San Diego Comic-Con saw DC Comics tease the redesign of one of Batman’s most iconic (and disturbing) villains with an epic concept art reveal. Now, that concept design has been confirmed with the official release of a new image, making it clear that we are on the precipice of one of the greatest eras not only for this Gotham rogue but for DC Comics as a whole.
On July 26, at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, DC Comics announced its upcoming Absolute Batman: Beyond Ark M one-shot. As the name suggests, the one-shot ties into Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman series, as well as the Absolute Universe as a whole. The announcement of the special also revealed concept art for the Absolute Universe version of Professor Pyg.
Those who have been keeping up with DC’s ongoing Absolute Universe titles know that this Darkseid-created world has ushered in more hardcore reimaginings of DC’s most iconic characters, giving them darker redesigns and origin stories. Now, it’s confirmed that Professor Pyg, who is perhaps Batman’s most disturbing rogue right alongside the Joker, will be joining the Absolute Universe in writers Scott Snyder and Frank Tieri, and artist Francesco Francavilla’s Absolute Batman: Beyond Ark M#1 on November 11, 2026.
SCOTT SNYDER AND FRANK TIERI DIVE INTO THE DISTURBING ORIGIN OF PROFESSOR PYG, AND THE JOKER’S WORLDWIDE ARKS! In Absolute Batman: Ark M Special #1, we took you inside the darkest recesses of Ark M…now prepare to see what’s beyond! As the Joker surveys his empire of Arks, learn what terrible secrets and bone-chilling shocks lurk within them! Do you dare join the maniacal superstar team that brought you the Ark M Special (Scott Snyder and Frank Tieri) as we uncover what other horrible challenges and bloodcurdling surprises await the Absolute Dark Knight? Do you dare not to?
While San Diego Comic-Con revealed the concept art for Pyg, it’s the early solicitation release for Beyond Ark M that has provided fans with their first official look at the Gotham rogue, and most will agree that this is the villain’s greatest redesign yet.
DC Confirms Absolute Professor Pyg Design in New Art Reveal
Main Cover by Francesco Francavilla for Absolute Batman: Beyond Ark M #1 (2026)
DC’s solicitation for Beyond Ark M#1 provides fans with a synopsis and cover art for the issue. The main cover by artist Francesco Francavilla is particularly notable, given that it spotlights Professor Pyg and his epic redesign. Those familiar with the character know that he is typically depicted as an overweight Caucasian man who wears a white button-up shirt, red bow tie, butcher’s apron, and, of course, his signature pink pig mask.
However, it’s clear that the Absolute Universe will be breaking from tradition when it comes to Professor Pyg’s design, as the villain is given a much more intimidating and darker redesign. Right off the bat, the Absolute version of the character appears to be a relatively tall, fit man wearing a blood-splattered charcoal-gray two-piece suit and a red tie.
The most notable design elements, though, are the bone saw he wields in one hand and his black Pyg mask. There’s no denying that this look goes hard in the aura-farming department, especially when compared to the main universe design of the character. With a more refined look, it begs the question whether Pyg’s personality will also reflect his outward appearance, as he appears more put-together than his main universe counterpart, who is perhaps even more delusional than the Joker.
It will also be interesting to see how DC further twists Pyg to make him a darker version of his main universe counterpart. This actually won’t be an easy task since the main universe’s Pyg is already exceptionally disturbing and twisted, meaning DC’s creators are really going to be put to the test with this one. While the final result of DC’s reimagining is still to come, we’re already loving what we’re seeing as this darker, more modern take on a <em>Batman</em> villain is truly exceptional.
Test Your DC Comics
Absolute Universe Knowledge
♆SupermanReimagined
BatmanNo billions
Wonder WomanReforged
FlashSpeed
UniverseAbsolute
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?
✓ Correct! The Absolute Universe was born from Darkseid rewriting reality in current DC continuity. This cosmic act of villainy created a parallel world where DC’s greatest heroes exist without advantages and support systems they traditionally rely on.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through Absolute reboot! The answer is Darkseid’s rewriting of DC Multiverse. While Dark Crisis, Infinite Frontier, and Flashpoint Beyond are significant events in DC history it was Darkseid manipulation of reality that gave birth to Absolute Universe.
NEXT →
02
InAbsolute Superman , Kal-El ’s origin is dramatically different from main universe . Instead being raised by Kents Smallville , how does Absolute Superman grow up ?
A He is raised by government
B He grows up Krypton
C He is raised immigrant community no wealth or privilege
D He is raised Lex Luthor
✓ Correct ! InAbsolute Universe , Kal-El lands not with Kents but immigrant community , growing up without wealth or privilege . This reimagining strips away Superman ’s traditional support system while keeping core values hope justice intact .
✗ That answer didn’t make it through Absolute reboot ! The answer is he ’s raised immigrant community no wealth or privilege . TheAbsolute line built on concept heroes without their traditional advantages , Superman ’s new upbringing reflects this perfectly .
NEXT →
03
Absolute Batman reimagines Bruce Wayne without billionaire status . In this version , Bruce Wayne has very different civilian occupation . What isAbsolute Batman ’s day job ?
A Police officer
B Engineer / construction worker
C Teacher
D Journalist
✓ Correct ! InAbsolute Universe , Bruce Wayne works engineer construction worker . Without Wayne fortune or Wayne Enterprises , this Bruce builds gear gadgets with own hands working-class ingenuity , making him truly self-made Batman .
