Nobody Wants To Talk About the Harsh Truth of Absolute Batman

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DC’s Absolute Universe is currently one of the most talked-about series in comics. It’s set in a different version of the DC universe, shaped by the power of Darkseid, where heroes face constant struggles and aren’t the dominant figures we usually see. There are currently five ongoing series, allowing readers to discover darker takes on beloved DC characters. Among them, *Absolute Batman*, by writer Scott Snyder and artist Nick Dragotta, is particularly popular. It’s redefining Batman and the characters around him in surprising and often shocking ways.

Although *Absolute Batman* is a solid comic that explores the Batman story in interesting ways, it’s not addressing a key issue. Despite significant changes to Bruce Wayne’s background and a fresh take on the character, the comic also reinforces a tired, familiar pattern that Batman has been caught in for years. Ultimately, *Absolute Batman* is another dark and gritty Batman story that depends on bleakness instead of taking risks and truly reinventing the character for DC Comics.

Absolute Batman Takes Some Big Swings, Just Into Familiar Territory

Absolute Batman presents a fresh take on the classic Batman story. It focuses on a young Bruce Wayne from a working-class background, still haunted by the loss of his parents, but with a slightly altered origin. In this version, his father was killed protecting him and other children at the Gotham Zoo. Bruce grows up in Crime Alley with his mother, deeply affected by his father’s death. He earns a university scholarship, using it to prepare for his mission to fight crime as Batman, relying entirely on his own resources. The story also reimagines familiar characters; his future enemies are childhood friends, Alfred Pennyworth is an undercover investigator, and even the Joker is portrayed as a wealthy individual.

Although these changes are noteworthy, they follow a common trend in Batman stories. Even though this version of Bruce Wayne is portrayed as working class and uses his job to fund his Batman activities, he still has access to technology, resources, and knowledge that a typical person wouldn’t. This feels like another attempt to minimize or obscure Bruce Wayne’s wealth, something Batman narratives have done repeatedly, most recently in the “Joker War” storyline.

The villains in Batman’s world fall into predictable patterns. Several start as childhood friends of Bruce Wayne, but they’re all damaged by Bane, seemingly setting them up as future enemies. The story also relies on the familiar idea that Batman is responsible for everything, revealing that Bane is targeting these characters *because* of Batman – he wants to hurt Batman by breaking his friends. This adds to a long list of overused tropes: the story of breaking Batman has been done countless times in comics like “Knightfall” and “City of Bane,” to the point where Bane feels like a one-dimensional character with plans that don’t really make sense. Seeing this happen again, even with the “Absolute” label, feels repetitive.

Absolute Batman Is a Great Read But It’s Really Every Other Dark Batman Story With a New Coat of Paint

Let’s be clear: *Absolute Batman* is a well-made and compelling Batman story. Snyder’s writing is excellent, and Dragotta’s artwork, especially the design of the Joker, is incredibly striking and unsettling. The book’s quality isn’t the issue. However, it doesn’t offer the fresh or groundbreaking approach some readers might have hoped for. At its heart, it’s a dark and gritty story that revisits familiar themes: Batman being broken down, taking responsibility for everything, and existing in a bleak world where happiness seems impossible. Bruce Wayne is trapped in a cycle of pain and violence, much like in the main Batman storyline. While the specifics are different, the overall story feels very similar to what we’ve seen before.

The core issue with Absolute Batman is that it doesn’t really break new ground. While beautifully made and enjoyable to read, it feels like just another dark and gritty Batman story – something DC has done many times recently. Unlike other ‘Absolute’ titles like Wonder Woman, Superman, and Martian Manhunter, which offer truly unique takes on those heroes, Absolute Batman doesn’t redefine the character. It simply reinforces the idea of Batman as a perpetually brooding and unhappy figure, even if it does so with impressive craftsmanship.

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2025-10-19 01:11