DC’s Absolute Universe Welcomes a New Justice League Led by a Top Writer
DC’s Absolute Universe is gearing up for its inaugural crossover event. In a recent Instagram video, Scott Snyder, the writer behind Absolute Batman, shared insights about the franchise’s future, revealing that Jason Aaron, the writer of Absolute Superman, will take the lead on this project. Aaron is collaborating with other creators from the Absolute line to bring this event to life. Notably, the Martian Manhunter from the Absolute Universe is set to play a pivotal role in assembling the team.
The Absolute series offers fresh interpretations of iconic characters like Wonder Woman, Batman, and Superman, set in Alpha-World (or The Elseworld). This universe is heavily influenced by the dark energy brought on by the supervillain Darkseid, contrasting with the main DC Universe, which is shaped more by Superman’s heroism. The Absolute line has been thriving in terms of sales, critical acclaim, innovative storytelling, and fan engagement. In 2025, Absolute Wonder Woman took home multiple Eisner Awards, including Best New Series and Best Colorist for the talented Jordie Bellaire.
Since its debut in November 2024, Jason Aaron’s Absolute Superman, illustrated by Rafa Sandoval, has made a significant impact. This version of Superman was raised in a corrupt, industrial Krypton, and his journey to Earth led him to the Kent family, albeit with a drastically altered dynamic. This Superman is well-versed in the universe’s darker aspects, creating a more complex hero’s journey.
Aaron boasts an impressive comic book background, having immersed himself in the medium for nearly two decades. His notable early work includes Vertigo’s Scalped, a gritty Western that ran for 60 issues from March 2007 to August 2012. He has also contributed to titles like Wolverine, Ghost Rider, Punisher MAX, and The Avengers.
One of Aaron’s most compelling credentials for an Absolute Justice League project is his seven-year run on Thor, which began in 2012. His portrayal of Thor served as a key inspiration for Taika Waititi’s film Thor: Love & Thunder, particularly with the introduction of Jane Foster as The Mighty Thor. Collaborating with artist Russell Dauterman and others, Aaron crafted an epic narrative that was a standout in the series. As his Thor run concluded, he also led Marvel’s War of the Realms, showcasing his ability to weave expansive concepts into impactful crossovers that allow numerous characters to shine.
The darker, more atmospheric Absolute Universe diverges significantly from the mainline DC universe while still exploring themes of justice versus corruption. In this universe, the Justice League is formed by villains rather than heroes, featuring characters like the Joker, Ra’s Al Ghul, Hector Hammond, Veronica Cale, and Elenore Thawne. This raises the question: what will the coalition of heroes opposing them be called?
In another video from the same Instagram account, Snyder hinted, “You can guess it pretty well. The bad guys formed the Justice League, and if you want to bring about the Doom of the Justice League, the heroes need to form something else.” The emphasis on “Doom” suggests we might be looking at The Legion of Doom, the classic counterpart to the Justice League.
No matter how this unfolds, Aaron is an excellent choice to lead the first Absolute crossover. His experience with gritty narratives from his Vertigo days, his knack for grand epics from his Thor run, and his deep understanding of the Absolute Universe through Absolute Superman make him an ideal candidate to transform this crossover into a standout superhero saga.
