DC Studios’ recently announced Absolute Batman animated series is a great sign the studio recognizes the value of adapting acclaimed alternate-universe stories rather than limiting itself to traditional superhero stories. Because some of DC’s most exciting ideas often exist outside the main timeline and canon, it’s very exciting to think about what else could come after.
Alongside the Absolute Batman animated series reveal, DC Studios also announced Joker: Laugh Riot, another alternate-universe series that will see the Crown Prince of Crime grappling with the loss of his greatest foe and going after the person who murdered Batman. In the hopes that DC Studios will continue developing alternate-universe stories in animation, one recent Elseworlds comic series absolutely deserves its own adaptation, as it’s essentially DC’s epic take on Game of Thrones: Tom Taylor’s Dark Knights of Steel.
Transforming the entire DC Universe into a realm of medieval fantasy with powerful kingdoms, dragons, political intrigue, and legendary heroes wielding swords alongside their powers, the result is one of the most epic alternate realities DC has ever produced. With current shows like House of the Dragon and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power being major medieval fantasy streaming powerhouses, an animated adaptation of Dark Knights of Steel feels like a no-brainer, especially with its brand-new sequel series.
DC Comics Has Its Own Game of Thrones Series: Dark Knights of Steel
Created by Tom Taylor and Yasmine Putri, Dark Knights of Steel ran for 12 issues from 2021-2023, a medieval fantasy epic where the House of El ruled its own Earthly kingdom not long after Jor-El, Lara, and their son crash-landed from Krypton. Featuring a sprawling realm filled with rival kingdoms like Amazonia and the Kingdom of Storms, classic heroes are reimagined as knights and certain abilities are reinterpreted as medieval magic, Dark Knights of Steel is as new and exciting as it is familiar for longtime DC Universe fans.
Batman is still Bruce Wayne, a young knight raised alongside Prince Kal-El after Bruce’s parents were killed and Kal-El’s parents took over as rulers. Wonder Woman is still an Amazon champion. Harley Quinn is a royal court jester, and Amanda Waller is the Kingdom of El’s master of spies. Featuring a full roster of characters, Tom Taylor does an incredible job playing with origins and relationships in all kinds of fascinating ways, with twists as worthy as Jon Snow’s true parentage in Game of Thrones.
Bold Reimagining · Alternate DC Universe Test Your DC Comics Absolute Universe Knowledge
♆️SupermanReimagined
🦇BatmanNo billions
⚔️Wonder WomanReforged
⚡FlashSpeed
🌐UniverseAbsolute
01
DC’s Absolute Universe is a new line of comics launched in late 2024 that reimagines iconic DC heroes in a world without the legacy advantages they traditionally have. Which DC event/storyline set up the creation of the Absolute Universe?
✓ Correct! The Absolute Universe was born from Darkseid rewriting reality in the current DC continuity. This cosmic act of villainy created a parallel world where DC’s greatest heroes exist without the advantages and support systems they traditionally rely on.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Darkseid’s rewriting of the DC Multiverse. While Dark Crisis, Infinite Frontier, and Flashpoint Beyond are all significant DC events, it was Darkseid’s manipulation of reality that gave birth to the Absolute Universe.
02
In Absolute Superman, Kal-El’s origin is dramatically different from the main universe. Instead of being raised by the Kents in Smallville, how does Absolute Superman grow up?
✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Kal-El lands not with the Kents but in an immigrant community, growing up without wealth or privilege. This reimagining strips away Superman’s traditional support system while keeping his core values of hope and justice intact.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is that he’s raised in an immigrant community with no wealth or privilege. The Absolute line is built on the concept of heroes without their traditional advantages, and Superman’s new upbringing reflects this perfectly.
03
Absolute Batman reimagines Bruce Wayne without his billionaire status. In this version, Bruce Wayne has a very different civilian occupation. What is Absolute Batman’s day job?
✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Bruce Wayne works as an engineer and construction worker. Without the Wayne fortune or Wayne Enterprises, this Bruce builds his gear and gadgets with his own hands and working-class ingenuity, making him a truly self-made Batman.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is engineer / construction worker. Absolute Batman strips Bruce Wayne of his billionaire status entirely. This Bruce is a massive, imposing figure who uses his engineering skills and physical labor background to craft his own Batman arsenal.
04
Absolute Batman’s costume and physique are dramatically different from the traditional Batman. This version of Bruce Wayne is much larger and more imposing. Who is the writer of Absolute Batman?
