A renowned, award-winning comic writer recently shared their thoughts on X regarding the reasons behind the recent, unprecedented success and popularity of Ultimate DC. Although the post has since been deleted, and the writer will remain unnamed out of respect, their insights remain valid and worthy of further discussion.

Marvel, and especially DC, have experienced significant boosts in readership following the launch of their respective Ultimate and Absolute Universes–universes that coexist alongside the mainstream continuities, offering fresh takes on iconic characters, often with completely overhauled origin stories.

Both publishers have seen remarkable success with these titles. Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man and Ultimate X-Men are widely regarded as standout examples, while DC’s flagship Absolute titles—Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, and Absolute Superman—have also been incredibly well-received. And the key to the success of these titles can be summed up in one word: accessibility.

Ultimate Marvel & Absolute DC Are Succeeding Because of ACCESSIBILITY

Main Cover by Marco Checchetto & Matt Wilson for Ultimate Spider-Man #8 (2024)

What do Ultimate Spider-Man, Ultimate X-Men, Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman, and Absolute Superman all have in common? They’re accessible. In other words, you don’t need to have read anything beforehand to dive into these stories. One of the biggest barriers to reading comics is the overwhelming amount of backstory, lore, and history tied to many series. With titles often spanning hundreds of issues, figuring out where to begin can feel daunting. Even shorter runs are frequently tied to past events, leaving new readers confused or feeling like they’re missing important parts of the story.

It’s incredibly frustrating to be told you need to read “X,” “Y,” and “Z” just to understand a single comic or storyline, and this has long deterred potential fans from exploring the medium. However, Marvel’s Ultimate and DC’s Absolute lines solve this problem. These titles eliminate the need for prior reading. In fact, you don’t even need to be familiar with the characters. Designed to start fresh from square one, they provide an entry point that’s welcoming and easy to follow—making them the perfect antidote to the overwhelming complexity that has plagued comics for decades.

Are Marvel & DC Misinterpreting the Success of Their Ultimate & Absolute Titles?

Midtown Comics Connecting Variant by Dan Panosian for Absolute Wonder Woman #1 (2024)

Marvel and DC may be drawing the wrong conclusions from the success of their Ultimate and Absolute titles. Rather than attributing their popularity to accessibility, it seems the publishers are taking away the idea that “readers want more alternate versions of their favorite characters.” This isn’t an unreasonable assumption, as these titles do share the common trait of reimagining iconic heroes with fresh takes on their stories. However, the failure of DC’s New 52 suggests this conclusion misses the mark.

The New 52 also offered alternate versions of DC’s premier heroes, complete with new backgrounds and revised storylines. Yet, it was widely criticized and rejected by fans, ultimately becoming a significant misstep for the publisher. This failure indicates that simply presenting alternate versions of characters isn’t enough to captivate readers. Instead, the overwhelming success of Ultimate and Absolute titles seems to stem from their accessibility, offering a fresh starting point without the baggage of prior continuity. Hopefully, the comic industry recognizes this sooner rather than later, as accessibility—not just alternate versions—is the key to expanding readership.

DC & Marvel Just Found the Secret Ingredient to Comic Title Success

Main Cover by Peach Momoko for Ultimate X-Men #13 (2025)

If accessibility is indeed the key to the success of the Ultimate and Absolute lines, Marvel and DC have a golden opportunity to apply this approach to their ongoing and future titles beyond these specific universes. This doesn’t mean a complete overhaul is needed, nor does it call for abandoning the intricate, interconnected storytelling that defines comics. Rather, by keeping accessibility in mind when developing new storylines and titles, creators can make their content more inviting to a broader audience. Reducing the need for extensive prior knowledge and providing clear entry points could significantly increase engagement and enthusiasm among Marvel and DC fans, paving the way for a stronger, more inclusive comic landscape.