I Can’t Believe How DC Has Reinvented The Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman Trinity (& They Haven’t Even Met Yet!)

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Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for DC’s Absolute Batman #1, Absolute Wonder Woman #1, and Absolute Superman #1The first issues for DC Comics’ new Absolute Universe have all been published, giving fans introductions to brand-new takes on Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman. Presented as underdogs in a world far more opposed to superheroes compared to the primary DC Universe, the traditional DC Trinity looks very different from the one readers are likely used to. To that end, it will be very exciting to see how this new Trinity will operate when and if they ever 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 heroes representing chaos, rather than being part of the world’s established systems as beacons of hope. Hope itself is harder to come by in this world, and the advantages or privileges heroes like Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman typically have don’t exist. To that end, it’s very exciting to look at each hero’s first issue now that they’ve all been published by DC Comics, an intriguing launchpad 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 Makes Heroes The Underdogs

Forged By The Power of Darkseid

Having become a dark new center of the multiverse, Darkseid’s Absolute Universe is designed to be a reality where heroes are the underdogs. Pure survival is just as much a factor for its heroes as anything else. As such, this has resulted in far more brutal origins for Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman than what has been established in the main DC Universe and continuity.

Comic book art: the Absolute Universe versions of Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman glare menacingly.

10 Most Powerful Characters In DC’s New Absolute Universe

DC Comics has officially kicked off its exciting new Absolute Universe, so here’s a ranking of the strongest characters in this dark new 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 introduce this dark new reality. After all, they are DC’s “Big Three”. Likewise, the idea that heroes are largely without hope and operate as outsiders in this universe is very much proven in these first issues of Absolute Batman, Absolute Superman, and Absolute Wonder Woman.

The Debut Issues Of Absolute Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman Are Truly Epic

Each One 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 otherwise would have been his rogues, Absolute Batman looks to be far more violent and brutal, willing to permanently maim and take off limbs using a variety of low-tech gadgets and weaponry, including spikes on his shoulders and an axe for severing limbs. Absolute Batman’s war on crime appears to be far more dangerous as he’s forced to use whatever is available against a group of truly horrific villains.

Meanwhile, Absolute Wonder Woman #1 by Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman reveals that Princess Diana was born in Hell rather than with her fellow Amazons who were all imprisoned by Zeus. Raised by Circe, Absolute Wonder Woman is surprisingly still compassionate, having befriended the various beasts, demons, and lost souls that came to kill her as she grew up. Armed with an impressive sword and new magical abilities, Absolute Wonder Woman has 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 depicts Kal-El as a lone hero who wanders the globe, helping those who’ve been oppressed, primarily by the Lazarus Corporation. Having spent his childhood on Krypton with his laborer parents who were rejected by the Science Guild, Absolute Superman seemingly wasn’t raised by the Kents in this reality, instead having grown up alone on Earth with his living suit of armor, Sol. He also looks to possess additional abilities and limitations involving a more involved form of solar absorption. While the main DCU Superman is powered by solar energy, Absolute Superman is more volatile (and vulnerable) as 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 DC’s new Absolute Universe heroes is a shade darker and certainly more intense than their primary DCU counterparts. To that end, one can only imagine how they would work together as a team. Assuming team-ups and alliances are still possible in Darkseid’s new universe, the hope would be that the Absolute Trinity will meet and join forces rather than later, perhaps before a bigger Absolute Justice League story is told. That said, we’re only at the first issues for each hero, so it might yet be some time before all three Absolute heroes can get together.

As exciting as these first chapters have been, it’s likely that the initial arcs for each hero will need to be published first before DC Comics even starts thinking about crossover stories and team-up tales. Nevertheless, a future Absolute Trinity does seem 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 are all on sale from DC Comics.

Batman

One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.

Created By

Bob Kane , Bill Finger

Alias

Bruce Wayne

Alliance

Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family

Race

Human
Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman is the superhero identity of Diana, Princess of the Amazons. Created on the island of Themyscira, Wonder Woman is a super-powered demi-goddess with extreme physical strength who utilizes magical gifts (like her famous Lasso of Truth) to defeat her foes. As mighty as her fellow heroes Superman and the Justice League, Wonder Woman is unmatched in her compassion and virtue.

Created By

William Moulton Marston , H. G. Peter

First Appearance

All Star Comics

Alias

Diana Prince

Alliance

Justice League, Justice Society of America, Justice League Dark, Justice League International

Race

Amazon-Olympian
Superman

The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.

Created By

Joe Shuster , Jerry Siegel

First Appearance

Action Comics

Alias

Kal-El, Clark Kent, Jonathan Kent

Alliance

Justice League, Superman Family

Race

Kryptonian