✓ Correct! Scott Snyder, who previously wrote the acclaimed New 52 Batman run, is the writer of Absolute Batman. His bold reimagining of Bruce Wayne as a working-class hero without billions has been one of the breakout hits of the Absolute Universe line.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Scott Snyder. Known for his legendary Batman run featuring the Court of Owls and other iconic storylines, Snyder returned to the Dark Knight with Absolute Batman, completely reinventing Bruce Wayne for this new universe.
05
Absolute Wonder Woman reimagines Diana in a significantly different setting. In this version, the character’s mythology and origin pull from different cultural influences. Who is the writer of Absolute Wonder Woman?
✓ Correct! Kelly Thompson writes Absolute Wonder Woman, bringing a fresh take on Diana’s mythology and origin. This version reimagines Wonder Woman’s world with different cultural influences while maintaining the warrior spirit at the core of the character.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Kelly Thompson. While all four writers are acclaimed in the comics industry, it’s Thompson who helms Absolute Wonder Woman, crafting a bold new vision for Diana in the Absolute Universe.
06
The Absolute Universe was created as a result of Darkseid altering reality. A key difference is that in this universe, heroes don’t have the traditional advantages and support systems. What concept describes this — that these heroes exist without their usual “safety nets”?
✓ Correct! “Heroes without legacy” is the core concept of the Absolute Universe. These versions of DC’s iconic characters exist without the inherited advantages, mentors, wealth, and support networks that traditionally define them — forcing them to become heroes purely on their own terms.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is “Heroes without legacy.” The Absolute Universe is built on the idea that Darkseid stripped these heroes of their legacies — Batman has no fortune, Superman has no Kents, Wonder Woman has no Themyscira as we know it.
07
Absolute Flash reimagines Wally West in the Absolute Universe. In this version, the Flash’s connection to the Speed Force is portrayed differently. Who is the writer of Absolute Flash?
✓ Correct! Jeff Lemire, known for his deeply human storytelling in titles like Sweet Tooth and Animal Man, writes Absolute Flash. His take on Wally West reimagines the speedster’s relationship with the Speed Force in the context of the Absolute Universe’s stripped-down heroic landscape.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jeff Lemire. While Williamson, Waid, and Adams have all written excellent Flash stories in the main continuity, it’s Lemire who brings his unique storytelling vision to Absolute Flash.
08
Absolute Superman is written and drawn by a critically acclaimed creator who handles both the writing and art duties on the series. Who is this creator?
✓ Correct! Absolute Superman is written by Jason Aaron with art by Rafa Sandoval. Together they’ve crafted a powerful reimagining of Kal-El, placing him in an immigrant community without the Kent family’s support, creating one of the most compelling new takes on the character in years.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jason Aaron (writer) with Rafa Sandoval (art). While Jim Lee, Grant Morrison, and Jorge Jiménez are all legendary DC creators, it’s the Aaron and Sandoval team that brings Absolute Superman to life.
Analysis Complete Your Absolute Knowledge
/ 8
Are you an Absolute expert — or still in the main continuity?
The Dark Knights of Steel alt-universe has also expanded in recent years beyond the original twelve-issue series. There’s been Dark Knights of Steel: Allwinter, which explored the realm’s frozen north with Slade’s “The Deathstroke” at its center, inspired by Norse vikings.
Likewise, July just kicked off Tom Taylor and Otto Schmidt’s Dark Knights of Steel II, a brand-new epic taking place after the major war and alliances formed in the wake of the first series. Introducing Aquaman with exciting new origins and teasing major threats from the oceans, the new sequel proves there’s so much room for this medieval fantasy version of the DC Universe to keep growing, a perfect foundation for a potential animated adaptation one day.
Absolute Batman Is Cool, But A Medieval DC Universe Deserves An Adaptation Too
Don’t get me wrong, the upcoming Absolute Batman animated series is an excellent choice for an animated series. Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s reinvention of The Dark Knight is unquestionably one of DC’s biggest publishing successes ever, and bringing the original creative team onboard is a very exciting sign that the show will be adapted well.
That said, Dark Knights of Steel has the major benefit of showcasing an entire DC Universe reimagined rather than a single hero’s mythology and city (though I do hope Absolute Batman’s potential success as a show inspires other shows set in the same universe).
Featuring massive battles between armies, shifting political alliances, betrayals, romance, monsters, magic, and more, Taylor’s alt-DC Universe epic features the exact kind of sweeping fantasy storytelling that prestige television has been loving for years. All things considered, Dark Knights of Steel feels like one of the biggest no-brainers for future DC Studios adaptations when it comes to alt-universe comics.
