Published Apr 20, 2026, 2:48 PM EDT
TJ Mills is an editor on ScreenRant's Comic team, where she combines her lifelong passion for DC with her analytical background as a former Intelligence Analyst. Since joining ScreenRant in 2023, she has specialized in covering major DC storylines, character evolutions, and industry developments.
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The last six years have been exceptional for Catwoman. The Gotham City Siren made her debut in The Batman as part of the The Batman Epic Crime Saga, her ongoing solo comic series is approaching its 87th issue, and she has landed yet another solo title with Absolute Catwoman. Across these different media, fans have seen a variety of interpretations of the character, and her latest costume design reveal teases a major shift in the status quo of her classic look.
As mentioned above, Catwoman has claimed her very own solo title in DC’s Absolute Universe, a reality created by Darkseid that reimagines the publisher’s most iconic heroes and villains with darker, more hardcore origin stories and costumes. Catwoman made her full, in-costume debut in Absolute Batman #12, written by Scott Snyder.
The issue revealed a brand-new look for the Gotham City Siren that felt recognizable yet wildly different from her typical costumes. The biggest change was her cat-ear helmet, a design reminiscent of the look worn by the Absolute Universe’s Black Mask. Now, DC’s solicitations for Absolute Catwoman #2 from writers Scott Snyder and Che Grayson and artist Bengal reveal new details about Selina Kyle’s Absolute Universe design, further highlighting just how dramatically this costume departs from the traditional status quo.
Bold Reimagining · Alternate DC Universe
Test Your DC Comics
Absolute Universe Knowledge
♆️SupermanReimagined
🦇BatmanNo billions
⚔️Wonder WomanReforged
⚡FlashSpeed
🌐UniverseAbsolute
ENTER THE ABSOLUTE UNIVERSE →
01
DC’s Absolute Universe is a new line of comics launched in late 2024 that reimagines iconic DC heroes in a world without the legacy advantages they traditionally have. Which DC event/storyline set up the creation of the Absolute Universe?
ADark Crisis BInfinite Frontier CDarkseid’s rewriting of the DC Multiverse in the current continuity DFlashpoint Beyond
✓ Correct! The Absolute Universe was born from Darkseid rewriting reality in the current DC continuity. This cosmic act of villainy created a parallel world where DC’s greatest heroes exist without the advantages and support systems they traditionally rely on.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Darkseid’s rewriting of the DC Multiverse. While Dark Crisis, Infinite Frontier, and Flashpoint Beyond are all significant DC events, it was Darkseid’s manipulation of reality that gave birth to the Absolute Universe.
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02
In Absolute Superman, Kal-El’s origin is dramatically different from the main universe. Instead of being raised by the Kents in Smallville, how does Absolute Superman grow up?
AHe is raised by the government BHe grows up on Krypton CHe is raised in an immigrant community with no wealth or privilege DHe is raised by Lex Luthor
✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Kal-El lands not with the Kents but in an immigrant community, growing up without wealth or privilege. This reimagining strips away Superman’s traditional support system while keeping his core values of hope and justice intact.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is that he’s raised in an immigrant community with no wealth or privilege. The Absolute line is built on the concept of heroes without their traditional advantages, and Superman’s new upbringing reflects this perfectly.
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03
Absolute Batman reimagines Bruce Wayne without his billionaire status. In this version, Bruce Wayne has a very different civilian occupation. What is Absolute Batman’s day job?
APolice officer BEngineer / construction worker CTeacher DJournalist
✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Bruce Wayne works as an engineer and construction worker. Without the Wayne fortune or Wayne Enterprises, this Bruce builds his gear and gadgets with his own hands and working-class ingenuity, making him a truly self-made Batman.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is engineer / construction worker. Absolute Batman strips Bruce Wayne of his billionaire status entirely. This Bruce is a massive, imposing figure who uses his engineering skills and physical labor background to craft his own Batman arsenal.
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04
Absolute Batman’s costume and physique are dramatically different from the traditional Batman. This version of Bruce Wayne is much larger and more imposing. Who is the writer of Absolute Batman?
ATom King BJames Tynion IV CScott Snyder DChip Zdarsky
✓ Correct! Scott Snyder, who previously wrote the acclaimed New 52 Batman run, is the writer of Absolute Batman. His bold reimagining of Bruce Wayne as a working-class hero without billions has been one of the breakout hits of the Absolute Universe line.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Scott Snyder. Known for his legendary Batman run featuring the Court of Owls and other iconic storylines, Snyder returned to the Dark Knight with Absolute Batman, completely reinventing Bruce Wayne for this new universe.
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05
Absolute Wonder Woman reimagines Diana in a significantly different setting. In this version, the character’s mythology and origin pull from different cultural influences. Who is the writer of Absolute Wonder Woman?
AG. Willow Wilson BKelly Thompson CBecky Cloonan DMariko Tamaki
✓ Correct! Kelly Thompson writes Absolute Wonder Woman, bringing a fresh take on Diana’s mythology and origin. This version reimagines Wonder Woman’s world with different cultural influences while maintaining the warrior spirit at the core of the character.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Kelly Thompson. While all four writers are acclaimed in the comics industry, it’s Thompson who helms Absolute Wonder Woman, crafting a bold new vision for Diana in the Absolute Universe.
