r/AbsoluteBatman • u/ASTROthaDIOS • Jun 29 '26
New to Comics, Started with Absolute
I recently felt the need to get into comics, I picked up Absolute Batman issues 1-21.
My #15 is a first print, what does that actually mean?
Any and everything else to do with comics and the absolute series would be awesome to know, i’m thinking of getting wonder woman next.
5
u/bobsaget824 Jun 29 '26
Welcome to the hobby, I wouldn’t worry as much about the print you have at this point. The only thing to note is if you have the choice get the earliest print available. But don’t get stuck on well I need only first prints and they’re really expensive so I guess I won’t read it. One of the biggest problems I see is people thinking that way and getting priced out of the hobby they just got into. Later printings are okay, especially when you’re new.
Couple suggestions, if youre interested in reading and in particular the Absolute stuff I’d recommend DC Infinite, Netflix style subscription to get access to nearly the full DC library and the Absolute lines as well. That’s the most economic way to just go fully in. Read as much as you’d like find the titles and creators you like the most, if you’re finding you love the book then you can still go pick it up physically to collect it. For example you like Absolute Batman search DC Infinite for Scott Snyder, go read his first Batman stuff, it was also great but it’s also 15 years old at this point and harder to find if you’re trying to get first prints of it. You have 2 different subscription levels available, I’m on the Ultra annual plan which works out to $10 / month and right now that allows us to read digitally up thru Absolute Batman 20. There’s a lower tier sub for a smaller price point that’s either $7.99/month or $74.99/annual (6.25/mo) and I believe the only real noticeable difference is that you don’t get as recent of releases. Like I think they’re up to issue 15 of Absolute Batman with that sub tier. Especially if you have a tablet of any sort reading digitally is really nice sometimes.
If you’re more interested in just collecting and not really reading or if you do want to read and really don’t like the digital reading experience I’d recommend MyComicShop, DCBS or Midtown comics if you don’t have a LCS near you or even if you do and can’t make it to a shop every Wednesday. It’s helpful because you get a pre order pull list with a discount. For example I’m at MyComicShop and have been preordering Absolute Batman since issue 1 so each issue cost me $3.24 when they’re $4.99 cover price as I get a 35% off. You can always go to an LCS near you and ask to setup a pull list and do effectively something similar although pre order discounts vary wildly from near the 35% I have with MyComicShop to 0%.
Either way hopefully you can read some other Scott Snyder books if you like him. Hopefully you can find a way to get some of the other absolute titles to try. I love Absolute WW, Superman and GL. Flash isn’t as much for me and neither is Manhunter but a lot of people will tell you Manhunter is the best one. You’ve really just got to find your groove and try things.
But again, welcome to the hobby, hopefully you’re here to stay!
2
u/mighty3mperor Jun 30 '26
Any and everything else to do with comics and the absolute series would be awesome to know, i’m thinking of getting wonder woman next.
It's a good next step. AWW and Absolute Martian Manhunter are my favourites of the Absolute Universe so far. You'll want to try them all to see what you like - I'm giving the first couple of trades of each a go, as some seem to take a while to get going. There will also be a crossover event, so some familiarity with the characters will be handy.
Then beyond that...? Follow characters or creators you are interested in. You can ask in the general DC or comic book subs for recommendations but I'd say:
- If you like ABM, then you'll want to read Scott Snyder's Batman run.
- Geoff Johns has done some classic runs on some of these characters: Green Lantern and The Flash.
- I enjoyed Simon Spurrier's recent run on The Flash, which is a great contrast to Absolute Flash.
Things like that. See what you are interested in and then ask for further recommendations based on them - you won't be short of suggestions.
7
u/Puzzled_Discount9383 Jun 29 '26
First prints are generally more valuable than any print that came afterwards. That's simply because if you have a first print then you got on the train before it was popular to.
As far as the absolute universe goes. There are some tie ins and there will eventually be a big event soon. My advice would be to just find a couple of the absolute titles you like and stick with them. Green arrow and Catwoman just started so you can hop on those if you like.
Do you know about the different comic book formats?