Notice! Spoilers ahead for Absolute Batman #1!The youngest Batman has finally arrived in the DC Universe and has a Batcave located in the heart of Gotham City. The Absolute Batman may not have wealth, but he has secrets hidden throughout the city, including a surprisingly brilliant lair.
After Darkseid’s physical body was destroyed, his energy gave rise to the Absolute Universe, a distorted world where turmoil and hardship are woven into the fabric of reality. This world’s Batman doesn’t have the privileges of his Prime counterpart, but he’s recreating the best elements of the Dark Knight lore thanks to his new background and improvisational skills.
Absolute Batman’s first Batcave is located in an abandoned tower
Batman’s makeshift lair overlooks Gotham City
In Absolute Batman #1 by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin and Clayton Cowles MI-6 agent Alfred Pennyworth returns to Gotham for the first time in years to observe and gain information about the terrifying new terrorist gang, the Party Animals. Alfred is ordered not to confront the Party Animals, but is given permission to engage with Gotham’s new vigilante. At the same time, a young Bruce Wayne trains at his friend Waylon Jones’ gym, Preparing for another night as Batman.
Curious to know how the Absolute Universe began? To read DC All In Special #1 (2024)!
Gotham Mayor Jim Gordon holds a town hall for the citizens, all of whom live in fear of the Party Animals. Unfortunately, the Party Animals attack City Hall and, after shooting Gordon, prepare to massacre the attendees. Fortunately, Batman is on the scene and takes on the gang alone. Alfred watches the fight, noting how skilled the vigilante appears to be. When Alfred tries to confront Bruce, Batman effortlessly disarms him and escapes with Pennyworth’s gun. Alfred spends the next few days tracking down Batman, discovering that he is actually civil engineer Bruce Wayne.
These buildings were part of an investment scheme by companies and oligarchs who had no intention of finishing them.
Night arrives and Alfred tracks Batman to the upper floors of several abandoned buildings in Gotham. These buildings were part of an investment scheme by companies and oligarchs who had no intention of finishing them. But as Bruce worked on them, he knew he would have free reign over them and set up a kind of improvised ‘Batcave’ full of computers, weapons and a bicycle he stole from Alfred. Once again, Pennyworth tries to fight Batman, but Bruce turns the tables on Alfred and the hero easily escapes his lair.
Absolute Batman’s Batcave Shows Off His Strategic Mind
The ‘Batcave’ is where it needs to be
If there’s one thing that Absolute Batman #1 proves that Bruce Wayne doesn’t need a fortune to be the Caped Crusader. He may not have the Wayne family fortune, but he spent a good decade learning everything he needed to be as Gotham’s protector, including engineering. Bruce’s studies, combined with his career in the city’s public works, have given him a deep knowledge of Gotham’s hidden corners, including the unfinished tower that Batman set up as his first headquarters.
The Batman of the Absolute Universe does not have the comfort of an isolated cave far from the city to use as a lair. But his work helped him discover places the public doesn’t pay attention to. After all, who’s really going to look at an eyesore that simply goes unused? Even better, this ‘Batcave’ keeps him connected to the city and allows him to keep an eye on criminal activity in Gotham. Of course, it doesn’t have the default hiding details, but There’s a Serious Advantage to Batman’s Discreet Batcave.
Batman’s absolute hideout, however, doesn’t have to be in a set location.
Despite Alfred finding Bruce’s lair, he doesn’t seem particularly bothered. With what Batman has seen in his career, he no doubt already has another place lined up to serve as his next Batcave (knowing Batman, he probably has at least a dozen). The regular Batcave has always been in a fixed location, and while that has its advantages, security has always been a major concern. Batman’s absolute hideout, however, doesn’t have to be in a set location. He knows his city deeply and if a location is compromised, he could easily set up a new Batcave and not miss a step.
Absolute Batman’s ‘Batcave’ is perfect for Darkseid’s world
The Absolute Universe Shaped a Better Batcave
Bruce doesn’t have the safety net that his richer counterpart does, so he needs to play it safe. With the worst parts of Gotham behind him, he can’t invest much in one location, so he builds a temporary location in a low-traffic area until it stops being useful. It’s a great method in this world and one that will certainly keep you alive as your mission grows. While he may not be able to create a large Batcave, his makeshift hideouts scattered around the city are a brilliant way to stay calm. Batman on top of things in Gotham.
Absolute Batman #1 is now available from DC Comics.