You’re probably shaking your head, but I say, the new one Batman Logo that’s getting fans up in arms isn’t so bad. If anything, I think it’s the perfect logo for the story it’s trying to tell for DC Comics’ new Absolute Universe.
In case you missed it, DC Comics has revealed a new Dark Knight to the world, The Absolute Batman. The caped crusader has set the internet on fire, with many debating the size and non-bat-like look of his new logo. If you saw it and hated it, trust me, I understand. But let me just give you five reasons why I believe this new symbol will finally work.
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DC is not changing the Prime Batman symbol
The biggest bat symbol belongs to the biggest Batman
For a lot of fans (and not just comic book fans, mind you), Batman is a property you do not Change. There are elements that need to remain consistent in order for him to properly feel like the Dark Knight they know and love. His ‘no killing’ code, his array of gadgets and the bat-like image he projects. Some details can be played with various alternate stories and media adaptations, but when fans see Batman, they want him to feel like the one they know. But When the general public discovered what Absolute Batman looked like, all hell broke loose online.
Comic fans are still in the process of figuring out how they felt when DC Comics officially revealed the existence of the Absolute Universe in July. But even more people caught Batman’s new look when DC revealed the official covers and variants for its first wave of Absolute titles. One set of variants featured foil covers that featured the new symbols and while the new crests of Absolute Superman and Wonder Woman received little-to-no pushback, Many fans raged after seeing Absolute Batman’s logo. One fan even asked DC Studios’ James Gunn to do something about it (sorry, but he can’t).
I don’t know if people are confused and think this is the main Batman’s new symbol or if some thought this is what Bruce’s logo would look like in a future movie, but let’s just make one thing clear: Absolute Batman has nothing to do with Prime Universe Batman. The Bruce Wayne featured in Batman, Detective ComicsAnd almost every other DC book will still have a caste symbol that is more familiar to what fans know. If you’re worried that DC is making a permanent change to Batman’s iconic symbol, let me say it one more time: They’re not.
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The new bat symbol is contained to the Absolute Universe
DC Comics is going all out in creating a new Batman for a new world
OK, so now that we’ve cleared things up and confirmed that the logo belongs only to the Batman of the Absolute Universe, you might be asking ‘what the hell is the Absolute Universe?’. And that’s a great question because the truth is I don’t know. None of us who are not involved in the creative process know anything substantial yet. We know a few things based on what creators involved with the Absolute line have said. But first, we need to back up just a little to discuss The initiative that will involve the Absolute Universe, DC All In.
Just before this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, DC Comics released a video announcement with Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson to discuss DC All In, a new line-wide initiative on the scale of the New 52 or Rebirth. The initiative is based on the current events of the publisher Absolute Power and is set in a special one-shot story DC All In Special #1. While Snyder and Williamson keep their cards close to their chests on the ‘why’ and ‘how’, Snyder spilled some secrets about the Absolute Universe and what would help it stand apart From the Prime DC Universe.
Snyder compared the universes, saying that the premiere universe was influenced by Superman energy and that the new world was built on ‘Darkseid energy’. As such, the Absolute Universe and its heroes lack many of the comforts that their Prime counterparts have. Absolute Wonder Woman doesn’t have her Amazon sister while Absolute Superman misses his family and the Fortress of Solitude. As for Absolute Batman, he doesn’t have the privilege or wealth of other Batmans. Batman is a civil engineer who makes all of his unique gear by hand And boy, he has the muscles to show it.
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Absolute Batman symbol has a universal reason for its shape
This new bat symbol is a weapon hidden in plain sight
The idea that this logo is confined to one particular Batman may make it a little more palatable to some. But if you are still not convinced by it, you should know that the symbol was not made just to be as in-your-face as possible. I didn’t have the privilege of speaking with Scott Snyder or Nick Dragotta, but I did get to speak with Jason Aaron at this year’s SDCC. And he was very forward that everything with Superman’s new look served a purpose. You will be glad to know that The same can be said for Absolute Batman.
