into specifics. DC All In was an idea that was conceived in late 2019 by Joshua Williamson and Scott Snyder but only began planning during 2022, when they all got together at a meeting during San Diego Comic Con and decided that DC All In shouldn’t just be an idea anymore, and now we’re seeing it come to life, two years later.
What comes out of the DC All In Special #1 will be very important for the next two years, and while it hasn’t been specifically stated what’s to come, we know that the Special will have triggers and catalysts that will change a lot within the DCU.
DC All In Special #1 will follow the events of Absolute Power, the heroes of the core DC Universe have fought against the deep divisions in the world around them to usher in a new era of unity.
And it’s just in time, too — because Darkseid has returned! Superman gathers every DC Super Hero on Earth to hold the line against a vastly different version of the Lord of Apokolips as they raise our cosmic defenses and prepare for war. And when the first blows land, the shock waves will ripple across DC’s core series, shaking the nature of their realities to their very foundation!
But a greater threat looms on the horizon in the Absolute Universe. Here, DC’s biggest icons come of age with fewer advantages while facing greater opposition than ever before and retaining the immutable heroism that continues to inspire and entertain fans. But can they really protect the light that shines inside them when the world in which they live is hurtling toward a terrible destiny?
It’s also a flipbook that contains one story on either side. It’ll be written by Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson and drawn by Wes Craig and Daniel Sampere. Daniel Sampere will be providing the art for the story titled “Alpha,” and Wes Craig will be providing the art for the story titled “Omega.” There will also be a centre spread, which Dan Mora will be the artist for, with Tamra Bonvillain providing the colours. For the “Alpha” story, Alejandro Sanchez will be on the colours, and for Omega,” Mike Spicer will be on the colours. Both stories will have Steve Wands working on the letters. The special releases on October 2nd.
This will all spin out into the new initiative with a jumping point for new readers to hop on board with the Mainline continuity and the Absolute Universe, which will begin on October 9th.
What Titles Are Included?
As this will be considered a new jumping point for the Mainline continuity, that means we also have new creative teams taking over ongoing comics. Here are all the titles that will be part of the DC All In initiative:
Absolute Batman #1
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Nick Dragotta
Colourist: Frank Martin
Editor: Clayton Cowles
Release Date: October 9, 2024
Synopsis: BATMAN LEGEND SCOTT SNYDER AND ICONIC ARTIST NICK DRAGOTTA TRANSFORM THE DARK KNIGHT’S TALE FOR THE MODERN AGE! Without the mansion… without the money… without the butler… what’s left is the Absolute Dark Knight!
Absolute Wonder Woman #1
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Colourist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Becca Carey
Editor: Chris Conroy
Release Date: October 23, 2024
Synopsis: EISNER WINNER KELLY THOMPSON AND BREAKOUT ARTIST HAYDEN SHERMAN REINVENT WONDER WOMAN FROM THE GROUND UP! Without the island paradise… without the sisterhood that shaped her… without a mission of peace… what’s left is the Absolute Amazon!
Absolute Superman #1
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Rafa Sandoval
Colourist: Ulises Arreola
Release Date: November 6, 2024
Synopsis: SUPERSTARS JASON AARON AND RAFA SANDOVAL UNLEASH A SHOCKING NEW TAKE ON THE LAST SON OF KRYPTON! Without the fortress… without the family… without a home… what’s left is the Absolute Man of Steel!
Batman #153
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Jorge Jiménez
Colourist: Tomeu Morey
Editor: Rob Levin
Release Date: October 2, 2024
Synopsis: Batman is back with a vengeance and Bruce Wayne’s new public initiatives have Gotham on the verge of finally becoming a great city! Does that bright future include the Riddler, who’s seemingly gone legit? Or the new, unnerving hero, Commander Star? And can Gotham survive the shocking murder of one of its greatest citizens? The Dying City starts here with a case that only Batman can solve, but the answers may unravel his world and all of Gotham!
Birds of Prey #14
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Sami Basri
Colourist: Adriano Lucas
Release Date: October 2, 2024
Synopsis: The Birds of Prey are back to business as they infiltrate The Ninth Day, a mysterious corporation the Birds believe has kidnapped people — including Amazons that have gone missing. When their spy on the inside, an undercover Cassandra Cain, breaks contact, it’ll be up to Oracle, Black Canary, Big Barda, Megaera, and newcomers Grace Choi and Onyx to bust her out. Don’t miss the start of this thrilling new arc, where the fate of the Amazons rests in the hands of a silent warrior!
