Absolute Batman #21 is Action-Packed, But It Might Play Its Hand Too Early (Review)

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The comic series Absolute Batman is incredibly popular right now. It quickly became a hit when it launched in late 2024 and continues to gain momentum. The story is expanding in exciting ways, covering more and more unexpected territory. So far, this latest arc has featured Scarecrow, the various Robins, a surprising new take on Batman’s origins, and the loss of a key character. Issue #21 demonstrates that Absolute Batman is still delivering thrilling action and captivating surprises.

Although the fast pace and high energy are Absolute Batman‘s greatest assets, they could also become its downfall. This issue accomplished a lot, but surprisingly left me feeling unsatisfied – a different sensation than I usually get from this series. Despite this, the story is still absolutely worth reading, and today we’ll discuss why it remains one of DC’s strongest titles, as well as whether its weaknesses are becoming more apparent. Absolute Batman excels at building excitement, but it risks getting overwhelmed by its own momentum.

Rating: 4 out of 5

PROS CONS
Tension that never stops ramping Might be too much too quickly
Very dense, packed storytelling The story definitely needs time to rest
Art that keeps you on the edge of your seat

Insane Developments that Come Just a Bit Too Early

The comic started with a big, explosive fight between Batman and the Robins, living up to everyone’s expectations. It was a great display of Batman’s intense fighting style and how much he’s struggling mentally, although it wasn’t as long as I thought it would be – it only took up a little under half the issue. While a good chunk of the story, the most compelling parts actually happened around the fight. The most powerful scenes were Bruce talking with his friends at Gordon’s funeral, and then his first meeting with Jack Grim, which surprisingly happened in broad daylight.

Despite all the good things about this series, I’m starting to have some issues with the pacing. Each issue is fantastic, and moments like the first encounter between the Joker and Batman were genuinely frightening – it really showed how unpredictable and dangerous the Joker is. However, I think some reveals are happening too quickly. The story has introduced so many characters and villains already, it’s becoming a bit overwhelming to keep up with everything.

The story moves at a rapid pace, pausing only for flashbacks to Bruce’s past. These moments, particularly the one in this issue, are effective in giving the story emotional weight and helping us connect with Bruce as a character. They provide a welcome break, and honestly, the series could benefit from more of them. Because so much is always happening, new elements don’t have time to truly resonate. We need a chance to fully process everything, and I think delaying the introduction of the Joker and Batman’s first encounter could have had a greater impact. Also, I personally found the way the villains’ names were forced into the narrative a little awkward.

Punchy Art that Makes Everyone Claustrophobic

Nick Dragotta is consistently elevating this comic series with his incredible artwork, perfectly complementing Scott Snyder’s story. This story arc especially showcases Dragotta’s technical talent. He builds a remarkable atmosphere through subtle details, primarily focusing on creating a sense of dread. He achieves this with pages filled with many small, tight panels, often close-ups of characters. This technique not only allows for fast-paced storytelling but also makes readers feel claustrophobic and uneasy, making the moments with larger, more expansive artwork even more impactful.

These panels may be small, using plenty of negative space to keep each one separate and lonely, but they are packed with details. The shot of Jason’s gun ripping a building apart and Harley’s last-ditch effort to save Batman are so cool that I just want to keep staring at them. The sepia coloring on the flashback pages is such a small thing, but the way it makes the pages look older is so much fun. Of course, we also have to give a massive shoutout to the character designs. The covers gave us proper looks at Two-Face and Penguin, and both of their looks are downright chilling. They perfectly resemble the original while making their unique mark. 

This issue is generally excellent, though there are a few minor flaws that could become bigger problems later. The story is moving so fast that it risks sacrificing character development, so a slightly slower pace would be beneficial. That said, this issue is incredibly fun and delivers the over-the-top excitement that defines Absolute Batman. It’s bold, energetic, and thoroughly enjoyable, and well worth reading. Hopefully, the pacing will adjust, but even as is, this issue offers a lot of value for your money – significantly more than most comics.

Absolute Batman #21 is on sale now!

Do you think Absolute Batman should slow down or keep things as is?

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2026-06-17 17:13