Warning: Contains potential spoilers for Absolute Batman #1!
After reading the first issue of Absolutely BatmanOne thing is crystal clear: Bruce Wayne has a serious violence problem, and I’m here for every brutal moment. No disrespect to its mainstream counterpart, but this is by far the most thrilling and intense version of Batman DC has delivered in years. I’m hooked – and already counting down the days until the next issue is released.
Absolute Batman is the perfect balance between the normal Batman and Red Hood.
DC recently launched their ALL IN initiative, shaking up the DC Universe with major continuity-breaking changes. One of the most significant of these is the introduction of the Absolute Universe, a Darkseid-created world that reimagines fan-favorite characters as darker, more brutal versions of themselves.
Among the reimaginings is Batman, which has been given its own ongoing title, helmed by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta. Absolute Batman #1 brought the new Dark Knight to life – and my biggest takeaway (apart from this quickly becoming my favorite ongoing series) is that This is the most brutal portrayal of Batman yet.
Absolute Batman vs. Main Continuity: What Makes Him More Brutal?
Even hitman Alfred Pennyworth is shocked by Bruce’s excessive force
In this absolute version of Gotham, Roman “Black Mask” Sionis was reimagined as a much more twisted and horrifying figure. Now leading a gang/domestic terrorist organization known as the Party Animals, his gang’s animalistic masks, inhuman behavior and psychopathic violence unsettles me more than even my most hated DC villain, Professor Pyg. The Party Animals’ brutal attack on Mayor Jim Gordon’s press conference gives us our first real look at Absolute Batman In action, and it’s nothing short of unforgettable.
The Party Animals storm the press conference with a plan to kill as many people as possible. But Batman steps in, confronting them head-on. What follows is an incredibly brutal showdown, with the Dark Knight systematically dismantling the gang one by one with surgical precision and terrifying efficiency. The art and dialogue make it clear that Batman fights with savage brutality, pushing the limits of what is necessary without crossing into fatality. However, it’s Alfred Pennyworth’s story – now a hitman in this universe – that really underscores the unparalleled violence in Bruce’s methods.
Watching from a rooftop, Alfred describes Bruce’s fighting style as “Brutal, but precise,” Notice how the vigilante goes further than needed in his attacks, almost “put on a show” To make sure the sounds of breaking bones and snapping joints are heard. Perhaps the most disturbing part is Alfred’s admission that this is the absolute Batman he seems to be “Enough” The violence. Bruce’s savagery and twisted enjoyment of his fighting starkly contrasts with his DCU counterpart, Who consistently condemns unnecessary violence. However, despite these darker impulses, Absolute Batman still refrains from crossing the line into murder, even as he skirts the edge dangerously.
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From a near-sentient cape to a chest ax, Bruce Wayne isn’t messing around
In addition to Batman deliberately inflicting as much damage as possible on the party animals, What really sets Bruce apart as exceptionally violent is his choice of weapons and how he uses them. His cape functions almost like a symbiote, forming tendril-like appendages that move and strike at his will, sending enemies crashing through walls. His unnaturally long bat ears are revealed to be detachable knives. While knives are not unfamiliar to the normal Batman, Absolute Batman wields them with unmatched brutality. As Alfred tells“And the knife works… my lord. So bloody, but you miss every artery enough.
Batman also wields a massive axe, which he detaches from his chest logo. In a particularly terrifying moment, Bruce uses the ax to sever one of the Party Animal’s handscutting it clean off. The permanent damage, particularly the sealing of the hand, is in sharp contrast to how the normal Batman typically operates. In the DCU, Bruce is rarely depicted causing such unnecessary injuries. In fact, he would even teach his robin if he noticed them as getting “Too violent.” The stark contrast emphasizes how much more violent the iteration of the Dark Knight is in the Absolute Universe.
Absolute Batman’s excessive violence is necessary
The villains of the Absolute universe are more dangerous and sadistic than ever
While I’m hooked on Absolute Batman’s heightened violence for the pure thrill of it, there’s a deeper narrative reason behind it that goes beyond the typical comic book action. As mentioned earlier, the Absolute Universe presents a darker, grittier version of the DCU, where Heroes are outmatched and villains often dominate due to the pervasive influence of Darkseid’s energy. This makes the villains tougher, more ruthless and more dangerous than their normal counterparts. Black Mask, for example, leads a violent domestic terrorist group, terrorizing Gotham non-stop.
In this context, Batman’s extreme violence serves a crucial function. To take on the overwhelmingly powerful enemies, he needs to match their brutality And make a lasting impact. The villains in this universe have long been free to spread fear and chaos, giving them a significant upper hand. Batman, however, has to hit harder, but still hold the line between them and himself by keeping his violence non-lethal. This subtle balance hasn’t been fully explored in the story yet, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before the story dives into this pretext.
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Absolute Batman is the perfect mix between normal Batman and Red Hood
Why I absolutely can’t get enough of Batman’s Darker Side
Absolute Batman has a serious violence problem, from cutting hands to slicing villains within an inch of their lives, and I can’t get enough of it. While some fans admire the standard Batman’s more restrained approach, I always side with Red Hood’s logic when dealing with the worst of the worst – eliminating them permanently from the equation. That’s why I see Absolute Batman as the perfect balance. He holds the standard Batman Do not kill rules, but he does not pull punches against those whose only purpose is to spread death and destruction.
Absolute Batman #1 is now available from DC Comics!
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Absolute Batman #1 (2024) |
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