Poison Ivy #26
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Marcio Takara
Release Date: October 2, 2024
Synopsis: As she contends with a brand-new life and restored powers, Poison Ivy resumes her wrathful and just war for the balance of the natural world. Her latest mission: to restore life to the wetlands that Gotham City’s industrial waste has destroyed. But her goals are upended when she unintentionally resurrects an ancient place from Gotham’s past and with it…. something hungry. Meanwhile, cleansing fires burn across America, seeking to rid the country of human influence. And somehow, Poison Ivy is to blame.
This will lead into the Poison Ivy/Swamp Thin: Feral Trees Crossover which will release later in the month.
Shazam #16
Writer: Josie Campbell
Artist: Dan McDaid
Colourist: Trish Mulvihill
Inker: Roberto Poggi
Release Date: October 2, 2024
Synopsis: SHAZAM FAMILY ROAD TRIP! Or at least an escape from Philly, as the kids hit the road to investigate some twisted monster attacks. Freddy’s new powers should come in handy, except something’s off with him. Will the cost for his new abilities be more than he can pay?
Action Comics #1070
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Clayton Henry
Colourist: Matt Herms
Release Date: October 9. 2024
Synopsis: THE ACTION COMICS WEEKLY STARTS HERE WITH SUPERMAN SUPERSTARS MARK WAID, CLAYTON HENRY, MARIKO TAMAKI, AND SKYLAR PATRIDGE! An otherworldly horror, tearing its way through Metropolis, has emerged from the Phantom Zone. Something’s wrong in the Zone–something terrible–and Superman must enter alone to find out what! From the pages of Absolute Power and Batman/Superman: World’s Finest comes a new Action epic unlike any you’ve seen before from the visionary creative team of Mark Waid and Clayton Henry! Plus, the Woman of Tomorrow is here today! Supergirl Special’s Mariko Tamaki and Skylar Patridge return to bring Kara to the farthest reaches of space in pursuit of a mysterious threat only she can handle.
As of now, Action Comics will be a weekly release until December 2024.
Batman and Robin #14
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
Artist: Javier Fernández
Colourist: Marcel Maiolo
Letterer: Steve Wands
Editor: Ben Meares
Release Date: October 9, 2024
Synopsis: Damian Wayne is the son of the Bat, grandson of the Demon, and Robin — but as he nears the age at which his father traveled the world, one question is on his mind: Who is Damian outside of the crusades his family has tasked him with fighting since birth? When he starts to look beyond his life of endless violence, a different way to help the world begins to present itself — but when an enigmatic new murderer begins reenacting traumatic crimes from Gotham’s history, Batman will need Robin more than ever before! It’s a whole new dynamic for the Dynamic Duo as the powerhouse team of Phillip Kennedy Johnson (SUPERMAN: WARWORLD SAGA) and Javier Fernandez (KING SPAWN, NIGHTWING) bring you the dark and mystifying next chapter in the lives of Bruce and Damian Wayne! You are not ready for what’s in store.
Green Lanterns Civil Corps Special #1
Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson & Jeremy Adams
Artist: Salvador Larroca
Release Date: October 9, 2024
Synopsis: THE WAR FOR THE FATE OF THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS STARTS HERE! Lord Premier Thaaros sends a surprising foe to retrieve the Dark Star Ring from John Stewart, which leads to a desperate plan to expose the United Planets as a force of evil. Allies and enemies will join this special issue to launch the Green Lanterns in a direction that will change the DC cosmos forever!
Catwoman #69
Writer: Torunn Grønbekk
Artist: Fabiana Mascolo
Release Date: October 16, 2024
Synopsis: Selina Kyle does not know why the attempt on her life was made, nor does she know who ordered it. As she desperately searches for clues as to who has suddenly orchestrated this lethal manhunt against her, one thing becomes abundantly clear: the answers don’t lie in her life as the Catwoman of Gotham City. To save her own life, Selina Kyle must re-enter the world of a sinister international syndicate that years ago helped to transform her into the world’s foremost thief. A tale of identity, broken alliances, and pulse-pounding action begins here!
