DC Comics Revealed Absolute Batman Preview in New York
The publisher debuted a first look at the upcoming Barbara Gordon solo story during New York Comic Con.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Comic Books
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DC Comics has unveiled a preview for Absolute Batman #26, which features a dedicated origin story for Barbara Gordon. The character, known as The Bat in the Absolute Universe, made her initial vigilante appearance in issue #24.
Why it matters
This preview provides fans with a glimpse into the expansion of the Absolute Universe, highlighting the role of Barbara Gordon. The release helps map out the narrative trajectory for the series leading into the 2027 crossover events.
Absolute Batman #26 is scheduled for a winter 2027 release with illustrations by Cliff Chiang and a variant cover by Nick Dragotta. The series follows the upcoming issue #25, which releases on October 28, 2026.
The players
DC Comics
This American comic book publisher is a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Discovery and is one of the oldest and largest companies in the industry.
Scott Snyder
He is a prominent American comic book writer known for his extensive and influential work on the Batman franchise.
Cliff Chiang
He is a celebrated comic book artist and illustrator recognized for his distinct style and collaborations with major publishers.
Nick Dragotta
He is a professional comic book artist and designer known for his contributions to popular series and cover art.
Frank Martin
He is an experienced professional comic book colorist who works with various publishers on high-profile projects.
The details
Scott Snyder shared preview imagery during New York Comic Con at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan. The project features colorist Frank Martin and continues the character development of Barbara Gordon, who debuted in the current series as The Bat.
Timeline
October 28, 2026: Release date for Absolute Batman #25.
November 2026: Release window for the Absolute Batman: Beyond Ark-M Special #1.
Winter 2027: Planned release window for Absolute Batman #26.
April 2027: Premiere of the five-part Absolute Justice crossover series.
Roadmap
This reveal underscores the ongoing expansion of DC Comics' Absolute Universe through character-focused origin stories. It follows the narrative pattern established by the Absolute Universe relaunch to maintain engagement across its serialized installments.
Fans attending conventions in the future should monitor social media and official DC channels to catch similar exclusive previews. Readers can look forward to the release of issue #25 on October 28, 2026, to keep current with the evolving Absolute Universe plot.
The takeaway
The introduction of a solo story for Barbara Gordon highlights a strategic move to build out the supporting cast within the new series. Fans should note the release schedule for 2027 to stay informed as the crossover events begin.
Further reading
For more information on new releases, visit the Comic Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBR.
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