Published Jun 9, 2026, 4:00 PM 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.
One of the most exciting titles to come out of the Absolute Universe this year is Absolute Catwoman. While spun off from Absolute Batman, the comic book already has a spin-off of its own for fans to look forward to.
Absolute Cassandra Cain is leading her own one-shot called Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow’s Hand #1.
Image via DC ComicsThe comic book aims to uncover the origin story of the young-but-deadly assassin and explain how her story relates to that of Selina Kyle. According to the official synopsis of Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow’s Hand #1, it will even reveal more about the backstory of one Absolute Joker, who was previously depicted in Absolute Batman #15.
Years ago, The Joker trained with the League of Assassins, and when he learned all he could, he slaughtered everyone. Out of the wreckage rose Lady Shiva and her daughter, Cassandra Cain. Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow’s Hand #1 reveals the origin of the Absolute Universe's most formidable assassin, and how her story is one that is intertwined with the world's greatest thief, Selina Kyle!
Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow’s Hand #1 is set to be published between the release of issues #3 and #4 of its miniseries predecessor. Che Grayson, who co-writes Absolute Catwoman with Absolute Batman author and Absolute Universe overseer Scott Snyder, pens the one-shot herself.
The artist for Absolute Catwoman, France's own Bengal, designs the main cover art for Absolute Cassandra Cain. However, the one-shot is illustrated by Matias Bergara, who is also the mastermind behind the variant cover seen above. The Uruguayan artist is previously known for his work with writer Simon Spurrier, namely Boom! Studios' apocalyptic fantasy, Coda, and an Image Comics release that is also about a young woman at odds with violent circumstances called Step By Bloody Step.
Scott Snyder Previously Teased Absolute Cassandra Cain's Debut
Image via DC ComicsAbsolute Cassandra Cain makes her debut in Absolute Catwoman, in its first issue, just as Scott Snyder once hinted at. He never specified in which Absolute Universe title she would appear during his May 2026 interview for the ComicPop Returns channel on YouTube, but the six-issue limited series was almost immediately recognized as a prime suspect.
The fan-favorite character is created by writer Kelley Puckett and artist Damion Scott, who first brought her into the DC Universe in 1999's Batman #567, at which point she was depicted as a bodyguard for the League of Assassins' immortal leader, Ra's al Ghul, having been trained to do so since birth. However, she would come to use her deadly martial arts skills as a force for good after joining the Bat-Family and succeeding the Batgirl moniker from Barbara Gordon.
Cassandra even became the first Batgirl to lead her own self-titled ongoing series before going on to fight crime under additional aliases, such as Kasumi and Black Bat. However, she is the third character known to use that moniker to be introduced into the Absolute Universe, following Barbara Gordon's Absolute Batman #1 appearance as a Gotham City police officer and Stephanie Brown, whose brief tenure as Robin earned her a spot alongside the Absolute Robins, who entered the mix in the smash-hit series' nineteenth issue.
Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow’s Hand #1 hits the shelves Sept. 9.
Created by Scott Snyder
Character(s) Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Catwoman, Green Arrow, Barbara Gordon, Bane, Ra's Al Ghul, Guy Gardner, Abin Sur, Lois Lane
English (US) · 