DC is finally fixing a sexist trend running through Batman lore

Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Batman #1Absolutely Batman Debuts with a massive twist to Batman lore, and finally addresses a sexist trend running throughout the character’s history. The first issue of the new series by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta introduces a new version of Batman with major changes in his world. Perhaps the biggest change to Batman in the world is the revelation that, while Thomas Wayne was still killed when Bruce was a child, his mother Martha is still alive, having raised Bruce after Thomas’ death.

Martha’s survival and continued presence in Bruce’s life is not only a massive twist to one of the fundamental aspects of Batman’s lore, but it also Fixes a sexist trend that has unfortunately become commonplace in the character’s history.

The overwhelming majority of stories with flashbacks to Bruce’s childhood focus on his relationship with his father or Alfred. As a result, Martha is often left to the wayside in the stories beyond her death. However, you survive in Absolute Batman #1 by Snyder, Dragotta, Frank Martin and Clayton Cowles and her role as a member of the book’s supporting cast ensure that Martha will finally be given her due as a character.

Batman’s childhood flashbacks traditionally focus on his father

But Absolute Batman Keep Martha in the present tense

In the main Batman canon, the people in Bruce’s early childhood are often given the most importance in his life. Bruce’s story often focuses on his late father, with the greatest example of this happening in Batman: Year One by Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, where he talks to a bust of his father before coming up with the idea for the Batman identity. on the contrary, Martha Wayne is only mentioned in the context of her death along with Thomas And is rarely talked about Bruce of his own accord. When Bruce talks about his mother, it’s the exception instead of the norm.

This trend often finds its way into alternate universes as well. The greatest example of this is found in the Flashpoint universe, where Bruce dies instead of his parents causing Thomas to become a more brutal Batman and Martha to become the universe’s Joker. Therefore, this means that Thomas receives the majority of focus while Martha is relegated to an antagonistic role, with the version of ​​Thomas Wayne even making his way into the main DC Universe with no mention of Martha. Martha Wayne is an essential character in Batman’s storyBut she is rarely given focus like Thomas is.

Thomas is not the only character this trend extends to, vi Many flashbacks to Batman’s childhood also put a strong emphasis on Alfred supporting Bruce by the death of his parents. The end result, however, remains the same, because the men who raised Batman receive significantly more focus than the women. Even Leslie Tompkins, herself a pivotal character in Bruce’s childhood, became less prominent as the years went by.

Martha Wayne’s survival shines a spotlight on her

Batman’s mother has a big role to play

Absolute Batman Revelation that Martha Wayne is not only alive and well, but still a regular part of Bruce’s life changes that sexist narrative. The idea of Only one of his parents alive is a shocking change in the character In itself, just that his mother is the one who survived, shines a brand new spotlight on her. Absolute Batman Martha Wayne is a version of this character who has to fight with the death of her husband all while raising her son in the aftermath of the tragedy. The circumstances alone make for a powerful dramatic hook that practically begs to be explored.

But above all, Martha Wayne’s survival gives her the opportunity to be explored And developed as a character in a way that her mainstream counterpart wasn’t given. Her survival makes her an integral part of Batman’s support system and also creates the opportunity for her to discover that her son is Batman. And given her work as a social worker, who works for the mayor, it is practically a given that she will be involved in the story as a major player.

The revelation that Martha Wayne survived in Absolute Batman Set DC Comics on the path to correcting a sexist trend that has been running throughout Batman stories, all by allowing the story to give Martha the same level of focus her husband has received. Although there is still work to be done, this is a great first step in changing the trend for the better. While many of the changes set in the Absolute Universe Will likely stay there, hopefully an increased focus on Martha Wayne as a character will cross over into the main DC Universe Batman Stories.

Absolute Batman #1 is available now from DC Comics.