- October 9, 2024
Absolute Batman #1 Review
Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Nick Dragotta
Coloring by: Frank Martin
Lettering by: Clayton Cowles
Editing by: Sabrina Futch, Katie Kubert, Chris Conroy
How is Scott Snyder’s Return to Batman?
The Absolute Universe is here with Absolute Batman #1. It’s a chunky issue that manages to do a lot while also taking its time. It establishes a threat, a cool new status quo, and a decent chunk of characters while giving us plenty of action scenes where Batman is simply the coolest.
But it’s not the Batman you know. Spoiler warning for anyone who didn’t read or hear about any of the previews in 3… 2… 1…
Three things about this Batman fundamentally set him apart from just about every other version of Bruce Wayne. He’s not rich, he’s middle class, likely on the low end of the spectrum; he doesn’t kill but he’s far more violent and brutal than even the darkest of Batmen; his mother is still alive.
Turns out, that both of Batman’s parents don’t need to die for him to become Batman. One dead parent was enough. I point out these three things because it establishes three different levels of conflict that have been missing from Batman comics.
Classic Batman is a father, and there isn’t a sort of powerlessness that comes with being a parent judged by their child. Of course, parents want to live up to their child’s expectations, but the best of parents – and even some of the worst – know that it’s not possible. Batman rarely tries to pretend otherwise, and that leaves the drama of his personal life a bit lacking.
Outside of love interests that don’t go anywhere, Bruce Wayne has become the mask, not because of the story writers want to tell, but because the man behind the mask has nothing but the mask going for him. With his mother alive, we can expect to see the drama of keeping a secret identity and trying to live up to the ideals of someone alive to say them. Batman can’t interpret and misshape his parents’ beliefs when she’s right here.
Importantly, Absolute Batman #1 establishes that this is still a Batman who won’t kill, understanding this core character necessity. At the same time, this book isn’t afraid to push Batman’s morals, allowing him to be a character who can dispense justice with more finality. Let’s just say that one criminal could certainly use a… hand after tangling with Batman here.
And finally, making Batman a regular Joe in terms of class, brings Bruce Wayne down a peg in a much-needed way. While Batman still works as the one rich guy using his money to help people, the way billionaires behave today makes this feel like a real stretch. Sure, the main universe Batman isn’t a billionaire anymore, but that’s in name only. We have yet to see Bruce Wayne work to pay the bills. Batman, for once, is relatable, and the rage that fuels him is one I expect to be more relatable than the rage of any Batman before him.
Grab a Copy of Absolute Batman #1! You Won’t Regret It!
So I’m very high on Absolute Batman #1. It’s a solid, compact issue that’s amazing on its own, and one I can’t wait to read more of. If you want something new, fresh, and rich in what makes a story interesting from Batman, this is a can’t-miss book.