From writer Scott Snyder and illustrator Nick Dragotta, “Absolute Batman” is a bold new iteration of the Caped Crusader and the first entry in DC’s new “Absolute Universe” comic book series, which will also include “Absolute Superman” and “Absolute Wonder Woman.”
In this daring new retelling, Bruce Wayne isn’t a billionaire playboy — he’s a city engineer who hails from humble beginnings, which means he doesn’t have a mansion or a butler, either — in fact, Alfred Pennyworth is now a hardened secret agent who stalks Batman.
But Bruce and Alfred aren’t the only characters who’ve been reimagined. The first issue reveals that Bruce grew up with a close-knit circle of friends that include Oswald Cobblepot (AKA The Penguin), Selina Kyle (AKA Catwoman), and Waylon Jones (AKA Killer Croc).
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Issue #1 hit shelves on October 9 and has so far received wide critical acclaim from Batman fans. However, there was some controversy surrounding the new Bat-logo for the comic book prior to its release, which appears oddly square-shaped compared to previous iterations.
But the first issue of “Absolute Batman” offers plenty of context regarding the redesigned emblem, which has put fans’ minds at ease. Not only does the “blocky” logo fit nicely onto the hulking Batman’s massive chest (as a gym addict, he certainly doesn’t skip chest day), but there’s also a much deeper meaning to the design, and, in a word, it’s pretty awesome.
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During a scene in which Batman — who’s perhaps the most menacing portrayal of the Gotham City crime-fighter since Frank Miller’s graphic novel “The Dark Knight Returns” (1986) — faces off against a ruthless new enemy, it’s revealed that his chest emblem is actually the blade of an ax (the large metal plate is removed — seemingly by magnet — when Batman lifts the handle to his chest)!
Needless to say, this is easily one of the boldest visions of the Bat-logo ever, and it puts Batman’s trusted “Batarangs” to shame. The fact that his chest emblem doubles as an ax of all things — a weapon the Caped Crusader has never used before — is jaw-dropping.
But it’s not the only thrilling aspect about “Absolute Batman” — everything has been turned on its head, and with several more issues lined up, it’s exciting to see how other Gotham City inhabitants have been reimagined (the closing panels in #1 tease a new version of Joker).
In September, writer Scott Snyder, who has penned several Batman comic book titles, said in a teaser video for “Absolute Batman,” “The whole idea was to invert the entire mythology of Batman, and so he’s not a generational billionaire. He’s anarchy, he’s that wild, primal beast that just is going to go straight at those things you don’t wanna go straight at, at all. He’s just larger than life in all of it.”
“It isn’t just sort of Batman has no money, the villains have money,” he added, “it’s an inversion of everything. He grows up in Crime Alley. His villains have a different role. The city is different; it’s a city of extremes. His allies are different, everything is different.”
Watch the video below:
“Absolute Batman” #1 is on sale now. Issue #2 will be released on November 13.
There’s a lot of upcoming Batman content to look forward to. In addition to Matt Reeves’ sequel, The Batman Part II, which will see Robert Pattinson reprise his role as the titular Dark Knight in October, 2026, there’s a reboot titled The Brave and the Bold in the works, which is based on the comic book series of the same name. The new film will form part of the new DC Universe (DCU), which will begin with James Gunn’s SUPERMAN (2025).
Meanwhile, there are plenty of brand-new Batman sequels now available, including the movie sequel Joker: Folie à Deux, the novel “Batman: Resurrection” (which is a direct sequel to Tim Burton’s Batman), and the virtual reality game “Batman: Arkham Shadow.”
Have you read “Absolute Batman” yet? What do you think of the new logo? Let us know in the comments down below!
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