As long as DC’s Absolute line continues to print money, the company will continue to expand it. In a press release that feels identical to their PR for Absolute Green Arrow last month, DC has once again ordered a second printing of a comic’s first issue before that issue even gets a chance to touch the comic shop racks.
In this case, it’s Absolute Catwoman #1, whose street date is today, June 10. DC says they’ll be shipping out a second printing on July 15 and they already have alternate covers for that printing at the ready: one reprint of the Bengal cover with a blue logo this time, and two new covers by Guillem March and Kaare Andrews (foil). You can see them below this post.
But the tale of Absolute Catwoman is getting expanded with a one-shot (at least that’s what they say) that explores one of the story’s bit players. To be released between issues 3 and 4 of Catwoman, Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow’s Hand tells the origin story of Cassandra, raised and trained as an a assassin but nearly done in by an attack from the Joker.
Years ago, The Joker trained with the League of Assassins, and when he learned all he could, he slaughtered everyone. Out of the wreckage rose Lady Shiva and her daughter, Cassandra Cain. Absolute Cassandra Cain: The Shadow’s Hand#1 reveals the origin of the Absolute Universe’s most formidable assassin, and how her story is one that is intertwined with the world’s greatest thief, Selina Kyle!
Absolute Cassandra Cain will be written by Che Grayson with art by Matias Bergara and a main cover by Bengal. It’s set to see print on September 9, 2026, after which point Absolute Catwoman will resume.
