Absolute Batman Annual Is Brutal Chaos (With A Heartfelt Gut Punch You Won’t See Coming) (Review)

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Since its incredible start, Absolute Batman has consistently been a captivating and surprising comic. That’s why it’s remarkable that the latest issue, Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1, not only maintains that high quality but also introduces a new creative direction and delivers one of the most emotionally impactful scenes in the series so far.

Let me tell you about Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1. It’s actually three stories rolled into one, though the last one feels more like a lighthearted extra. But the first story? Wow. It’s crafted by the incredible team of Daniel Warren Johnson, Mike Spicer, and Clayton Cowles, and honestly, I went in with high hopes – I knew they could do something special with Absolute Batman. They didn’t just meet those expectations, they blew right past them. Those final pages are seriously going to stick with me for a long time.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

PROS CONS
Truly Stunning Visuals Batman’s Stature Breaks Reality At Times
Powerful Poignant Moments Final Story Felt Cut Short

The story throws Bruce into a whirlwind of unpredictable events he can’t ignore. Meanwhile, the author skillfully connects the present with Bruce’s past, leading to a powerful moment where Bruce questions his own actions. The action is fast-paced and relentlessly brutal, staying true to the spirit of Absolute Batman, but it all serves a larger purpose. Later, a shocking reveal forces you to reconsider everything Bruce has done – and how you felt about it – mirroring his own self-reflection.


Johnson delivers a clever and impactful moment, which is made even more powerful by the reveal of Batman’s opponent. This reveal genuinely affects how you see Bruce Wayne’s actions. The situation is complex, ultimately boiling down to a struggle between anger and empathy. It highlights just how challenging it is for anyone—especially someone like Batman, forged in chaos—to balance those two sides of themselves.

The story continues in the second part, called ‘Sanctuary,’ featuring contributions from James Harden, Dave Stewart, Clayton Cowles, and Andrew Marino. Initially, it seems like a typical Batman story focused on the hunt, but it soon becomes clear that there’s a deeper emotional core, though this time, the focus isn’t on Batman himself.

Warren and Stewart offer a fresh visual approach to this story, but it still captures the powerful emotional core of Batman defeating the Black Masks. Their use of vibrant colors makes this installment distinct from previous ones while keeping it connected to the larger Batman world. The artwork is key to making the story’s hopeful ending – the idea that even in darkness, there’s light to be found – truly resonate with readers.



Meredith McClaren and Andrew Marino’s new book, Let’s Learn About Bats, is visually stunning, with McClaren’s beautiful artwork and color choices. I especially liked the unique character designs and expressive faces. The book has an interesting idea – showing what Batman’s life is like and how people react to him by comparing it to the everyday lives of bats. However, it feels a bit short and ends just as the story really starts to develop.

Even though this issue isn’t essential to understanding the main storyline, it’s still a worthwhile read due to its strong content and overall effect. I highly recommend checking it out when you have the chance.

This comic book was published by DC Comics. Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, and Meredith McClaren wrote and illustrated it, with Mike Spicer and Dave Stewart providing colors, and Clayton Cowles handling the lettering.

Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1 is in comic stores now.

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2025-10-29 18:15