Green Lantern #16
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Artist: Xermánico
Colourist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Release Date: October 16, 2024
Synopsis: The seeds of war have been sown, and now a massive battle rages across the galaxy! Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and Guy Gardner must race to unlock the mystery of the Dark Star resurrection, what it means for their beloved friend Kilowog, and just how to battle an entire planet! The red rage of Mogo rains down on our heroes as the Civil Corps heats up
Titans #16
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Pete Woods
Colourist: Pete Woods
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Release Date: October 16, 2024
Synopsis: A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN! After the events of Absolute Power, the team looks towards the future and their place in it. Will their failure to control Amanda Waller mean lasting consequences for the hero community?
Wonder Woman #14
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Daniel Sampere
Colourist Tomey Morey
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Release Date: October 16, 2024
Synopsis: STEVE TREVOR’S LAST STAND AND THE BIRTH OF A HERO! With the tide of the war against the Sovereign turning, Wonder Woman’s greatest love takes matters into his own hands with deadly consequences. Could Steve’s end be the beginning of Diana’s greatest adventure yet? Behold the birth of Trinity!
Harley Quinn #44
Writer: Eliott Kalan
Artist: Mindy Lee
Release Date: October 23, 2024
Synopsis: NO MORE MS. NICE HARLEY – THE CLOWN QUEEN OF CRIME IS BACK! The big wigs here at DC want me to be a bit clearer in these snooze-licit texts so here goes nuttin’. Begin the prewritten statement! Ahem. When Harley Quinn discovers her favorite dangerous neighborhood in Gotham City, Throatcut Hill, has been gentrified beyond recognition, she breaks bad and sets out on a one clown-woman mission to make Gotham City safe for crime again! Wow! I couldn’t have said it better myself, and luckily, I won’t have to, thanks to the excellent work of my new creative team, Elliott Kalan (The Flop House, Mystery Science Theater 3000) and Mindy Lee (Bounty, Harley Quinn: Everybody Hates Side Quests).
Nightwing #119
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Dexter Soy
Colourist: Veronica Gandini
Release Date: October 23, 2024
Synopsis: Blüdhaven has erupted in violence as rival gangs vie to fill the power vacuum left by Nightwing’s cleanup of corrupt officials. But is an outside force turning the gangs against each other, escalating the violence in Blüdhaven toward even more sinister ends? To find out, Nightwing must do the unthinkable — no matter the cost. Don’t miss the start of this groundbreaking new arc that will redefine what it means to be a hero.
Detective Comics #1090
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Mikel Janin
Colourist Mikel Janin
Letterer: Wes Abbott
Editor: Ben Meares
Release Date: October 23, 2024
Synopsis: Long ago, the murders of Thomas and Martha Wayne changed Gotham forever. But there is something you never knew about the Dark Knight’s tragic origin, which has been lying in wait to strike at Batman ever since that fateful night in Crime Alley. And now, all these years later, this ghost of Gotham’s past begins to reveal itself.
Superstars Tom Taylor and Mikel Janín team up to bring you a Batman tale that will rattle the very foundations of the Dark Knight. Things may never be the same again.
The Flash #14
Writer: Simon Spurrier
Artist: Vasco Georgiev
Release Date: October 23, 2024
Synopsis: Wally, Linda, and the kids come together in the wake of the losses suffered to heal as a family and figure out their new abilities. While this family trip has a unique destination—Skartaris, in the center of the Earth—Wally’s begun an evolution into a new form, and he’s not ready to share that with the rest of the family!
Green Arrow #17
Writer: Joshua Williamson & Chris Condon
Artist: Montos & Amancay Nahuelpan
Release Date: October 23, 2024
Synopsis: This oversize anniversary issue features legacy numbering as writer Joshua Williamson closes out his acclaimed run on DC’s Emerald Archer. Oliver Queen faces the aftermath of his actions in Absolute Power, having done the unthinkable to protect his loved ones, and the ramifications of his involvement may have gone too far for his family and friends to forgive. This can’t-miss issue also debuts the opening chapter of Green Arrow’s next adventure, from the new creative team of writer Chris Condon (The Enfield Gang Massacre, That Texas Blood) and artist Montos (Green Lantern: War Journal).
