Notice! Spoilers ahead for Absolute Batman #3!Absolute Batman Just met the world's version of the Riddler, and he's not what fans expected. Everything fans know about the Dark Knight's world is different in the Absolute Universe, including his relationships with his traditional enemies. Now Bruce is face to face with a powerful reinvention of a classic enemy.
In Absolute Batman #3 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, Bruce realizes that the Party Animals and their leader, Black Mask, may be too big for him to take on alone. He consults his childhood friend Eddie, which introduces Batman to his AI-powered robot, Al.
Al is unfinished, but Eddie marvels at his creation, saying it contains almost all human knowledge. He's even joking about giving Al a name related to a riddle (like Riddle-Man), saying that humanity's greatest riddle is how to live forever, which can be done through a machine like Al.
Absolute Batman's 'Riddler' is Al, a highly advanced AI
A dramatic makeover worthy of the absolute universe
Thanks to Darkseid's interference, the Absolute Universe deviated from the norm and changed radically from the Prime DCU. In Batman's world, he was not born into a privileged life, but grew up in Crime Alley. In this life, he had a small collection of friends from childhood, and they are all people he is enemies with in the standard DC Universe. Harvey Dent, Oswald Cobblepot, Waylon Jones and Edward Nygma assist Batman in the Absolute Universe by serving as his private consultants that help keep you informed about the hidden threats facing your city.
In addition to turning several of Batman's thugs into his childhood friends, the first issue of Absolute Batman ended with a dig at this world's Joker, who is one of the richest people on the planet and is never known for laughing. It wouldn't be a surprise that this world's Riddler would be a highly advanced AI, especially since Eddie is one of Bruce's closest friends. Eddie doesn't seem like he would be that intimidating if he suddenly broke down and became a villain. But a robot with artificial intelligence who gains sentience could be a real threat to Absolute Batman.
Absolute Riddler is smarter and more dangerous than his counterpart
Batman would fight a sinister AI
The Riddler's greatest strength is his mind, but no matter how smart the villain is, he's still just a man. Al, on the other hand, by Eddie's own admission, has four-fifths of humanity's knowledge in his system. And with how quickly AI progresses, it can only be a matter of time before he gains more. Not to mention that the Absolute Universe is permeated by Darkseid's energy, which makes the world's obstacles even greater. If Al really is the Absolute Riddler, hand will be one of the most dangerous villains Absolute Batman has ever faced.
Of course, Al is simply a tool that Eddie is using. But Al wouldn't be the first creation to attack his creator in a comic book. And given how brutal the Absolute Universe is, it may only be a matter of time before he breaks free and uses his knowledge for evil. It will be interesting to see how Bruce overcomes an intelligence as powerful as Al's, if he can at all. There is no doubt that Absolute Batman is strong, but he may have a mental superior in the Absolute Riddler.
Absolute Batman #3 is now available from DC Comics.