DC Comics Absolute Edition
DC Comics Absolute Edition is a series of archival quality printings of graphic novels published by DC Comics and its imprints WildStorm Productions and Vertigo. Each is presented in a hardcover, dustjacketed and slipcased edition with cloth bookmark consisting of one or more books which include restored, corrected and recolored versions of the original work, reprinted at 8 inches by 12 inches. Also included are supplemental materials regarding the creation of the work, including sketches, comic scripts and memos.
Titles
The following titles in the series have been released or announced.''Absolute Art of Adam Hughes''
Features the best of Eisner Award-winning artist Adam Hughes’ covers for DC Comics plus commentary from the artist, rarely seen preliminary material and more. Includes everything from Cover Run: The DC Comics Art of Adam Hughes and more than 100 additional covers with new commentary. Release date: TBA..''The Authority''
- Absolute Authority Volume 1 – Collects The Authority # 1–12. Released 2002.. Currently out of print.
- Absolute Authority Volume 2 – Collects The Authority # 13–20, 22, & 27–29. Released 2003.. Currently out of print.
- Absolute Authority Vol. 1. Collects The Authority #1–12, Planetary/The Authority: Ruling the World, and a story from Wildstorm: A Celebration of 25 Years. Release date: October 17, 2017..
- Absolute Authority Vol. 2. Collects The Authority #13–29, Authority Annual 2000 and stories from Wildstorm Summer Special. Introduction by Tim Miller. Release date: July 31, 2018..
''Batman''
- Absolute Batman: Hush – Reprinting "" storyline from Batman #608–619. This absolute volume includes additional sketches and character designs by Jim Lee. Released October 1, 2005..
- Absolute Dark Knight – Collects ' and ' by Frank Miller. Extras include character design sketches. Released August 23, 2006.
- Absolute Batman: The Long Halloween – Reprints ' #1–13, and includes an introduction/interview with Batman filmmakers Christopher Nolan and David S. Goyer, an interview and commentary by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale, and 4 new pages inserted into the story. Released April 4, 2007..
- Absolute Batman: Dark Victory – Reprints ' #0–13. Released May 23, 2012..
- Absolute Batman and Robin: Batman Reborn – Reprints Batman and Robin #1–16 and '. Released January 15, 2013..
- Absolute Batman Incorporated – Reprints Batman Incorporated #1–8, Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Rises, Batman, Incorporated #1–13, and Batman Incorporated Special. Released January 7, 2015.
- Absolute Batman: Haunted Knight – Collects Batman: A Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special #1, Batman: Madness -A Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special #1, Batman: Ghosts – A Legends of the Dark Knight Halloween Special #1 and Catwoman: When in Rome #1–6. Includes additional design, sketch and script pages. Release date: December 2, 2014..
- Absolute Batman: The Court of Owls – Collects Batman #1–11. Includes bonus material. Release date: December 8, 2015..
- Absolute All-Star Batman and Robin: The Boy Wonder Collects All-Star Batman and Robin #1–10. Includes bonus material. Release date: July 8, 2014..
- Absolute Batman: Year One – Collects Batman #404–407. Includes complete scripts and pencil breakdowns for all four issues and more. Release date: November 8, 2016. .
- Absolute Batman: The Killing Joke ' – Collects Batman: Black and White #4, ', Countdown #31, Cover Story: The DC Comics Art of Brian Bolland, Joker: Last Laugh #1 and 6, Joker’s Greatest Stories Ever Told, Who’s Who in the DC Universe #13 and Wonder Woman #96. Release date: September 11, 2018..
- Absolute Batman: The Black Mirror – Collects Detective Comics #871–881. Includes bonus material. Release date: May 28, 2019..
- Absolute Batman: Arkham Asylum ' – Reprinting of the psychological masterpiece by Grant Morrison with art by Dave McKean. Release date: September 17, 2019..
