Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Batman #1Batman Has always had a complicated relationship with his villains. Some of them, like the Joker, are his complete antithesis, while others are just damaged people who lash out and need understanding. But the Absolute Universe has reinvented his relationships by turning his traditional villains into his core friends, which completely changes the dynamic Batman will have with his iconic villains in this new universe.
The stunning Absolute Batman #1 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta introduces The new story between Batman and his remains. This version of Bruce Wayne is very different from the one fans know and love. Bruce Wayne's version doesn't have the amazing wealth of Wayne Enterprises; Instead, Bruce grew up the child of a teacher, which completely changes his relationship with Gotham.
But it's not just his relationship with Gotham that has changed. Thanks to Bruce's new working-class background, he spent his youth growing up on the streets of Gotham, instead of the affluent suburbs. In his childhood, he Was close with some characters who might just be his biggest enemies — which would be a heartbreaking turn, considering the new personal history between Batman and the iconic characters.
Batman only knew his villains as criminals in the DC Universe
Absolute Batman #1 by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin and Clayton Cowles
In the main DC UniverseBruce Wayne was born into one of the most influential and affluent families In the city, if not the DC Universe. He grew up in a mansion with a butler who waited on him, and he never wanted for anything. It was an extremely privileged life, and so Bruce didn't really have to interact with anyone who wasn't of the same social class as him. Characters like Waylon Jones, Selina Kyle, Edward Nygma and even Oswald Cobblepot were in completely different social circles due to their place in society.
But for most of Batman's core villains, he didn't meet them until well after they had become criminals.
While Prime Earth Bruce met several people who would later become villains during his childhood, such as Roman Sionis and Harvey Dent, these were only one-off meetings. He never became friends with Roman, and while he was once friends with Harvey, it was under special circumstances and their friendship did not last. Bruce didn't meet most of his core villains until well after they became criminals, meaning that Bruce has no real personal attachment to them. But the same isn't true for the Absolute Universe version of Batman, who grew up on the same streets as some of the fan-favorite rogues.
These iconic Gotham villains are some of Batman's absolute best friends
Where Bruce grew up changed everything
In the Absolute Universe, since Batman grew up on the streets, He is well acquainted with characters like Waylon Jones, Oswald Cobblepot, Selina Kyle and Edward Nygma. Bruce even regularly trains with Waylon at his gym and seems to be good friends with him. Waylon also mentions that they used to hang out more regularly with each other. At this point in the story, it seems that the characters have not become the villains as the readers know them as. For example, Waylon is nothing more than a big gym owner with a penchant for crocodiles, far from the scaled beast in the DC Universe.
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It's unknown if the friends Bruce has made will eventually transform into villains, but it's certainly possible. Bruce seems to be aware that "Ozzy" is dealing drugs And is likely going to run against the police eventually. While Waylon certainly appears to be straight and uptight, his willingness to overlook Ozzie's illegal money-making ventures doesn't bode well for either of them remaining civilians and not falling into crime like their DCU counterparts.
Batman's villains are his main support network in the Absolute Universe
They are the only friends he has
It is very possible that Bruce's long-time friends may not remain friends with him. With Gotham and the Absolute Universe becoming more corrupt than ever, it is Presumably Bruce's old gang of friends will eventually become supervillainsProbably sooner than later. While this would be a heartbreaking turn for Batman, it's nothing he hasn't dealt with. After all, Bruce was already good friends with Harvey in the DC Universe before he became Two-Phase, and the relationship is only deeper in the Absolute Universe version.
Looking for more two-faced? You are in luck; Harvey Dent is starring in his first solo series in the main DC Universe as part of DC All In. Check out Two-faced #1 by Christian Ward and Fabio Veras, available December 4, 2024 from DC Comics.
In this world, Batman has very little experience and training compared to his DCU counterpart. This version of Bruce Wayne never got to travel the world and learn from the best of the best to be Batman. All he has are the skills he managed to learn at home. While this may make the idea of him being Batman impossible, it is It is possible that he could have learned some valuable talents from his friends.. For example, Selina Kyle is often portrayed as a thief, and while she may not be the world-famous cat burglar that she is in the DCU, she is still likely capable of teaching Bruce how to pick a lock.
How will Absolute Batman's morals bend with his new friends?
His core villain group are his childhood friends
The comic strongly implies that Oswald is also involved in the drug trade, a fact that Bruce seems very aware of. In a world without his matchless personality, Oswald could provide Bruce with information on up-and-coming criminals And other dealers that Bruce wants to take care of. This sort of deal wouldn't be the first time Batman and Penguin worked together as partners. Oswald's drug dealing may not be a major problem either, as Batman has been much more lenient to his criminal friends in the past, such as Ghost-Maker and Catwoman.
Batman has always had a complicated relationship with his villains. These characters have pushed Batman to his limits over the years and forced him to evolve as a crime-fighter. But in the absolute universe, his connection to them runs much deeper. While Batman always wanted to save his villains, he didn't really know the majority of them on a personal level. That's not the case in this universe, where Batman's potential villains are people he's known all his life. Taking down the Riddler or the Penguin will be much harder when they're not just random villains trying to destroy the city: they're Batman Friends.
Absolute Batman #1 Available now from DC Comics!