Absolute Batman #1 - DC Comics

ABSOLUTE BATMAN No. 1, April 2025

It’s probably a safe bet to think that many a reader of this thirty-eight page periodical were somewhat bemused by Scott Snyder’s “version of the Dark Knight that doesn’t have the money, mansion, or butler of his core-line counterpart”. Indeed, the comic’s opening, which depicts Alfred Pennyworth as some sort of top tier, black ops reconnaissance agent conducting a surveillance mission in Gotham City, must have been incredibly disorientating for lifelong Bat-fans - and frankly matters aren’t then helped when it’s revealed that Bruce Wayne is little more than a well-built city engineer whose mother is shockingly still alive.

Fortunately though, for those bibliophiles willing to stay the course with Issue One of “Absolute Batman”, things eventually begin to click into place. Admittedly, much of this acclimatisation doesn’t really occur until halfway through the publication, when the Caped Crusader finally makes his stand against the mass-murdering members of the Party Animals on the steps of the town hall. But even before this the American author has already arguably caught more than enough of his audience’s attention to warrant them finishing the book with plenty of well-penned mystery surrounding the metropolis' latest lunatic; “This hand has killed more people than you can count. Now I’m going to give you once chance. Get the #$%& out of our way.”

By far this narrative’s greatest asset however, has to lie in the utterly engrossing relationship between Pennyworth and Wayne, as the pair trade gun-shots with one another from a mutually respectful distance. This riveting rapport is clearly unlike anything which has previously been printed within a Bat-title, and whilst it does still somewhat smack of Alfred potentially adopting the role of a surrogate father, it also strongly suggests that the pair may well be willing to physically work together in the field against the conurbation’s criminal community, as opposed to their much more familiar master/servant affair.

Similarly bringing his ‘A-game’ to this ‘bold new direction for DC Comics’ mainstay super hero’ is Nick Dragotta. The illustrator certainly seems able to imbue this book with the strong visual vibe of Frank Miller’s legendary 1986 mini-series “The Dark Knight Returns”, whilst simultaneously adding a few embellishments of his own to the mixture – such as a truly disturbing reimaging of the Black Mask. Coupled with the aforementioned pulse-pounding punch-up outside Gotham’s main municipal centre, and the Dark Knight’s occasional clashes with Pennyworth, these prodigiously pencilled layouts clearly show just why this was “undisputedly the best-selling comic of 2024.”

The regular cover art of "ABSOLUTE BATMAN" #1 by Nick Dragotta & Franbk Martin