Scott Snyder dropped a wave of new Absolute Batman details at MegaCon 2026, teasing what is next for the book and the larger Absolute Universe.
The updates started making the rounds on X via Chris Anton over the weekend and line up with DC’s recent push for the Absolute line, which the publisher has described as one of its most successful recent initiatives.
DC has already teased a new Absolute event miniseries for Q4 2026, and reports say Scott Snyder has been developing an Absolute Universe crossover meant to build on the line instead of disrupting it.
Absolute Batman plans stretch past 50 issues
One of the biggest takeaways is that Absolute Batman is not ending anytime soon.
According to the MegaCon updates shared on X, Snyder said the series is planned for 50-plus issues, which is a major vote of confidence from DC and suggests the book will remain a centerpiece of the Absolute line for the long haul.
That fits with what DC has already said publicly. In February, DC said the Absolute Universe had become one of its most celebrated publishing lines (reportedly selling 300K copies an issue), with chart-topping sales and continued growth across multiple titles. The publisher also said more major stories were still on the way in 2026.
Big story beats teased for upcoming issues
Snyder also previewed several major developments coming to Absolute Batman over the next few issues.
Among them, Bruce and Waylon are set to reunite in issue #19. Batman and Joker are finally expected to meet in issue #21.
Harley Quinn’s origin is said to be revealed in issue #22, and Clayface is planned to appear in issue #23. Another update says Harley Quinn will be the one who names the new Batmobile.
There is also word that the Scarecrow arc runs through issue #25, which has been described in posts from the convention as a major issue for the series.
Snyder’s own March 20 newsletter also called issue #19 the start of the book’s “biggest arc yet,” which adds more weight to the idea that Absolute Batman is building toward something much bigger over the next several months.
Robin team and new villains are on the way
Snyder also teased that the Robin team will be announced soon, which is likely to get fans talking since the Absolute Universe has been remixing Batman mythology in some wild ways from the start.
Other villain details shared from MegaCon include Two-Face being compared to the Punisher, Deathstroke being described as Alfred’s former protégé and “the Darth Vader to his Obi-Wan,” and the promise of new original villains joining the book.
That all tracks with how DC has been framing the Absolute line. Since launch, the publisher has positioned these books as darker, remixed takes on familiar characters, with Absolute Batman in particular reworking Bruce Wayne’s world from the ground up.
DC previously said this version of Batman is defined by having no mansion, no money, and no butler, while still keeping the core of the character intact.
DC Comics Absolute Universe MegaCon recap:
- Absolute Scarecrow arc will last through issue #25, which is said to be a major finale bringing big changes.
- After the Scarecrow arc, the next arc will focus on Bruce’s friends, especially Riddler.
- Bruce and Waylon will reunite in issue #19.
- Batman and Joker will meet in issue #21.
- Harley Quinn’s origin will be told in issue #22 in July.
- Harley Quinn will be the one to name Bruce’s Batmobile in issue #19.
- The Absolute Universe has no planned ending and will continue as long as readers keep buying the books.
- Absolute Batman is planned for 50+ issues so far.
- Absolute Batman #20 does not use the real cover, and the “R” for Robins will be dropped to reveal the team.
- Two-Face has been compared to the Punisher.
- Deathstroke is Alfred’s former protégé, and their relationship is described as Darth Vader and Obi-Wan.
- There will be new original villains.
- Clayface will appear in issue #23.
- Absolute Poison Ivy will return and level up into something like Ivy, Swamp Thing, and Animal Man combined.
- Frank Tieri and Scott Snyder are interested in doing a sequel to the Absolute Batman Ark M special one-shot exploring the Arks before Ark M.
First Absolute event begins in November
The other big reveal is that the first Absolute event is expected to begin in November.
That timing also lines up with DC’s earlier statement that an Absolute event miniseries was set for Q4 2026.
So while DC has not yet officially rolled out the full announcement, Snyder’s MegaCon comments make it look like November is when the Absolute Universe starts moving into its next major phase.
