DC Comics launched the Dawn of DC publishing initiative to great excitement in early 2023. It kicked off dozens of new stories, taking the publisher’s characters in interesting directions. At the same time, it began to build up a much larger meta-story, with building blocks present in several tentpole stories throughout 2023 and into 2024, accumulating into an event called Absolute Power.
Amanda Waller has a deep grudge against the metahumans of the DC Universe. It’s a grudge so deep that she’s willing to play the long game. In Absolute Power, readers will finally see how she has planned to eliminate all of DC’s heroes.
Find out how you can see Waller’s plans come to fruition with the aid of the Absolute Power reading order. It has everything you need to read this comic book event, including the recommended reading order, background reading, release dates, creative teams, and heaps more.
How to read Absolute Power
Absolute Power is set up like a traditional comic book event. It consists of a core miniseries – featuring the main story – and several supplemental tie-in comics. Some tie-in issues are limited series made for Absolute Power, while others are issues from current ongoing series such as Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and others.
It’s totally up to you if you want to read the tie-ins. Check out the ones that interest you – whether it’s based on premise, characters, or creative team – if you want to expand your reading experience. Otherwise, it’s okay to just read the Absolute Power core series.
Background reading
Absolute Power has been building-up for some time through various events and stories. Check out these tales if you to see Absolute Power’s building blocks.
Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Daniel Sampere.
Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths is a big multiverse-level event. Part of what happens in this event will inspire Amanda Waller and her larger plans. The prologue in Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 is the first hint of Absolute Power.
Find out how to read the event in our Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths reading order.
Lazarus Planet
Written and art by various.
Lazarus Planet is the first comic book event in the building blocks towards Absolute Power.
Find out how to read this event in our Lazarus Planet reading order.
Batman (2016 series) #125-130
Written by Chip Zdarsky. Art by Jorge Jimenez.
These Batman issues introduce Failsafe.
Knight Terrors
Amanda Waller makes plans while all the superheroes are trapped in their nightmares.
Find out how to read this event in our Knight Terrors reading order.
Titans: Beast World
This Titans-centric event is another stepping stone in Amanda Waller’s plans.
Find out how to read this event in our Titans: Beast World reading order.
Green Arrow (2023 series) #9-12
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Tom Derenick and Sean Izaakse.
Find out more Oliver Queen and Amanda Waller’s alliance.
Superman: House of Brainiac
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Rafael Sandoval.
Superman: House of Brainiac is a Superman crossover. The circumstances of this event will build-up to Absolute Power and also introduce Brainiac Queen.
Find out how to read this event in our Superman: House of Brainiac reading order.
Countdown to Absolute Power
The following comics lead directly or have elements that build up to Absolute Power.
Suicide Squad: Dream Team #1
Written by Nicole Maines. Art by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira.
Suicide Squad: Dream Team #2
Written by Nicole Maines. Art by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira.
Suicide Squad: Dream Team #3
Written by Nicole Maines. Art by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira.
Green Arrow (2023 series) #12
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Eric Gapstur, Phil Hester, and Sean Izaakse.
Green Arrow (2023 series) #13
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Amancay Nahuelpan.
Batman (2016 series) #148
Written by Chip Zdarsky. Art Daniel Sampere.
Titans (2023 series) #12
Written by Tom Taylor. Art by Lucas Meyer.
The Flash (2023 series) #10
Written by Simon Spurrier. Ramón Pérez.
Wonder Woman (2023 series) #10
Written by Tom King. Art by Daniel Sampere.
Suicide Squad: Dream Team #4
Written by Nicole Maines. Art by Eddy Barrows and Eber Ferreira.
Absolute Power reading order
Below is the recommended reading order for Absolute Power. Check it out to find out more about the preludes, tie-ins, creative teams, and release dates.
Free Comic Book Day 2024: Absolute Power Special Edition (Prelude)
Written by Mark Waid. Art by Mikel Janin and Trish Mulvihill.
Note: Free Comic Book Day 2024: Absolute Power Special Edition was given away for free as part of Free Comic Book Day 2024 in comic book shops. It includes a prelude story that teases the Absolute Power event. It is technically set be before House of Brainiac (see “Background Reading” section) but works well here as a prelude. You can read it digitally if you missed it.
Absolute Power: Ground Zero #1 (Prelude)
Written by Mark Waid, Nicole Maines, Joshua Williamson, and Chip Zdarsky. Art by Gleb Melnikov, V Ken Marion, and Skylar Patridge.
