The Absolute Batman hiatus is now confirmed. DC’s December 2026 solicitations, released this month, show no new mainline issue of the best-selling ongoing series in November or December 2026 — a gap of at least 2 months, the first real break since the book launched in 2024.
The solicits went out September 18, and outlets including Comic Book Club and CBR flagged the missing months a couple of days later. Issue #24 hits shops this Wednesday, September 23, and introduces Barbara Gordon into Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s take on the Absolute Universe. Issue #25, out October 28, closes the “Straw Man” arc — and then the ongoing series just stops until sometime in 2027.
What DC’s Solicitations Actually Show
Issue #25 runs 30 pages, drawn by regular series artist Nick Dragotta, and Snyder has said it marks the halfway point of the roughly 50-issue map he has for the whole series. After that, there is no mainline Absolute Batman issue solicited for November or December.
The gap isn’t total silence, though: a one-shot called Absolute Batman: Beyond Ark M #1 fills part of it on November 11, written by Snyder and Frank Tieri with art by Francesco Francavilla, continuing the Joker’s-empire-of-Arks story that started in the earlier Ark M Special — and digging into Professor Pyg’s origin.
Why the Best-Selling Comic in America Is Taking a Break
Neither DC nor Snyder has given an official reason for the gap. What isn’t in doubt is what’s being paused: Absolute Batman has been the best-selling comic in direct-market stores for months running, and on June 7, 2026, Snyder confirmed on X that issue #20 had crossed 500,000 copies sold — tying it with Batman #1 (2025) as the best-selling Batman comics ever printed. For the full run of records the series has set, see our Absolute Batman sales tracker.
Issue #24’s “Straw Man” finale was already bumped from #24 to #25 in a September 18 update from Snyder, before the solicits even confirmed the wider hiatus. Taken together, the likeliest read is a book protecting Dragotta’s art schedule rather than a story problem — DC just hasn’t said so on the record.
| Issue | Date | Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Oct 2024 | Launches as the best-selling comic of the year |
| #20 | June 2026 | Tops 500,000 copies sold, per Snyder — ties Batman #1 (2025) as the best-selling Batman comic ever |
| #22 | July 2026 | No. 1 bestselling comic in direct-market stores |
| #23 | Aug 2026 | No. 1 bestselling comic in direct-market stores, again |
| #25 | Oct 28, 2026 | “Straw Man” arc finale, series’ 50-issue halfway point — hiatus begins |
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Absolute Batman go on hiatus?
After issue #25, which releases October 28, 2026. No new mainline issue is solicited for November or December.
Why is Absolute Batman on hiatus?
DC and Scott Snyder haven’t given an official reason. The timing, right after issue #24’s finale was already pushed back a full issue, points to protecting artist Nick Dragotta’s schedule.
When does Absolute Batman come back?
No date has been confirmed. Coverage of the solicitations points to sometime in 2027.
Is there any Absolute Batman comic during the gap?
Yes — Absolute Batman: Beyond Ark M #1, a one-shot by Snyder and Frank Tieri with art by Francesco Francavilla, releases November 11.
How many copies has Absolute Batman sold?
Issue #20 passed 500,000 copies sold as of June 2026, per Scott Snyder, tying it with Batman #1 (2025) as the best-selling Batman comic ever printed.
Sources
- Comic Book Club — Absolute Batman hiatus
- CBR — Snyder’s update on the arc
- Bleeding Cool — Absolute Batman #23 sales chart