Power Girl #14
Writer: Leah Williams
Artist: Adriana Melo
Relase Date: October 23, 2024
Synopsis: ENTER EJECTA! The mysterious new hero has taken Metropolis by storm, but Power Girl and Omen don’t believe the hype. How can this heroine stop crime before it starts? Find out as Power Girl fights to save her city from itself!
Superman #19
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Dan Mora
Colourist: Alejandro Sánchez
Release Date: October 23, 2024
Synopsis: THE MANY DEATHS OF DOOMSDAY! Superman and Superwoman must deal with the return of the rampaging Doomsday and…wait…Superwoman?! After the events of Absolute Power, Lois Lane has new powers… but how long can they last?! And waiting in the shadows is one of Superman’s greatest enemies… the Time Trapper. Jump on to a new exciting story arc that will shape the future of Superman!
Poison Ivy/Swamp Thing: Feral Trees #1
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Mike Perkins
Release Date: October 20, 2024
Synopsis: There is something wrong with the trees. A presence screaming out in pain–tearing, gnashing, and gnawing through the very fabric of the Green–calling out for blood. In its wake, a trail of viscera and carnage is left–leading to a mystery that the Parliament of Trees has conscripted Poison Ivy and Swamp Thing to solve. Can the Verdant Villainess and the Avatar of the Green make their way into the heart of this homicidal wilderness and discover the source of this horror, or will they find themselves the next victims of these feral trees? This story, brought to violent life by G. Willow Wilson and Mike Perkins, will answer these questions. But beware, this terrifying tale is not for the weak of heart.
Batgirl #1
Writer:Tate Brombal
Artist: Takeshi Miyazawa
Release Date: November 6, 2024
Synopsis: Hold on to your seats, clutch your pearls, and rejoice in celebration because Cassandra Cain is taking center stage in her first solo Batgirl series in nearly two decades! When a deadly group of assassins shows up to kill Cassandra, Lady Shiva comes to the rescue, and they must put their complicated past aside and work together as mother and daughter to ensure they make it out alive. Unfortunately, things are never as easy as they seem, and Cass must embark on a jaw-dropping, martial-arts filled adventure in her quest for truth and justice… and revenge?! It’s a Batgirl book like never before, so join us as we dive into the psyche of one of Gotham’s deadliest fighters, while exploring her deep and complex relationship with her mother.
JSA #1
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Diego Olortegui
Release Date: November 6, 2024
Synopsis: THE NEW ERA OF THE JSA BEGINS HERE! Long-time fan favorite characters Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Jade, Obsidian, Jesse Quick, Hourman, Ted Grant, and Sandman are all back on the roster as DC’s first super team faces their greatest and most personal challenge yet. Will golden age ideals hold true in a world recovering from the events of Absolute Power? Or do they need a more hardcore approach to stand a chance against the new Injustice Society of America?
Black Lightning #1
Writer: Brandon Thomas
Artist: Fico Ossio
Release Date: November 13, 2024
Synopsis: BLACK LIGHTNING IS BACK, AND THIS TIME, IT’S A FAMILY AFFAIR! Jefferson Pierce leads the Justice League’s new metahuman outreach initiative, helping those with powers before they can cause harm to themselves or others–but everything changes when its his own daughter, Anissa Pierce, who comes to him for help. With Thunder’s dangerous new powers and the new Masters of Disaster jeopardizing the coexistence between humans and Metas, Black Lightning is on the front lines of a culture war brewing in the suburbs of Metropolis!
The Question: All Along the Watchtower #1
Writer: Alex Segura
Artist: Cian Tormey
Release Date: November 20, 2024
Synopsis: Who watches the Watchtower? In the wake of Absolute Power, the Justice League Unlimited has created a haven for all heroes — but can they keep it secure? Enter Renee Montoya, reeling from an abrupt end to her time in Gotham and looking for a place to hang her hat. But the Trinity didn’t bring her up to the Watchtower to relax — there’s a dark threat bubbling underneath the surface, and only the Question and her ad hoc support team stand a chance of figuring out who the problem is before it’s too late.
Black Canary: Best of the Best #1
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Ryan Sook
Release Date: November 27, 2024
Synopsis: The match of the millennium! It’s Black Canary versus Lady Shiva to determine who is the single greatest hand-to-hand fighter in the universe! Who will walk away with the title? Find out as writer Tom King (WONDER WOMAN, SUPERGIRL: WOMAN OF TOMORROW) and Ryan Sook (LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES) go six rounds to see if our hero has what it takes to be… the best of the best.