Although I didn’t talk to Snyder or Dragotta, I did get one of those Absolute Batman #1 Ashkans that showcase our great new Batman in action. The last couple of pages showed off a few of Nick Dragotta’s designs that dug into his design for Absolute Batman. Almost everything in this Dark Knight costume is multi-functional. His ears? They serve as makeshift knives. The ends of Batman’s Cup? Can be used to capture and toss criminals around like ragdolls. And the caste symbol that has caused so much grief in recent weeks? it Doubles as the head of Absolute Batman’s Axe.
A little online searching can help you find the preview art showing off Batman’s ax. But in case you can’t find it, just look up Jim Lee’s variant for Absolute Batman #1, which shows ‘Dick Boi’ Bruce holding his new weapon in the rain. Now I can understand those who don’t like the symbol because of how it looks. But at least it was designed with a purpose in mind. Not only does it give Batman a pretty cool new weapon, though This is a testament to Batman’s absolute resourcefulness and creativity When he begins his crime-fighting career.
2
Fans generally don’t like new costumes (and that’s okay!)
Big changes and comic book fans don’t always mix
This new symbol only belongs to Absolute Batman and actually has an in-universe reason for its design. Maybe this is enough for some fans to come to this new cam. But some who know all this still don’t like it, Vastly prefers Batman with a symbol that actually looks like a bat. And you know what? This is completely valid. Not every fan will like every costume, especially when publishers make big changes to characters that have been around fans’ entire lives.
For those old enough to remember, right before the New 52, Wonder Woman had a costume change that had some fans absolutely seeing red. As part of the “Odyssey” storyline, the traditional outfit of Diana was a major overhaul, giving her a skirt, a choker, and, to the strange displeasure of some pants. I remember seeing so many message boards freaking out about this costume, even though there wasn’t really anything that offensive about it. But for all the complaints that costume received, Wonder Woman’s “Odyssey” look has stood the test of time and is fondly remembered by many fans.
Of course, not every redesign is looked back on with love and affection (the New 52 is littered with costumes many fans would love to forget). But time has a strange way of giving us new perspectives on things when we move away from them. Will Absolute Batman be remembered as one of Bruce’s best new costumes ten years from now? I honestly have no idea. But I think that There’s no reason to get up in arms about one particular Batman costume right now. Now if a decade from now, this costume is still hated, that’s another story.
1
Batman’s symbol is always evolving
The bat symbol changes over time and we should welcome it
Batman is one of the few comic book characters that has a great history to even generate a controversy like this. But the one thing we have to remember is that the image we all have of Batman as he is today is one that has been evolving since he first debuted nearly a century ago. Take a look at the Golden Age Batman for a second and really look at his symbol. It’s almost certainly nothing like the image most fans have in their head, But at the same time, it’s unequivocally Batman, right?
The thing about Batman is that he has so many fans that there will always be disagreements when it comes to his symbol. Look at the yellow oval that was part of his costume throughout the Silver and Bronze Ages. For some, it’s a crucial part of the Dark Knight’s look. On the other hand, it serves absolutely no purpose. As time goes on and Batman evolves, some fans will be partial to certain changes while others positively despise them. and yes, The symbol of Absolute Batman is a bit more radical, but it serves the story it is trying to tell.
Absolute Batman deviates from what fans know about Batman to really explore the character. Changing the symbol is just one small way Snyder and Dragotta are conducting their experiment and I for one think we should give them a chance to see what they have in store. Is the absolute Batman logo my favorite? No, but am I intrigued by it and do I want to see what the creative team has in store? Absolutely. I don’t know what DC Comics has planned for Absolute Batman And the interesting redesign of the Dark Knight’s iconic symbol.
Absolute Batman #1 is available on October 9 from DC Comics.
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Absolute Batman #1 (2024) |
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Release date: |
October 9, 2024 |
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writer: |
Scott Snyder |
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Artist: |
Nick Dragotta |
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Cover artist: |
Nick Dragotta |
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Variant covers: |
Wes Craig, Jim Lee and Mitch Gerads |
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Batman legend SCOTT SNYDER and iconic artist Nick Dragotta transform the Dark Knight’s tale for the modern age! Without the mansion…without the money…without the butler…what’s left is the absolute dark knight! |
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