✗ That answer didn’t make it through Absolute reboot ! The answer engineer / construction worker .Absolute Batman strips Bruce Wayne billionaire status entirely . This Bruce massive imposing figure who uses engineering skills physical labor background craft own Batman arsenal .
NEXT →
04
Absolute Batman ’s costume physique are dramatically different from traditional Batman . This version Bruce Wayne much larger more imposing . Who writer Absolute Batman ?
A Tom King
B James Tynion IV
C Scott Snyder
D ‘Chip Zdarsky ‘
‘✓ Correct! Scott Snyder previously wrote acclaimed New52Batmanrun writerofAbsoluteBatman.HisboldreimaginingofBruceWayneasworking-classherowithoutbillionshasbeenoneofthebreakouthitsofAbsoluteUniverse line.’
‘
‘✗ Thatanswerdidn’tmakethroughtheAbsolutereboot!TheanswerisScottSnyder.KnownforhislegendaryBatmanrunfeaturingtheCourtofOwlsandothericonicstorylines,SnyderreturnedtoDarkKnightwithAbsoluteBatman,reinventingBruceWayneforthisnewuniverse.’
‘
‘
‘‘
‘
‘
’05’
‘“AbsoluteWonderWomanreimaginesDianainasignificantlydifferentsetting.Inthisversion,thecharacter’smythologyandoriginpulldifferentculturalinfluences.WhoisthewriterofAbsoluteWonderWoman?”‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘✓ Correct! KellyThompsonwritesAbsoluteWonderWomanbringingfresh takeonDiana’smythologyandorigin.ThisversionreimaginesWonderWoman’sworldwithdifferentculturalinfluenceswhilemaintainingthewarriorspiritthecoreofthecharacter.’
‘
‘✗ Thatanswerdidn’tmakethroughtheAbsolutereboot!TheanswerisKellyThompson.Whileallfourwritersareacclaimedinthecomicsindustry,it’sThompsonwhohelmsAbsoluteWonderWomancraftingboldnewvisionforDianaintheAbsoluteUniverse.’
‘
‘
‘‘
‘
‘
’06’
‘“TheAbsoluteUniversewascreatedasaresultofDarkseidalteringreality.Akeydifferenceisthatinthisuniverse,”heroesdon’thavethetraditionaladvantagesandsupportsystems.Whatconceptdescribesthis—thatheseheroesexistwithouttheirusual“safetynets”?”‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘
‘✓ Correct!”Heroeswithoutlegacy”iscoreconceptoftheAbsoluteUniverse.TheserversionsofDC’siconiccharactersexistwithouttheinheritedadvantages,’mentors,’wealth,’andsupportnetworksthattraditionallydefinethem—forcingthemto becomeheroespurelyontheirownterms.’
‘
‘✗Thatanswerdidn’tmakethroughtheAbsolutereboot!Theansweris“Heroeswithoutlegacy.”TheAbsoluteUniverseisbuiltontheideaDarkseidstrippedtheseheroesoftheirlegacies—Batmanhasnofortune,’SupermanhasnoKents,’WonderWomanhasnoThemyscirawesknowit.’
‘
‘
‘‘
‘
“07”
AbsoluteFlashreimaginesWallyWestintheAbsoluteUniverse.Inthisversion,theFlash’sconnectiontotheSpeedForceisportrayed differently.WhoisthewriterofAbsoluteFlash?
“
“
”
“
“
“
“
“
”
“
“
“✓Correct!JeffLemire,”knownforhisdeeplyhumanstorytellingintitleslikeSweetToothandAnimalMan,writesAbsoluteFlash.HistakeonWallyWestreimaginesthespeedster’srelationshipwiththeSpeedForceinthecontextoftheAbsoluteUniverse’sstripped-downheroiclandscape.”
“
“✗Thatanswerdidn’tmakethroughtheAbsolutereboot!TheanswerisJeffLemire.WhileWilliamson,Waid,andAdamshaveallwrittenexcellentFlashstoriesinthemaincontinuity,it’sLemirewhobringshisuniquestorytellingvisiontoAbsoluteFlash.”
“
”
“
““
“
”
“08”
“AbsoluteSupermaniswrittenanddrawnbyacriticallyacclaimedcreatorwhohandlesboththewritingandartdutiesontheseries.Whoisthiscreator?
“
”
“
”
“
“
“
“
“
”
“
“
“✓Correct!AbsolutesupermaniswrittenbyJasonAaronwithartbyRafaSandoval.Togetherthey’vecraftedapowerfulreimaginingofKal-El placinghiminanimmigrantcommunitywithouttheKentfamily’ssupport creatingoneofthemostcompellingnewtakesonthecharacterinyears.”
“
“✗Thatanswerdidn’tmakethroughtheAbsolutereboot!TheanswerisJasonAaron(writer)withRafaSandoval(art).WhileJimLee,”GrantMorrison,andJorgeJiménezarealllegendaryDCcreators,it’stheAaronandSandovalteamthatbringsAbsolutesupermantolife.”
“
”
“
““
“
”
“
”
“AnalysisComplete””
“YourAbsoluteKnowledge””
“
”
“
“
”
“/8 “”
“
”
“AreyouanAbsolutexpert—orstillinmaincontinuity?””
“
”
“
“
“
”
“
”
“
”
“
”
“““AbsoluteBatman:Beyon dArkM#1 ““fromDCComicswillbeavailabletoreadonNovember11,”2026!”
“
