Absolute Batman Just Made a Fatal Mistake

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It’s tough to admit, but Absolute Batman recently made a major error. Unlike the Batman we usually know, this version – from the Absolute Universe – didn’t inherit a family fortune or a company. Even without those advantages, he’s been working to improve his world, successfully taking down villains like Black Mask, the Party Animals, and Bane. This has made him a hero to many, though not everyone is a fan.

The story has shown how Bruce Wayne’s dedication to being Batman is damaging his relationships. For example, when Bruce disrupted the Joker’s schemes, the Joker retaliated by sending Bane to attack Gotham and severely injure Batman’s friends – Eddie, Harvey, and Oz. On top of that, Bruce’s mother endured months of worry and pain while he was held captive in Arkham Asylum. Bruce is struggling to balance his life as Batman and Bruce Wayne, and now he’s about to make a terrible choice in an attempt to fix everything.

Absolute Batman is Killing His Heart to ‘Evolve’

Issues #17 and #18 of Absolute Batman, created by Scott Snyder, Eric Canete, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles, feature a two-part story where Batman confronts Poison Ivy within the Absolute Universe. However, the story isn’t just about the fight; it also explores Bruce Wayne’s life after his battle with Bane. He’s had time to consider how Gotham has changed, becoming a city where Batman is a popular symbol, even appearing on merchandise. Despite the public’s adoration for Batman, Bruce has become increasingly isolated from those closest to him personally.

Bruce is desperately trying to reconnect with his friends, but they’re pushing him away. He’s also grown distant from his mother. His only focus now is being Batman. When Poison Ivy attacks Gotham, Bruce steps in to stop her. However, Ivy is both clever and strong. During their battle, she attempts to persuade Bruce to allow her to alter him, believing it will make him stronger and better equipped to defeat the dangerous Absolute Joker.

Poison Ivy argues that Batman’s actions have made things more difficult for her partner, and pushes him to adapt if he wants to succeed. Batman concedes he needs to change, but insists on doing it his way. He manages to stop Ivy’s attack on the city by pretending to threaten her life, but once the danger is over, he cruelly destroys the last vestige of her humanity. Following this, Batman distances himself from his allies, even severing ties with his mother, and fully dedicates himself to being Batman.

Absolute Batman is Evolving, But in the Wrong Direction

It’s disheartening to see Batman isolating himself. What made this version of the character compelling was how unique his group of allies was, differing greatly from his usual team in the main DC universe. To be honest, Bruce Wayne’s world has been turned upside down since the start of this series. His friends have all faced major difficulties, and Bruce himself has endured intense pain and near-death experiences. Despite the public’s excitement about Batman, his choices have deeply hurt those closest to him, and he’s still far from defeating Grimm and stopping his dangerous plans for Gotham.

Batman is at a critical moment. He’s realizing he’s harmed those he cares about and isn’t fighting the Absolute Joker with everything he has. He feels his only option is to completely isolate himself – to cut ties with everyone he knows. He believes this will protect them from being hurt by or because of him. However, he’s acting impulsively out of pain, and if he took a moment to think things through, he’d see that this plan is a terrible mistake.

Batman’s victory over Bane wasn’t a solo effort – he needed help from his allies. While Batman is undoubtedly a capable hero, he struggles when he’s completely on his own. Despite being known as a loner, Batman actually performs best when he has a support system. Though it might seem tempting for him to isolate himself, he’ll need all the help he can get to overcome the challenges ahead.

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2026-03-12 17:43