Absolute Batman #4 - DC Comics

ABSOLUTE BATMAN No. 4, March 2025

Fully focused upon establishing just how “Absolute Batman has established himself as an extremely large force to be reckoned with”, Scott Snyder’s storyline for this particular twenty-five page publication probably frustrated a fair few within the comic’s audience. Indeed, for any bibliophiles solely interested in just the Dark Knight’s battle against Roman Sionis’ metropolis-wide criminal organisation, this entire so-called “pivotal” issue could easily be missed out entirely – as regrettably little in the way of the ongoing title’s overarching narrative is actually progressed; “It’s unconventional, but given the extraordinary nature of this case, I’ve granted you that right.”

Instead, this book’s American author pens a hefty flashback to a time when an adolescent Bruce Wayne apparently continually overthinks his entry for the Young Engineers Competition, and later takes his first tentative steps as a pistol-packing Caped Crusader following “the tragic events of his childhood”. Of course, the crime-fighter’s first foray out into Gotham City’s night-time skyline is pretty engrossing, especially as the costumed vigilante is depicted wearing “silicon fangs loaded with paralytic” and pointing a hand-gun. Yet such adrenalin-fuelled sequences soon debatably become lost amidst the suffocating morass of this publication’s word-heavy exposition, rather than simply adding to an already engrossing read.

Sadly, just as unclear and choppily penned is young Bruce’s competition entry, which initially appears to be some sort of animal-influenced bridge that has adjustable pilings and extendable girders. The boy appears to constantly rework the actual design throughout this comic, and rather unconvincingly eventually creates some sort of flying, origami-like bridge which can supposedly “be dropped from a plane and parachute down” to where it is most needed.   

By far this book’s biggest disappointment though surely lies in the layouts of “guest artist Gabriel Walta”, who alongside colorist Frank Martin, arguably provides its proceedings with an inauspicious, almost amateurish look. This substandard ‘style’ seems especially disagreeable to the eye during Batman’s first ever mission, with the lead protagonist appearing strangely awkward and slightly misshapen. Admittedly, things do seem to increasingly improve as the adventure continues. But overall it would seem that the penciller is far better at sketching sedentary figures stood talking, than anyone involved in a little bit of action.

The regular cover art of "ABSOLUTE BATMAN" #4 by Nick Dragotta & Frank Martin