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06
The Absolute Universe was created as a result of Darkseid altering reality. A key difference is that in this universe, heroes don’t have the traditional advantages and support systems. What concept describes this — that these heroes exist without their usual “safety nets”?
AHeroes without legacy BHeroes without hope CHeroes without privilege DGrounded heroes
✓ Correct! “Heroes without legacy” is the core concept of the Absolute Universe. These versions of DC’s iconic characters exist without the inherited advantages, mentors, wealth, and support networks that traditionally define them — forcing them to become heroes purely on their own terms.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is “Heroes without legacy.” The Absolute Universe is built on the idea that Darkseid stripped these heroes of their legacies — Batman has no fortune, Superman has no Kents, Wonder Woman has no Themyscira as we know it.
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07
Absolute Flash reimagines Wally West in the Absolute Universe. In this version, the Flash’s connection to the Speed Force is portrayed differently. Who is the writer of Absolute Flash?
AJeff Lemire BJoshua Williamson CMark Waid DJeremy Adams
✓ Correct! Jeff Lemire, known for his deeply human storytelling in titles like Sweet Tooth and Animal Man, writes Absolute Flash. His take on Wally West reimagines the speedster’s relationship with the Speed Force in the context of the Absolute Universe’s stripped-down heroic landscape.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jeff Lemire. While Williamson, Waid, and Adams have all written excellent Flash stories in the main continuity, it’s Lemire who brings his unique storytelling vision to Absolute Flash.
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08
Absolute Superman is written and drawn by a critically acclaimed creator who handles both the writing and art duties on the series. Who is this creator?
AJim Lee BJason Aaron (writer) with Rafa Sandoval (art) CGrant Morrison DJorge Jiménez
✓ Correct! Absolute Superman is written by Jason Aaron with art by Rafa Sandoval. Together they’ve crafted a powerful reimagining of Kal-El, placing him in an immigrant community without the Kent family’s support, creating one of the most compelling new takes on the character in years.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jason Aaron (writer) with Rafa Sandoval (art). While Jim Lee, Grant Morrison, and Jorge Jiménez are all legendary DC creators, it’s the Aaron and Sandoval team that brings Absolute Superman to life.
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New Look at Catwoman’s Next DC Design Reveals Major Costume Changes
Cover B Lesley 'Leirix' Li Variant for Absolute Catwoman #2 (2026)
While we already know what Selina Kyle’s standard Catwoman look will be thanks to Absolute Batman, a variant cover by Lesley “Leirix” Li for Absolute Catwoman #2 reveals some additional details. Li’s cover shows the return of Selina’s far more armored look, complete with the bulbous cat-eared helmet and a multi-segmented whip.
However, what truly makes Li’s cover stand out from the other variants, as well as from Nick Dragotta’s Catwoman design in Absolute Batman, are the glowing elements. Catwoman’s solid black visor lights up with eye-shaped golden light, while the segments of her whip glow with the same color. While fans have already seen hints of Selina’s whip glowing, the helmet's illuminated eyes are a new design element.
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While this change slightly alters the visual design and further separates the Absolute look from Catwoman’s traditional costumes, it also hints at something more significant. Typically, Catwoman’s suits across the main universe and other portrayals, including live-action films, are simply outfits. The Absolute version, however, strongly suggests a suit that is infused with advanced technology.
Because of that, this could potentially be the most powerful version of Catwoman fans have seen so far. The glowing eyes of the helmet and the illuminated whip both imply technological upgrades. The whip will likely possess capabilities beyond those of a standard non-tech weapon, while the helmet may serve not only as head protection but also as an advanced computer system. It may even connect Selina to one of Absolute Batman’s primary antagonists.
Absolute Catwoman Changes Selina Kyle’s Classic Relationship With Black Mask
Cover D Jonboy Meyers Variant for Absolute Catwoman #2 (2026)
Readers who have been following Absolute Batman will remember that the first villain Bruce Wayne faced in the series was Black Mask. His own helmet bears a striking resemblance to Catwoman’s new design. The comic strongly alluded to a connection between Black Mask, AKA Roman Sionis, and Selina, suggesting the possibility that the two may share an employer or at least access to similar technology.
This connection is likely to be explored further in the upcoming Absolute Catwoman series. Even now, it is an intriguing detail that the Catwoman and Black Mask of this universe appear to be linked in some way, and may even be operating on the same side. That idea is especially interesting because it essentially flips the dynamic currently playing out in Catwoman’s main continuity series.
In the primary DC universe, writer Torunn Grønbekk recently launched a storyline where Black Mask has set his sights on Selina and is pursuing revenge against her. In that title, Selina and Sionis are enemies locked in conflict. Meanwhile, in the Absolute Universe, Catwoman and Black Mask may instead be colleagues, or at the very least allies who have worked together in the past. As a result, Catwoman’s new suit is far from the only major change the Absolute Universe is making to the character and her relationships.
Absolute Catwoman #2 from DC Comics is available to read on July 8, 2026!
Created By Bob Kane, Bill Finger
English (US) ·