There's no denying how DC's new Absolute titles have been crushing it with new and old fans. Now one creator is opening up about why they think things are working so well.
In an interview with The Ultimates for Marvel Comics.
I think the Absolute Universe is much more like the original Ultimate Universe, where the goal is to update classic characters for the modern world from the ground up, You’re starting from scratch and rebuilding them in a way that makes sense today. With Ultimates, however, we’re assuming that people already know the broad strokes of these characters from the movies, TV shows, and previous comics. Instead of redoing their origins, we get to twist and reinterpret them in ways that feel fresh". "With Absolute Martian Manhunter, on the other hand, I approached it as if no one knew who the character was. It’s a complete reinvention, a radical psychological horror take on him, making him alien in a way that we haven’t really seen before.
Camp likens what DC Comics is doing with the Absolute line to Marvel's original Ultimate line, updating these characters for a more modern world and reinterpreting them in fascinating new ways. For Absolute Martian Manhunter, Camp approached the title and made "a complete reinvention" to the classic character.
DC's Risky Takes on Its Characters Make the Absolute Universe Work
Big Changes to Heroes Make for a Big Payoff
As seen in last year's DC All In Special, Darkseid's body was destroyed in a battle with the Justice League, sending his energy out into the ether. It largely settled on Earth-Alpha, shaping the universe into one that better reflected his ideals. In this world, things were far more challenging for everyone, especially the heroes. Yes, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman existed, but their histories were altered so that they lacked many of the things their Prime counterparts had, such as Batman lacking his family's wealth or Wonder Woman being raised in Hell instead of Paradise Island.
Camp makes a good point that the changes that have been featured in the Absolute Universe are what makes these titles so fascinating and engaging. These alterations aren't just glib, surface-level differences, but they fundamentally change how heroes like Wonder Woman and Superman act and operate. Not only are these changes interesting, they're also paying off financially. Camp's Absolute Martian Manhunter hasn't even come out yet, and it's already got pre-order numbers that DC didn't even expect. It’s clear fans are responding to what DC’s Absolute books are doing and the publisher needs to continue capitalizing on that.
Keep Going Bold Because DC Fans Are Loving These Books
The Absolute Universe Lets the Creator Take Big Swings
While Elseworlds have always allowed for new, creative storytelling choices, the Absolute Universe is something special. It’s not just slapping on a gimmick and running with it, these books are taking serious looks at beloved characters and finding new ways to work with them and make them more engaging with fans. It's rare for fans to see risks done in ways that matter, but with what DC’s doing here, it feels like the publisher’s allowing and even encouraging its creators to take chances.
That's not to say that creators need to make things different for the sake of them being different. But the formula isn't broken yet, so the writers and artists involved should be doing exactly what Camp and his collaborators are doing. The chances taken so far have been phenomenal and if the publisher keeps it up, the Absolute line could end up being the best thing DC Comics has done in years.
Source: AIPT
