Absolute Batman’s New Mr. Freeze is Chillingly Horrific (Review)

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As a devoted movie critic, I must say that the DC’s Absolute line of comics has been reigning supreme on the sales charts, with “Absolute Batman” taking center stage and revolutionizing the Batman mythos in this fresh new universe. In this latest series, we’ve witnessed captivating new iterations of Batman, Alfred Pennyworth, and several of the Dark Knight’s adversaries, while uncovering the rich, untold history of Bruce Wayne that sets it apart. The first six issues set the stage with Batman facing off against the Black Mask, but the upcoming story arc delves deep into the icy depths of Mr. Freeze.

Mr. Freeze is a beloved Batman villain, cherished by fans for his poignant origin tale. However, “Absolute Mr. Freeze” deviates from the portrayal in “Batman: The Animated Series,” as clearly indicated in “Absolute Batman” issue 8.

In this issue, renowned Batman author Scott Snyder demonstrates why he’s beloved among Bat-fans in the 21st century. He skillfully weaves a tale with various layers: Mr. Freeze kidnaps “Matches Malone”, who is actually Batman in disguise, while simultaneously offering flashbacks of Batman and his associates reminiscing about Matches and understanding his past, as a tribute following his demise. Simultaneously, scenes from Alfred training Bruce are presented. Snyder deftly handles three separate timeframes within this issue, seamlessly transitioning between them to amplify the story’s suspense, as Freeze plunges Batman into a coolant tube. The pacing is impeccable, lending the narrative considerable depth.

Scott Snyder consistently excels at flipping traditional Batman storylines on their head, and he does just that brilliantly with Mr. Freeze. There’s a lot of preconceived notions when it comes to Mr. Freeze stories, as fans have specific expectations. Generally, Mr. Freeze is considered one of Batman’s less intimidating villains due to his emotional attachment to his wife Nora. However, in this new adaptation, Snyder discards all that familiarity. This isn’t the lovable antagonist from the primary universe; instead, he presents a terrifying monster. Snyder skillfully demonstrates that our expectations will not be met with this reimagined Freeze. The Absolute Universe’s greatest asset has been its ability to shock readers with fresh takes on familiar characters, and Freeze is another compelling example of this trend.

Yet, the unique charm of Snyder’s latest Mr. Freeze wouldn’t be as captivating without the artistic touch of Marcos Martin. Martin masterfully transforms this iteration of Freeze into a chilling character by skillfully depicting him as lean yet powerfully muscled, with blue veins running everywhere and an expression that sends shivers down one’s spine. The remarkable eye for design that Martin possesses is evident in his creative decisions, such as keeping Freeze’s face largely in shadow throughout the issue, thereby creating a mythical, faceless image of the villain. This artistic style is truly fitting for a villain; Martin breathes life into Snyder’s vision of the new Mr. Freeze in a mesmerizing way.

Martin’s artwork, collaborating with color artist Muntsa Vicente, is stunningly beautiful all around. The page layouts by Martin are crucial in establishing Snyder’s pace, skillfully integrating different time periods, often depicting multiple periods on a single page. I am particularly drawn to the title page, which cleverly portrays Batman’s fear through Bruce’s wide-eyed stare and the blue veins running along his face within the word “Zero”. Martin’s linework is exceptional, effectively conveying Batman’s terror as he struggles to break free from Freeze’s trap. The action sequences in this book are equally impressive, as Batman fights against the chilling creatures that can only be described as Freeze’s ice-zombies. Nick Dragotta, the regular artist for Absolute Batman, left some substantial shoes to fill, and Martin more than ably steps up to the challenge, not just filling those shoes but making the book uniquely his own. Vicente’s colors are breathtaking, demonstrating a keen understanding of how color can set the stage, which significantly enhances the impact of Martin’s artwork. This issue’s art is simply stunning.

In issue #8 of “Absolute Batman,” there’s an overwhelming sense of importance and it doesn’t disappoint at all. It’s challenging to envision a scenario where a comic from Scott Snyder and Marcos Martin could be subpar, because clearly, this isn’t one of them. This issue is a gripping masterpiece that leaves you awestruck, its artwork being something that simply must be experienced.

This is an impressive debut for Mr. Freeze in the “Absolute Universe,” seamlessly blending into the chilling atmosphere that Snyder and Dragotta established in the initial story arc of this series. “Absolute Batman” may face stiff competition within the Absolute line, but with issues like this one, it’s clear that its position at the top isn’t under threat anytime soon.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Published by DC Comics

Released on May 14th 2025

Written by Scott Snyder

Art by Marcos Martin

Color Art by Muntsa Vicente

Letters by Clayton Cowles

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2025-05-14 15:32