DC Comics' brand-new Absolute Universe has already gotten off to an incredible start, taking classic heroes and subverting their conventions in daring ways. From a working-class Batman to a Superman without the Kent family, each character differs from their normal status quo. The DC Universe is changing, and so too is its power-scaling.

The Absolute Universe is much darker than DC's main universe. Born from Darkseid's energy as opposed to Superman's, the heroes in this continuity find themselves without the advantages they've historically relied on, forced to fight twice as hard to prove themselves. Though it's too early to say for certain how these fighters would all fare against each other in battle, here's a ranking of the 10 most powerful characters in DC's Absolute Universe so far.

10 Black Mask

In DC's main universe, Black Mask tends to be one of Batman's less popular villains. He's creepy in his own right, but doesn't have as many iconic moments as the other rogues that plague Gotham City. Now, in the new Absolute Universe, Black Mask has already shown that he's one of Batman's darkest foes in this continuity. His Party Animals gang is said to have raised the murder rate in Gotham by a whopping 700 percent, and that's without factoring in the potential death count of his global operation.

While Black Mask has the Party Animals carrying out his bidding across the world, he's even more terrifying himself than all of them put together. This is best portrayed when he has Falcone and Maroni killed after showing them his collection of skulls - with two spots empty for theirs. Batman will certainly have his hands full with this variant of Black Mask.

9 Absolute Flash

In the Absolute Universe, the Flash legacy gets rebooted, with Wally West originating the mantle. This Wally is a teenager, with speedster powers that look overwhelming to bear alone. DC's main Flash has reality-bending powers tied to his speed, so Absolute Flash's powers are anywhere near that level, he has the potential to be a major powerhouse.

While this variant of the Flash certainly has immense power at his disposal, his youth and inexperience hold him back from being the true strongest just yet. DC Comics recently gave fans a first-look at the Flash's redesigned villains in this new continuity, and if Wally wants to stand a chance against them, he'll need to start training so he can get the hang of his unruly powers.

8 Absolute Joker

The Joker in this universe isn't like the one readers know. He never smiles or laughs, earning his title ironically. This isn't the first time the Joker has been rewritten to be sane, but what makes this take on a serious Joker more unique is his combat proficiency, which puts him on par with Batman.

To develop his skills, this Joker traveled across the globe and trained with various masters. If this background sounds familiar, that's because it's exactly what Bruce Wayne does in the main DC Universe in order to become Batman. The difference is that Joker killed each of his mentors once he'd learned all he needed. Absolute Joker is a cold-blooded murderer with Batman-level fighting power, making him one of this universe's deadliest characters.

7 Absolute Batman

Not having powers doesn't stop Batman from being one of DC's best fighters in the main universe, and the same holds true in the Absolute Universe. What Batman lacks in supernatural abilities, he makes up for with pure, uninhibited brawn. The Absolute Universe's new Dark Knight spends much of his time working out at the gym and taking out punching bags, as evidenced by his hulking muscles.

In his first fight against Black Mask's Party Animals gang, Batman shows off the gains from his training by dominating them in combat. His ingenious upgrades to his symbiote-like cape allow him to strike targets from afar or dodge attacks, and he further confounds his opponents by converting the logo of his costume into a massive axe. The Absolute Universe's battle-ready Batman is an unstoppable force, and his story is only just beginning.

6 Absolute Green Lantern Corps

Although the Green Lantern Corps has yet to debut in the Absolute Universe, Lanterns' powers are enviable throughout the multiverse. Power rings are fueled by willpower, so by harnessing the will within them, Green Lanterns can manifest epic constructs beyond their wildest imaginings. Green Lantern constructs have limitless possibilities, and in the right hands, a power ring can be the most empowering tool in all of existence.

Not much is currently known about the new Green Lantern Corps. The Absolute Green Lantern series will feature appearances by Jo Mullein, Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and Guy Gardner, so this Corps could hit the ground running with some of DC's most prolific Green Lanterns. The capabilities of the Absolute Universe's Green Lanterns are sure to amaze once they arrive.

5 Absolute Wonder Woman

Wonder Woman packs a serious punch in any universe. With Amazonian blood running through her veins, Diana can tap into superhuman strength and agility to overcome whatever obstacles come her way. The Absolute Universe maintains Wonder Woman's existing powers, but it also upgrades her with a few crucial additions to her arsenal.

As the Princess of Hell, this universe's version of Wonder Woman uses dark magic to cast spells against opponents. Not only is she proficient in magic, but she wields a giant sword as well. This weapon allows Diana to slice through monsters with ease, granting her even more power on top of her innate talents as an Amazon. There aren't many who can hold their own against the likes of Absolute Wonder Woman.

4 Darkseid's Legion of Super-Heroes

With the inception of Darkseid's Absolute Universe, he molds the world as he sees fit, and that includes altering one of DC's iconic teams. The Legion of Super-Heroes resides in the distant future of the DC Universe, with many of them paying homage to heroes from the past in an effort to respect the original Age of Heroes. Darkseid now commands his own corrupt Legion, redefining the team with a dark new purpose.

The Legion isn't as prolific as the Justice League or Titans, yet their ' abilities elevate them to be equally strong - if not more so. From Ultra Boy and his vast supply of superpowers to Saturn Girl and her telepathic prowess, Darkseid's Legion of Super-Heroes boasts astounding power that very few fighters could oppose.

3 Absolute Martian Manhunter

There's one Justice League hero that even Superman is afraid to fight, and that's Martian Manhunter. Thus, it stands to reason that the Absolute Universe's Martian Manhunter will be just as formidable. Despite not being physically stronger than Superman, the Martian's various abilities give him a competitive edge. Martian Manhunter's powers include shapeshifting, as depicted by Martian's form fluctuating and changing color in the official art, and possession.

It remains to be seen whether this reinvention of Martian Manhunter will keep his other abilities, such as invisibility and telepathy. This version isn't actually from Mars, hence why there's a chance he has a completely different repertoire of powers. Much about him is a mystery, and it will be interesting to watch his fearsome skills develop in due time.

2 Absolute Superman

It should be no surprise that Absolute Superman is looking to be one of the Absolute Universe's mightiest characters. In DC's primary continuity, Superman's Kryptonian genes grant him an unbeatable combination of super-strength, super-speed, heat vision, and so much more. As such, it's reasonable to assume that the Absolute Universe's take on the Man of Steel will possess similar superpowers and therefore be as strong as his counterpart.

Absolute Superman's heat vision has already been seen in action, and its raw power puts him on par with the original Superman. Heat appears to explode out of his body in intense bursts that can incinerate anyone who tries to cross him. He doesn't have the advantages he normally has, like being raised by a loving family on Earth, but this Superman's jaw-dropping power makes him a far cry from helpless.

1 The One & Only Darkseid

Darkseid is the creator of DC's Absolute Universe, so it's only natural that he's the strongest character to exist within it. After fusing with the Spectre in order to unlock deep reserves of power, Darkseid gets separated from him and proceeds to die. This isn't truly the end for the villain, though, and his energy fuels a grim new world where the heroes he's long fought must struggle like never before.

His connection to the universe itself isn't all that contributes to Darkseid's might. His destructive Omega Beams are a dangerous weapon that makes him a horrifying force to be reckoned with. Of every character that's been revealed so far in DC Comics' Absolute Universe, Darkseid is indisputably the most powerful.