DC’s Best-Selling Comic May Have Saved Staff From Layoffs, Reports Claim

Reported protection for DC staff

DC Comics employees reportedly have not been offered voluntary buyout packages, even as other Warner Bros./Skydance divisions faced them. Bleeding Cool reported that DC’s publishing operation is outperforming other departments and turning a profit.

The outlet linked that performance partly to Absolute Batman’s critical and commercial success. It reported that concern about the possible effects of losing employees also weighed against making staff cuts.

A new take on Batman

This Batman is more physically imposing than the traditional version. His chest emblem can serve as a battleaxe, while his cowl ears function as throwing knives; the series also reworks familiar villains, including making several of them Bruce’s childhood friends.

Sales and wider reach

Absolute Batman #1 was the best-selling comic book of 2024. Snyder said in June that issue #20 had sold more than 500,000 copies. The series has received multiple Eisner Award nominations and won the 2026 Harvey Award Book of the Year.

The Absolute Universe also includes regular titles focused on Wonder Woman, Superman, Flash and Green Lantern, alongside limited series featuring other characters. Absolute Batman and Absolute Catwoman appeared as alternative skins in Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, and an animated Absolute Batman series is in development.

DC leadership and upcoming issues

Paramount/Skydance’s acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery closed last month. James Gunn and Peter Safran are set to leave their DC Studios leadership roles next month, with former Marvel Studios executive Jeremy Latcham succeeding them as president and chief creative officer. The impact on the DC Universe film and television slate remains unclear.

Absolute Batman: Beyond Ark M #1 is scheduled for release Wednesday, November 11. Absolute Batman #26 is set to follow on January 13, 2027.