Batman’s mother makes the Waynes’ death more tragic by revealing that Bruce never had a chance at a normal life

Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Batman #2!Like DC’s new Batman has his origin story completely rewritten in the Absolute Universe, his relationship with his mother reveals a tragic truth about the Caped Crusader and his personal life. In this alternative world where only Bruce Wayne’s father dies, Martha is active in Gotham and present to raise her son in one of the rare realities that allows it. However, Bruce’s trauma still leaves him unable to connect with his living family.

After the shocking revelation that she survives in this timeline, more of Martha Wayne’s life outside of Bruce is presented in Absolute Batman #2 by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin and Clayton Cowles. She is revealed to have a close relationship with the Gordons, namely Barbara and Jim.

In a private discussion with Jim at the hospital, Martha claims she doesn’t even know her son anymore since the shooting that killed Thomas. In a depressing twist for one of the few universes they can coexist in, Martha and Bruce have a strained relationship.

Absolute BatmanDevastating twist finds Martha Wayne alive and well – but she still can’t reach Bruce

A New Kind of Wayne Family Tragedy

As one of Batman’s defining moments as a character is the death of his parents in front of him, leading him to build his mission on this pain, Bruce is not emotionally available to Martha when she is alive in Absolute Batman It’s truly tragic. While most comic continuities see Bruce raised by his butler Alfred Pennyworth after the death of his parents, another relationship completely distorted by the Absolute Universe, Martha was actually able to raise her son here. Snyder and Dragotta’s new take on the character sees the trauma of his father’s death unfortunately creating a devastating rift between Bruce and Martha.

Although Martha Wayne is alive in other alternate universes, notably with her turn as the Joker in Flash point by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert, It’s hard to see Bruce not communicating with his mother when he is so often mourning her. It seemed Absolute Batman would fix a trend of DC focusing on Thomas Wayne in Batman lore, and while Martha and Bruce’s current relationship is a bit underwhelming, there’s still a chance for their bond to develop in ways DC has never seen before. With her new role on Mayor Gordon’s team, she could take on a central role alongside Batman or in the leadership of Gotham.

Martha Wayne’s absolute status connects her to other members of the bat family

Meanwhile, Batman still works alone

Following the fallout from the Party Animals’ attack on Mayor Gordon at a town hall meeting, Martha’s visit to the hospital reveals more information about her place in this new version of Gotham. Although she and Bruce have trouble communicating, Martha is apparently a close family friend of Jim and Barbara Gordon. Barbara hasn’t yet taken on the mantle of Batgirl or Oracle here, but she stands up for Batman, and Martha and Jim comment that she’s a good kid. With Batman still more of a lone wolf in this universe, Martha already has stronger connections to key potential members of the Bat-Family than this new Dark Knight.

Although his solo mission as Batman is valiant, Bruce’s hero persona is fueled by his trauma and guilt and likely what keeps him distant from Martha in adulthood. As he still works alone in Absolute BatmanThere is no family of bats. The hero doesn’t even have Alfred as his confidant yet, as he usually does in most other stories. Martha’s addition to this universe as an active player could change things if Bruce lets her in.

“Bats can be social or solitary”: Absolute Batman rejects his still-living family

But can Bruce Wayne still evolve?

As a sign at the bat sanctuary on Bruce’s tragic fateful day at the zoo even proclaimed: “bats can be social or solitary,” And that simple fact could represent a choice Batman must make in this story as it progresses. Although they are at odds, a bond may be forming between him and Alfred, and Bruce’s relationship with Catwoman has also been teased. However, even with Martha actively involved in Bruce’s life and having connections with famous Batman allies, There is still work to be done to get mother and child on the same page.

It’s still too early to Absolute Batmanwhich is only in its second issue, so Martha and Bruce’s relationship will likely be developed, explained, or expanded upon as the series develops. However, with the sad revelation that their relationship is a bit rocky and Martha feels like she barely knows her own son, it still highlights that the Dark Knight’s crime-fighting destiny is not an easy one. Since Batman Still can’t fully connect with Martha in the rare universe where she’s alive, it feels like he never had the chance to lead a normal life after the violence in Gotham rocked his childhood.

Absolute Batman #2 is now available from DC Comics.