On sale 25th June
Absolute Power #1 (of 4)
Written by Mark Waid. Art by Dan Mora.
On sale 3rd July
Batman (2016 series) #150 (Tie-in)
Written by Chip Zdarsky. Art by Jorge Jimenez, Denys Cowan, and Mike Hawthorne.
On sale 3rd July
Note: Only the back-up story for Batman (2016 series) #150 ties into Absolute Power. It is set during the events of Absolute Power #1.
Green Lantern (2023 series) #13 (Tie-in)
Written by Jeremy Adams. Art by Fernando Pasarin.
On sale 10th July.
Note: The JSA elements in Green Lantern (2023 series) #13 continue in Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3.
Wonder Woman (2023 series) #11 (Tie-in)
Written by Tom King. Art by Tony S. Daniel, and Belén Ortega.
On sale 17th July
Note: Wonder Woman (2023 series) #11 is set during the events of Absolute Power #1. Elements of this continue into Absolute Power: Task Force VII #1.
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #1 (of 7) (Tie-in)
Written by Leah Williams. Art by Caitlin Yarsky.
On sale 10th July
Note: Absolute Power: Task Force VII is a tie-in series telling events from the perspective of the Trinity of Evil. the first issue features The Last Son and the Marvel Family.
Superman (2023 series) #16 (Tie-in)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Jamal Campbell.
On sale 17th July
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #2 (of 7) (Tie-in)
Written by John Layman. Art by Max Raynor.
On sale 24th July
Note: Absolute Power: Task Force VII #2 feature Depth Charge and the Aqua-Family.
Green Arrow (2023 series) #14 (Tie-in)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Amancay Nahuelpan.
On sale 24th July
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3 (of 7) (Tie-in)
Written by Jeremy Adams. Art by Marco Santucci.
On sale 31st July
Note: Absolute Power: Task Force VII #3 features Jadestone, Alan Scott, and other members of the JSA.
Absolute Power: Origins #1 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by John Ridley. Art by Alitha Martinez.
On sale 24th July
Absolute Power #2 (of 4)
Written by Mark Waid. Art by Dan Mora.
On sale 7th August
Batman (2016 series) #151 (Tie-in)
Written by Chip Zdarsky and Tini Howard. Art by Mike Hawthorne and Marianna Ignazzi.
On sale 7th August
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4 (of 7) (Tie-in)
Written by Pornsak Pichetshote. Art by Claire Row.
On sale 14th August.
Note: Absolute Power: Task Force VII #4 feature Failsafe and Nightwing.
Green Lantern (2023 series) #14 (Tie-in)
Written by Jeremy Adams and Marc Guggenheim. Art by Fernando Pasarin and Darick Robertson.
On sale 14th August.
Superman (2023 series) #17 (Tie-in)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Jamal Campbell.
On sale 21st August
Note: Not a story note but the variant cover for Superman (2023 series) #17 was removed due to being to accusations of being AI generated.
Wonder Woman (2023 series) #12 (Tie-in)
Written by Tom King. Art by Tony S. Daniel, and Belén Ortega.
On sale 21st August
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #5 (of 7) (tie-in)
Written by Alex Paknadel. Art by Pete Woods.
On sale 28th August.
Note: Absolute Power: Task Force VII #5 features Velocity and Barry Allen.
Absolute Power: Origins #2 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by John Ridley. Art by Alitha Martinez.
On sale 28th August
Green Arrow (2023 series) #15 (Tie-in)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Amancay Nahuelpan.
On sale 28th August
Batman (2016 series) #152 (Tie-in)
Written by Chip Zdarsky and Kelly Thompson. Art by Mike Hawthorne and Mattia De Iulis.
On sale 4th September
Absolute Power #3 (of 4)
Written by Mark Waid. Art by Dan Mora.
On sale 4th September
Note: Batman (2016 series) #152 features tie-in story starring Batman and Catwoman. The back-up feature also ties into Absolute Power and stars Birds of Prey.
Green Lantern (2023 series) #15 (Tie-in)
Written by Jeremy Adams and Phillip Kennedy Hohnson. Art by Fernando Pasarin, Oclair and Montos.
On sale 11th September.
Absolute Power: Super Son (Tie-in)
Written by Sina Grace and Nicole Maines. Art by John Timms and Travis Mercer.
