Absolute Batman Just Got Superpowers (and It’s Turning Him into Bane)

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In the most challenging battle yet, Batman has faced off against Bane. Following their initial confrontation, the Ultimate Batman was imprisoned within Ark M, a subterranean facility dedicated to human experimentation. There, he underwent gruesome surgeries and tests aimed at transforming him into a clone of Bane. He remained captive for months, eventually managing to break free with the help of his former ally-turned-beast, Waylon Jones. Now back on the streets of Gotham City, Batman is technically freed, but the effects of the experiments continue to take hold.

Throughout his time serving as their experimental subject, Dr. Arkham and Bane aimed to crush Bruce’s resolve, transforming him into a lethal weapon under their control. They understood that so long as Batman retained the choice to resist, he would continue to challenge them relentlessly until there was no more fight left in him. Gifting him these powers would be futile if he refused to surrender his autonomy, like Bane had. Now, with Venom coursing through his veins, Bruce’s unyielding spirit is on the verge of breaking – unless assistance intervenes to prevent it from crumbling completely.

Bat-Bane, the Absolute Monster

Twenty days post his escape from Ark M, Bruce found unconscious in Alfred’s Batcave. Alfred informed Bruce that a toxin called Venom was injected into him, although the final step wasn’t completed, some of it had already entered his system, causing agony and visible green veins. Despite this, Bruce wanted to visit his mother, but en route, he experienced episodes of Venom surging through him in unpredictable bursts. This transformation seemed underway, as initially Bruce was missing a few teeth (which he often used as weapons), but by the end of the story, all his teeth were back.

It’s evident that Batman now has some sort of restricted regenerative abilities, and his display of extraordinary strength during his escape suggests he might also have limited superhuman strength. The Venom serum didn’t just boost Bane’s physical power; it appeared to fundamentally alter his mind as well, making it akin to a powerful computer. Although Batman hasn’t undergone the complete transformation process that Bane has, it’s clear he will feel the effects of these enhancements. What makes this intriguing isn’t just the potential for Batman to become a metahuman, but how his evolution mirrors Bane’s journey into becoming what he is today, and how Bane intends to finally shatter Batman.

Batman Pushed to the Edge

Bane understands that Batman’s spirit cannot be crushed by pain or scientific manipulation; instead, he aims to make Batman yield. To achieve this goal, Bane targets Bruce Wayne’s loved ones, causing harm to individuals like Harvey Dent, Ozzie Cobblepot (the future Riddler), and Eddie Nashton. As a result, each of these characters embarks on a path towards becoming supervillains.

Bane manipulates them by playing into their darkest tendencies. For instance, the soon-to-be Riddler views it as a challenge to evolve, which mirrors Bane’s offer to Bruce. Both their stories share some commonalities: much like how Bane served as Gotham’s version of Batman and led an uprising to break free from prison, Bane later embraced the role of the Joker’s enforcer in order to save his home.

Bane has lost hope and seeks to take it away from Bruce as well, using the same tactics that drove him to give up on life. Ultimately, Bane desires another person like himself-either to rationalize his own atrocities or to find someone who can relate to him and understand his motivations.

At the close of this issue, Batman considered surrender, however, Alfred’s intervention and Catwoman’s arrival prevented that. If left unassisted, Batman might have succumbed to becoming like Bane, but his companionship ensures he won’t. Batman is undergoing a physical transformation, yet unlike Bane, he will resist allowing it to alter the essence of his soul. Instead, those he trusts and cares for keep him on the right path. If Batman aims to vanquish Bane, he must lean on his allies. Bane’s efforts to break Batman won’t prevail; instead, they will strengthen him physically and spiritually to persevere in the noble struggle. Since Batman isn’t solitary, Bane’s attempts will fail, and will only fortify him to stand up for justice. The ones who cherish Batman won’t allow him to become a monster like Bane.

Absolute Batman #12 is on sale now!

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2025-09-12 02:11