- Absolute Batman: The Dark Knight – Master Race – Collects the nine-issue miniseries and its mini-comic tie-in issues, as well as some previously unpublished material. Release date: December 10, 2019..
- Absolute Dark Knight – Collects Batman: The Dark Knight Returns #1–4 and Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again'' #1–3. Includes bonus design and story pages. Release date: September 8, 2020..
''Crisis on Infinite Earths''
''Danger Girl''
Contains two volumes in a slipcased hardcover set. A 262-page collection of Danger Girl # 1–7 and a separate 64-page Sketchbook. Limited to 3012 copies, each including a signed and numbered tipped-in plate.Released December 17, 2003.. Currently out of print.
''Daytripper''
Collects Daytripper #1–10. Release date: April 7, 2020..''DC: The New Frontier''
Contains 13 all-new pages, and one modified, which were trimmed from the original printings. Annotations, cover gallery, sketchbook and notes. Released October 4, 2006.. Another printing was released August 28, 2009. To be released July 24, 2012.''Death''
Collects The Sandman #8 and #20, Death: The High Cost of Living #1–3, Death: The Time of Your Life #1–3, "A Winter's Tale" from Vertigo: Winter's Edge #2, "The Wheel" from 9–11: The World’s Finest Comic Book Writers & Artists Tell Stories to Remember, and "Death and Venice" from The Sandman: Endless Nights. Extras include the "Death Talks About Life" AIDS pamphlet, script and pencils for The Sandman #8, a complete reproduction of Death Gallery, a section on the collectibles inspired by Death, and sketches by Chris Bachalo. Published November 2009.''Death'' (new edition)
Collects Death: The High Cost of Living and Death: The Time of Your Life; "The Sound of Her Wings" and "Facade" from The Sandman #8 and 20; "Death and Venice" from The Sandman: Endless Nights; "A Winter’s Tale" and "The Wheel". Introduction by Amanda Palmer. Also includes extensive galleries of Death portraits and retail products, sketches by Chris Bachalo and the entire original script of The Sandman #8. Release date January 7, 2020..''Final Crisis''
Collects Final Crisis #1–7, Final Crisis: Submit #1, Final Crisis: Superman Beyond #1–2 as well as additional JG Jones design pages with commentary by Grant Morrison.. Released on November 6, 2012.''Flashpoint''
Collects Flashpoint #1–5. Includes scripts, design sketches and more. Release date: January 15, 2019..''Fourth World''
Collects Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #133-139 and #141-148, The New Gods #1-11, The Forever People #1-11, Mister Miracle #1-18, plus later stories from New Gods #4 and DC Graphic novel #4. Release date: June 30, 2020.''Green Arrow''
Reprints Green Arrow #1–15 by Kevin Smith and Phil Hester. Released on April 7, 2015. .''Green Lantern''
- Absolute Green Lantern: Rebirth – Reprints #1–6. Released April 27, 2010.
- Absolute Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps War – Reprints Green Lantern #21–25, Green Lantern Corps #14–19 and Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps Special #1. Released September 2012.
- Absolute Green Lantern: Blackest Night – Reprints Blackest Night #0, Blackest Night #1–8, Untold Tales of the Blackest Night #1, DC Universe #0, Blackest Night Director's Cut #1, and Green Lantern #43–48 and 50–52. Released on June 26, 2013.
- Absolute Green Lantern / Green Arrow. Collects the early 1970’s team-ups written by Dennis O'Neil with art by Neal Adams. Includes scripts, character development pages and character sketches. Release date: December 29, 2015..
''Identity Crisis''
''Infinite Crisis''
Collects Infinite Crisis #1–7 by Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis, George Pérez, Phil Jimenez, Joe Bennett, Jerry Ordway. Released on December 7, 2016..''Luthor / Joker''
Contains two volumes in a slipcase hardcover set by Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo. Release date: October 29, 2013..- Joker – Released November 4, 2008.
- – Released October 26, 2010.
