Absolute Batman Could Break a Major DC Comics Record

16 hours ago 5

Published Jun 10, 2026, 8:00 AM EDT

Jason is an award-winning journalist whose writing career dates back to when he developed the ability to use a crayon. He, most notably, worked previously as a "professional fan," as he likes to call it, at CinemaBlend, for which he wrote about anything and everything under the pop culture umbrella... especially Batman. His passion for the art of cinema began even earlier, stemming from repeat viewings of The Wizard of Oz.
This initially led him to pursue a career in filmmaking -- and even work briefly in the industry as an extra in the straight-to-video family film, Alice Upside Down -- before deciding that his talents would be better served discussing and showing appreciation for the various forms of entertainment he is passionate about.

There are a few comic book series currently running today that are as popular as Absolute Batman, but by how much does this iteration of The Dark Knight outsell the rest? Well, just look at the astonishing numbers for its most recent issue.

Absolute Batman #20 has a great shot at becoming the best-selling Batman comic book of all time.

Author and Absolute Universe overseer Scott Snyder confirmed on June 7, 2026, via a social media post, that the issue has sold more than 500,000 copies. Of course, it had the advantage of being one of DC's most highly anticipated releases for months leading up to its release in May.

Snyder had long been teasing on social media that the cover art alone for Absolute Batman #20 would be a "big one." In fact, the first glimpse of the comic's front had to be redacted for a long time, but was replaced with a giant "R," indicating that the Absolute Robins would be entering the mix.

While the team of young, orphaned Gothamites — namely Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Duke Thomas — would make their official debut in Absolute Batman #19, the following issue saw them in action and using high-tech, larger-than-life mech suits to carry out their mission to hunt Bruce Wayne's alter ego. The Robin Program, trained by Slade "Absolute Deathstroke" Wilson and funded by Jack "Absolute Joker" Grimm V, is formed to catch the vigilante after he is wrongfully framed for the murder of Jim Gordon, which Absolute Scarecrow was truly responsible for.

The smash-hit series, which is even proving to help boost sales for other publishers like Image Comics, is illustrated by Nick Dragotta, who also designed the main cover art for Issue #20 in collaboration with colorist Frank Martin. The story continues when Absolute Batman #21, which will see the Caped Crusader take on his one-time childhood friends, Absolute Two-Face and Absolute Penguin, hits the shelves on June 17.

Absolute Batman #20's Record Is Tied With Batman #1

The only thing standing in the way of Absolute Batman #20 claiming the ultimate top spot among the best-selling Batman comics of all time is the other Batman comic sharing that position with it. That would be 2025's Batman #1.

DC's rebooted main timeline run for the iconic character launched in September of last year, amassing wide critical and commercial acclaim. As a result, just like Absolute Batman #20, Batman #1 went on to sell more than half a million copies.

Unlike Absolute Batman, this version of Bruce Wayne is without both parents, but still has his massive wealth and an extensive Bat-Family. However, the series has left readers in awe with its willingness to take a few creative liberties, such as introducing never-before-seen gear like the new and improved Bat-Signal 2.0, establishing Alfred Pennyworth as dead, and expanding on Gotham City's criminal underworld with new villains, such as an upcoming batch of baddies already being hailed as Batman's equivalent to the Sinister Six from Marvel.

The action in Batman is really beginning to heat up, especially with GCPD Commissioner Vandal Savage actively cracking down on the hero's vigilante operation and with the upcoming Batman: Bad Seeds event, which will see Mayor Pamela "Poison Ivy" Isely unleash her wrath onto the city. For as long as writer Matt Fraction and artist Jorge Jiménez's Batman runs concurrently with Absolute Batman, fans will have ongoing adventures of more than one version of their favorite superhero to follow.

Absolute Batman #20 and Batman #1 are both available to find in stores and on most digital reading platforms.