On sale 18th September
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #6 (of 7) (tie-in)
Written by Stephanie Williams. Art by Khary Randolph.
On sale 11th September
Note: Absolute Power: Task Force VII #6 features the Amazons.
Wonder Woman (2023 series) #13 (Tie-in)
Written by Tom King. Art by Tony S. Daniel, and Belén Ortega.
On sale 18th September
Superman (2023 series) #18 (Tie-in)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Jamal Campbell.
On sale 18th September
Note: Like Superman (2023 series) #17, the variant cover for issue #18 has also been cancelled due to AI accusations. The variant covered for this issue triggered the accusations.
Green Arrow (2023 series) #16 (Tie-in)
Written by Joshua Williamson. Art by Amancay Nahuelpan.
On sale 25th September
Absolute Power: Task Force VII #7 (of 7) (tie-in)
Written by Dan Watters. Art by Fran Galan.
On sale 25th September
Note: Absolute Power: Task Force VII #7 takes place during Absolute Power #3 but leads into Absolute Power #4.
Absolute Power: Origins #3 (of 3) (Tie-in)
Written by John Ridley. Art by Alitha Martinez.
On sale 25th September
Absolute Power #4 (of 4)
Written by Mark Waid. Art by Dan Mora.
On sale 2nd October
Buy Absolute Power issues on…
After Absolute Power
Absolute Power sets up the next big thing in DC Comics – the All In publishing initiative. The following titles are the ones we know will deal directly with the events of Absolute Power.
DC All In Special #1
Written by Joshua Williamson and Scott Snyder. Art by Daniel Sampre and Wes Craig.
All In is DC Comics’ big publishing initiative that will reverberate out of the conclusion of Absolute Power – especially Absolute Power #4. It will see dozens of new jumping-on points and new stories start. Additionally, it will kickstart the Absolute Universe.
Green Lantern Civil Corps Special #1
Written by Jeremy Adams and Phillip Kennedy Johnson. Art by Salvador Larroca.
This oversized one-shot will bridge the gap between Absolute Power and future Green Lantern comics.
Green Arrow #350
Written by Joshua Williamson and Chris Condon. Art by Montos.
This milestone issue concludes Joshua Williamson’s run on Green Arrow and deals with the fallout of Absolute Power. It also kicks off the new run by Chris Condon and Montos.
Justice League Unlimited (2024 series) #1
Written by Mark Waid. Art by Dan Mora.
The conclusion of Absolute Power will see the Justice League reform – bigger and better than ever. Inspired by the animated series, Justice League Unlimited will have a rotating roster based on the requirements of the mission.
Challengers of the Unknown (2024 series) #1
Written by Christopher Cantwell. Art Sean Izaakse.
The conclusion of Absolute Power sets up a new Challengers of the Unknown series.
Justice League: The Atom Project #1
Written by John Ridley and Ryan Parrott. Art by Mike Perkins.
This miniseries picks up on the threads of heroes with missing and altered powers.
Aquaman (2025 series) #1
Written by Jeremy Adams. Art by John Timms.
Aquaman gets a new power set due to the events of Absolute Power.
DC Power: Rise of the Power Company #1
Written by Zipporah Smith, Brandon Thomas, and Vita Ayala. Art by Kelsey Ramsay, Ray-Anthony Height, and Charles Stewart III.
“Waller was Right” paramilitary groups have taken to the streets to take back Earth for the human race. Josiah Power, a meta-attorney, set out to form a team to protect black and brown communities and stem the hate from the violent paramilitary groups. This will be followed up by The Power Company: Recharged one-shot.
Fire & Ice: When Hell Freezes Over #1
Written by Joanne Starer. Art by Stephen Byrne.
Fire and Ice find that their powers have swapped after the conclusion of Absolute Power.
Collected editions
Those wanting to read Absolute Power in a collected format should check out these trade paperbacks and hardcovers. DC Comics will announce future collections at a later date.
Absolute Power
Collects: Absolute Power: Ground Zero and Absolute Power #1-4
On sale 4th February, 2025
Absolute Power: Origins
Collects: Absolute Power: Origins #1-3
On sale 4th February, 2025
Absolute Power: Taskforce VII
Collects: Absolute Power: Taskforce VII #1-7
On sale 4th February, 2025
Superman Volume 3: Justice Reborn
Collects: Superman (2023 series) #16-21
Wonder Woman Volume 2: Sacrifice
Collects: Wonder Woman (2023 series) #7-13
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