''Justice League''
- Kingdom Come – By Alex Ross and Mark Waid. Released October 16, 2018..
- Justice – By Jim Krueger and Alex Ross. Released on November 17, 2009..
- Justice League: Origin – Part of The New 52. By Geoff Johns and Jim Lee. Released October 3, 2017.
- Justice League: The World's Greatest Superheroes – By Paul Dini and Alex Ross. First edition released July 2005. Second edition released on November 7, 2017..
''The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen''
- The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume I, Absolute Edition – In addition to the full six issue run of the first series in the first of the set's two books the second book contains scripts for each of the issues as well as penciled original art and production sketches. Released June 18, 2003.. Currently out of print.
- The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Volume II, Absolute Edition – In addition to the full six issue run of the second series in the first of the set's two books the second book contains scripts for each of the issues as well as penciled original art and production sketches. Released August 1, 2005.. Currently out of print.
- – Besides the slipcase, no bonus material whatsoever except for two new endpapers by series artist Kevin O'Neill. DC solicited the title with an LP that was originally intended by the authors for inclusion in the hardcover release, but reneged. Released August 12, 2008..
''Planetary''
- Absolute Planetary 1 – Collects Planetary #1–12. Released January 1, 2005.. Currently out of print.
- Absolute Planetary 2 – Collects Planetary #13–27. July 7, 2010..
- Absolute Planetary Book One . Collects Planetary #1–12. Includes the full script from issue #1. Release date: July 13, 2010..
- Absolute Planetary Book Two. Collects Planetary #13–27. Includes 14 pages of additional content. Release date: July 20, 2010..
''Preacher''
- Absolute Preacher 1 – Collects Preacher #1–26. Released July 12, 2016.
- Absolute Preacher 2 – Collects Preacher #27–40. Released May 09, 2017.
- Absolute Preacher 3 – Collects Preacher #41–66. Released Apr 25, 2018.
''Promethea''
- Absolute Promethea 1 – Collects Promethea #1–12. Released on September 30, 2009..
- Absolute Promethea 2 – Collects Promethea #13–23. September 29, 2010..
- Absolute Promethea 3 – Collects Promethea #24–32, as well as Tom Strong #36. Released December 20, 2011..
''Ronin''
- Ronin Absolute Edition – Released September 30, 2008..
''Sandman''
- The Absolute Sandman Vol. 1, collecting The Sandman #1–20. Extras include Gaiman's original series pitch, character designs charting the visual development of Dream, script and pencils for The Sandman #19, and Gaiman's prose summary of the first seven issues from The Sandman #8, which features story beats not in the original comics. Released October 11, 2006..
- The Absolute Sandman Vol. 2, collecting The Sandman #21–39. Extras include the Desire story "The Flowers of Romance" from Vertigo: Winter's Edge #1, script and pencils for The Sandman #23, humorous biographies of the contributors, a section on DC’s official “Sandman Month,” a prose story from the box of the first Sandman statue detailing the statue’s history, and a complete reproduction of A Gallery of Dreams. Released October 11, 2007.
- The Absolute Sandman Vol. 3, collecting The Sandman #40–56, "Fear of Falling" from Vertigo Preview #1, and Sandman Special #1. Extras include the Desire story "How They Met Themselves" from Vertigo: Winter's Edge #3, script and thumbnails from The Sandman #50, art galleries from The Sandman #50 and Sandman Special #1, a gallery of works inspired by the Endless, a section on Jill Thompson's "Little Endless" series, and a gallery of statues inspired by The Sandman #50. Released June 11, 2008.
- The Absolute Sandman Vol. 4, collecting The Sandman #57–75 and "The Castle" from Vertigo Jam #1. Extras include script and developmental art for The Sandman #57 and #75, a timeline of The Sandman’s production from Gaiman’s initial pitch to the publication of the last issue, and sections on the merchandise inspired by The Sandman. Released November 18, 2008.
