Credit: DC / Warner Bros.A brave and bold new Batman series has been making waves within the DC community.
While the DC Universe (DCU) tries to work out exactly what to do with Batman (both the upcoming DCU Batman reboot The Brave and the Bold and The Batman Part II were recently delayed, sparking rumors that Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight from the latter self-contained series might be integrated into the former new shared cinematic franchise), fans can at least enjoy a new version of the Caped Crusader in the world of DC Comics.
“Absolute Batman” is a force of nature. Forming part of the Absolute Universe from DC Comics, the bold new take on the Bat of Gotham, which debuted last year alongside the equally striking “Absolute Superman” and “Absolute Wonder Woman”, has quickly made a name for itself, with #1 now the top-selling comic book of 2024. Now four issues’ deep (there’s a lot more on the way), the series has taken center stage in the Bat-franchise.
There’s a lot to love about Scott Snyder’s take on the iconic Gotham City superhero, largely all the, ahem, “brave” and “bold” changes he’s made to the character’s well-established origin story, his gizmos and gadgets, and all the other characters that inhabit his world.
Absolute Batman isn’t a billionaire bachelor–he’s a city engineer from humble beginnings. He doesn’t have a Batmobile–he has a bulldozer, courtesy of his access to construction sites all over Gotham. The same can be said of his Batcave, in that he has multiple dotted about the city. His Batsuit is also very different, with his chest emblem doubling as an ax blade.
As for the characters, once-esteemed butler Alfred Pennyworth is now a mercenary hunting Batman, while several iconic Rogues Gallery members are now close friends of Bruce Wayne (except for the series’ current main villain, Roman Sionis/The Black Mask).
Related: Upcoming ‘Batman’ (1989) Sequel: Every Returning Character Explained
In this universe, Bruce Wayne (Batman), Oswald Cobblepot (The Penguin), Selina Kyle (Catwoman), Harvey Dent (Two-Face), Waylon Jones (Killer Croc), and Edward Nygma (The Riddler) all grew up together, and now, in their early twenties, remain good friends.
Whether or not “Absolute Batman” will continue to add villains to Bruce’s friends list remains to be seen. However, writer Scott Snyder has confirmed two more classic foes set to appear, and it sounds like they won’t be close comrades of the Caped Crusader.
Responding to questions from fans on Bluesky (via ComicBook.com) in November about which Batman characters will show up next, whether villain or hero, Snyder confirmed that Dr. Victor Fries/Mr. Freeze, Bane, and Dr. Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow are on the way.
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More recently, he told Owen Likes More Comics on YouTube that Mr. Freeze will appear in “Absolute Batman” #7 and #8, and also hinted at The Joker’s future, who so far has only appeared briefly at the very end of #1. However, it’s unclear when Bane will appear.
So, fans of “Absolute Batman” will be thrilled to know that the series is set to continue for at least another 10 issues (in addition to the first four that are already out). On X on January 13, Snyder briefly outlined the roadmap for the series, saying, “The zoo [arc] is 6 issues (then we have a 2 issue story called absolute zero, and then another 6 issue arc and onward!):
The zoo is 6 issues (then we have a 2 issue story called absolute zero, and then another 6 issue arc and onward!)
The zoo is 6 issues (then we have a 2 issue story called absolute zero, and then another 6 issue arc and onward!) https://t.co/c2k519TM5U
— Scott Snyder (@Ssnyder1835) January 13, 2025
“Absolute Superman” issues 1-3, “Absolute Wonder Woman” issues 1-3, and “Absolute Batman” issues 1-4 are on sale now.
Have you read “Absolute Batman” yet? Let us know in the comments below!