Premiere issue of an ongoing series in the Absolute Universe, a dimension built on Darkseid energy
Introduction of Alfred Pennyworth, an M16 agent
Introduction of Black Mask
Introduction of Waylon Jones, Killer Crock in the mainstream universe
Introduction of Martha Wayne, Commissioner Gordon, Barbara Gordon, Harvey Bullock
Introduction of Selina Kyle, Oswald Cobblepot, Edward Nygma, Harvey Dent - as children in a photograph
Introduction of Matches Malone
Introduction of Joker, first cameo appearance
Introduction of Julia Pennyworth, cameo appearance
Introduction and death of Thomas Wayne
1st team appearance of the Party Animals, led by Black Mask
Absolute Batman #1 preceded by a 16-page black and white ashcan preview
🏅#1 on the Hot 10
Transactions from this week that sold for higher than the previous twelve-month average:
9.8 sold for $417 [$401 in Nov] +4%
9.8 sold for $415 [$401 in Nov] +3%
9.8 sold for $412 [$401 in Nov] +3%
9.4 sold for $225 [$167 in Oct] +35%
TAN SKETCH VARIANT 9.6 sold for $1,080 [$850 in Sep] +27%
LEE FOIL VARIANT 9.8 sold for $150 [$123 in Jan] +22%
SECOND PRINTING DRAGOTTA FOIL VARIANT 9.8 sold for $80 [$65 in Jan] +23%
BERTRAM FOIL VARIANT 9.8 sold for $210 [$200 in Dec] +5%
TAN VARIANT 9.8 sold for $240 [$209 in Dec] +15%
LEE SKETCH VARIANT 9.8 sold for $190 [$180 in Dec] +6%
TOMMASO UK DIAMOND VARIANT 9.6 sold for $89 [No Previous Data]
THIRD PRINTING AKIRA SKETCH VARIANT 9.8 sold for $185 [$165 in Nov] +12%
FOURTH PRINTING DRAGOTTA SKETCH VARIANT 9.8 sold for $100 [$77 in Sep] +30%
This marks the 8th week in 2025 that Absolute Batman #1 has ranked on the Key Collector Comics Hot 10 and its 6th appearance in the top spot
DC recently disclosed sales data to The Hollywood Reporter celebrating a successful year in the comic book business and much of it related to the Absolute Universe line of titles
DC revealed individual issues related to the Absolute Universe sold, in total, 8.2 million units which does not account for December sales
Absolute Batman makes up for 35% or three million units of the total
Absolute Batman #1 is now in its 10th printing
Absolute Batman #15, the story that gave readers a glimpse into the continued mystery of the Joker’s background had orders of over 300,000 copies
Sources also stated that 5 out of the 6 Absolute titles outperformed previous reboots of their universe like the New 52 (2011) and Rebirth (2016)
DC also disclosed that their Batman #1 relaunch, written by Matt Fraction has sold over 500,000 copies
Other single issue comics in DC’s top 5 sold this year include: Batman Deadpool #1, Absolute Batman #15, Batman #158 and DC K.O. #1
DC has also claimed success with their line of Compact Comics, paperback collections of important story arc, a format that has since been emulated by other publishers
For more information about the biggest hits and misses this year, check out the latest KEY COLLECTOR COMICS YOUTUBE VIDEO