Two-Face #1
Writer: Christian Ward
Artist: Fabio Veras
Colourist: Ivan Plascencia
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Release Date: December 4, 2024
Synopsis: HARVEY DENT’S GREATEST TRIAL BEGINS! After years of internal conflict, both halves of Harvey Dent have reached an uneasy peace. In DC’s new Two-Face series, Harvey uses his skills as an attorney to resolve the conflicts of Gotham’s weirdest and most dangerous criminals, starting with Victor Zsasz. When Zsasz is accused of murdering a fellow member of Gotham’s underworld contingent, who better to prove a criminal’s innocence than someone who’s been on both sides of the law?
Superwoman Special #1
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Edwin Galmon
Release Date: December 11, 2024
Synopsis: The amazing story of how Daily Planet Editor-in-Chief Lois Lane got superpowers and became Superwoman is finally told. What does it mean for the matriarch of the Super family to fly alongside her family and friends? And how long will these powers last? And who wants these powers for themselves?! Guest starring the Atom, Mister Terrific, Supergirl, and Silver Banshee!
Challengers of the Unknown #1
Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Sean Izaakse
Colourist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Release Date: December 18, 2024
Synopsis: Spinning out of Absolute Power and the DC All In Special, the terror of the Darkseid shockwave has cascaded across the DC Universe…tearing open the very fabric of time and space itself! Only one band of super-scientists have the right stuff to challenge the fate of a universe…enter: THE CHALLENGERS OF THE UKNOWN. Alongside the Justice League—where the Challengers run day-to-day operations for the massive Watchtower base in orbit above Earth—Ace Morgan, June Robbins, Prof Haley, Red Ryan, and Rocky Davis must team with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the rest of the League to seal the rifts that threaten the galaxy. But a mysterious foe from the Challengers’ past lurks in the shadows, and its connection to the godshock will put the DCU on borrowed time!
The New Gods #1
Writer: Ram V.
Artist: Jorge Fornés & Evan Cagle
Colourist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Release Date: December 18, 2024
Synopsis: An old god has died, and the reverberations of his passing are felt across the universe, setting forth the soldiers of an intergalactic army and awakening the latent powers of a mysterious child on Earth. But this has all been foreseen—prophesized by the Source and fed as enigmatic images to its agent, Metron. Now, as Metron brings word of this cosmos-shattering prediction to the residents of New Genesis and Apokolips, both worlds are thrown into chaos and conflict. On Earth, Scott Free and Barda find themselves unaware of this incoming chaos while consumed with their most daunting task yet: parenthood. Ram V and Evan Cagle bring the Fourth World to a whole new generation in this epic of cosmic proportions. An old god has died…the New Gods are born!
Metamorpho: The Element Man #1
Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Steve Lieber
Colourist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Ferran Delgago
Release Date: December 25, 2024
Synopsis: To know him is to love him — that fab freak who can change himself into any element in the human body! He’s the one and only Rex Mason, alias Metamorpho…but can even he win out against Cy.C.L.O.P.S., the hairy eyeball of crime that gazes from the top of the pop charts to the lowest depths of evil — and even into the far-off, far-out Ra-Realm? To find out, the Element Man must survive a hand-picked assassin who can match him change for change…and that’s just the first issue! Join us for this covalent bond of friends and foes in the brand new ongoing series from superstar team Al Ewing and Steve Lieber!
There are two additional Absolute titles that have been revealed. The first one is Absolute Flash, which has the talented creative team Jeff Lemire and Nick Robles attached to it. The second title is Absolute Green Lantern, which also has another stacked creative team, Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay. Not much else has been revealed about these two titles aside from Wally being the main character in Absolute Flash and Jo Mullein, who seems to be front and centre in Absolute Green Lantern.
This is everything you need to know about DC All In. If you like the sound of anything you read, then it all begins on October 2, when the DC All-In Special releases. If you’ve ever been confused on where to start with DC Comics, then this jumping point might be the best place for you, or maybe if you want a fresh new paint of coat on characters you’re already familiar with, then the Absolute Universe is for you.
DC All In #1 comes to comic book stores and digital platforms on October 2, 2024. It is available for pre-order at your local comic shop. Digital copies can be purchased from content providers, including Kindle, iBooks, and Google Play.