- The Absolute Sandman Vol. 5, collecting "The Last Sandman Story" from Dust Covers: The Collected Sandman Covers, The Sandman: The Dream Hunters, The Sandman: Endless Nights, and Sandman Midnight Theatre #1, featuring Wesley Dodds. Extras include script, designs, and layouts for “The Heart of a Star” from Endless Nights, covers and sketches from the comics adaptation of The Dream Hunters, a gallery of Sandman-inspired posters, and a section on the figures and statues inspired by The Sandman. Released November 8, 2011.
- The Absolute Sandman: Overture, collecting The Sandman: Overture #1–6. Extras include the script for The Sandman: Overture #1, sections on Dave Stewart’s coloring process, Todd Klein’s lettering process, and Dave McKean’s cover art process, interviews with the creative team, and art by J.H. Williams. Released June 27, 2018.
''Scarlet''
''Superman''
- Absolute Superman: For Tomorrow – Reprinting the arc from Superman #204–215 by Brian Azzarello and Jim Lee. Released on May 5, 2009. Features original 2-page origin story..
- Absolute All-Star Superman – Reprinting the All-Star Superman series by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. Released on October 26, 2010..
- Absolute Superman/Batman Volume 1 – Collects Superman/Batman #1–13. Release date: September 3, 2013..
- Absolute Superman/Batman Volume 2 – Collects Superman/Batman #14–26. Extras include pencilled pages and character sketches. Release date: May 20, 2014..
''Swamp Thing''
- Absolute Swamp Thing by Alan Moore Vol. 1. Collects Saga of the Swamp Thing #20–34 and Swamp Thing Annual #2. Release date: October 22, 2019..
- Absolute Swamp Thing by Alan Moore Vol. 2. Collects Saga of the Swamp Thing #35-49. Release date: October 27, 2020.
ISBN 978-1779502827 .''Top 10''
''Transmetropolitan''
- Absolute Transmetropolitan Volume 1 – Collects Transmetropolitan #1–18, Transmetropolitan: I Hate it Here and Vertigo Winter's Edge #2. Released on June 16, 2015..
- Absolute Transmetropolitan Volume 2 – Collects Transmetropolitan #19–39 and Filth of the City. Released on May 24, 2016.
- Absolute Transmetropolitan Volume 3 – Collects Transmetropolitan #40–60, a new introduction by series author Warren Ellis and “a host of redacted extras from recently decrypted files.” Release date: November 13, 2018..
''V For Vendetta''
''Watchmen''
The supplemental material for this volume is reprinted from the limited edition Watchmen hardcover published by Graphitti Designs in 1987. It includes background on characters, the original creation process as well as brief essays by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons. Originally released October 5, 2005 it–along with other editions and material–was re-released on November 12, 2008 about six months ahead of the film adaptation.''WildC.A.T.s''
Absolute WildC.A.T.s by Jim Lee collects WildC.A.T.s #1–13, 31, 50; Cyberforce #1–3; WildC.A.T.s/X-MEN: The Silver Age #1; WildC.A.T.s Adventures #1 and WILDCATS #1. Includes sketches, concept designs and variant covers. Release date: March 13, 2018..''Wonder Woman''
- Absolute Wonder Woman by Azzarello & Chiang Vol. 1 – Collects Wonder Woman #0–18. Released on February 1, 2017.
- Absolute Wonder Woman by Brian Azzarello & Cliff Chiang Vol. 2. Collects Wonder Woman #19–35, Azzarello’s and Chiang’s story from Secret Origins #6 and more. Release date: February 13, 2018..
''Y: The Last Man''
- Absolute Volume 1 – Collects issues #1–20. Released on July 7, 2015.
- Absolute Y: The Last Man Volume 2 – Collects issues #21–40.Released on September 20, 2016.
- Absolute Y: The Last Man Volume 3 – Collects issues #41–60. Released on July 4, 2017.
Unofficial titles