Batman is one of those characters that has transcended the pages and panels of a DC comic with those who have never visited their local comic shop knowing the superhero. However, Batman also comes with a storied history that can make picking up a new issue of a series daunting, wondering if there is too much you need to know to understand. That’s why Absolute Batman by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, well the whole Absolute line, is perfect for those looking to get a chance to adventure with The Caped Crusader with a clean slate.
Bruce Wayne comes from nothing. He’s not the scion of a wealthy empire in Gotham City, he’s the son of a public school teacher who he experienced the unimaginable horror of random gun violence as a child, changing the trajectory of his life forever. With no limitless resources, no billions to fund him, no mansion, and no butler to care for him, Bruce has shaped himself into an entirely different breed of Batman, one that is equal parts brain and brawn, who exists exclusively in the grittiest and most underserved parts of Gotham with no high society mask to fall back on.
I am in the camp of having trouble diving into a Batman story, even with a fairly good handle on the history of the main universe character and his villains. It always felt daunting and overwhelming, so I avoided. What I believe the Absolute Universe will do is allow me to fall in love with the overall lore of Batman and maybe give me the boost to read more of the main line of comics.
What Snyder does with Absolute Batman is simply wonderful, he gives us a bigger and badder Dark Knight, but at the same time a character that is more street level and relatable. With the main universe you have the separation of his billions of dollars and his high society upbringing that could really separate you from who Bruce Wayne really is. In Absolute Batman, he is the everyday man with his problems, but the ambition to fight back and protect his city, which even in this universe is struggling.
While Wayne is still Batman here, we do see other version of characters we know from the main universe as well as new groups of villains that give the story a fresh feeling. A huge shoutout to Snyder for noting having the first main villain of this alternate universe be the Joker or one of the more popular villains we have seen Batman battle in previous stories. Making this new storyline feel unique and truly gripping.
Dragotta brings a new look to Batman that is menacing and angry, a hero you don’t want to mess with. This along with new visions for preexisting characters and our new friends and villains made Absolute Batman a visual feast. While the main story art is fantastic, it’s the flash backs that really got me going. A nice mixture of style and the colors by Frank Martin added to the whole experience. I am a fan of the same artist throughout a volume of a comic, but the use of Gabriel Hernández Walta in chapter four was wonderful and needed for the story being told.
Absolute Batman is a fantastic reintroduction of a classic DC character by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta with a new spin. This new universe is for those who love DC Comics, but also those looking for a place to jump in and enjoy the ride.
The collected edition of Absolute Batman Vol. 1 is available at your local comic shop and bookstores everywhere from DC Comics.
Absolute Batman Vol. 1 Preview
