DC Comics’ new “Absolute Universe” is offering long-time comic fans wild new takes on classic characters, giving first-time comic readers a new jumping-on point.
The first run of this new universe is “Absolute Batman,” from Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin. The story takes place in a starkly different world, where Bruce Wayne is not the absurdly rich playboy he’s always been known to be, but instead grew up in the lower-middle class.
The book starts off with immediate intrigue, following a brooding biker monologuing about the state of Gotham City, reminiscent of Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” film. Instead of our would-be Batman, however, the biker reveals himself to be Alfred Pennyworth. Rather than the caring, supportive confidant to Wayne, this universe’s Pennyworth is a gun for hire, and serves as an antagonistic force to Batman in the first 42 pages.
Through more of Pennyworth’s internal monologue later in the issue, we learn that this version of Wayne has ties with members of the criminal underworld, and has a bit of a criminal record himself. It’s explained that he eventually turned his life around, and studied various STEM fields to acquire the skills of The Batman.
This script flip is particularly exciting to me because Bruce Wayne’s connection to Gotham has always been an integral part of the character. Putting him closer to the ground level, experiencing social inequalities more directly, has the potential for some very interesting character exploration moving forward.
Through the action in this first issue, it’s apparent how a less-privileged life in Gotham has hardened Wayne.
His attacks on the villains in this book are visceral, and at times even cruel. As Batman, he appears monstrous and nearly inhuman, standing at 6 feet 7 inches. His limbs are muscular to the point of looking like tree trunks, and you can almost hear this tank of a Batman thundering across the pages as he brutalizes his foes.
Once the smoke settles, however, it’s revealed that none of the villains were killed, indicating to the reader that this version of Batman maintains the “no kill” rule that is synonymous to the character.
Dragotta’s art for this run of Batman feels reminiscent of classic Batman stories like “The Long Halloween” with its use of shadows, while having more modern and vibrant coloring. Though the character design for this version of Batman was controversial leading up to release, after seeing the Dark Knight in action I can say I absolutely love it.
He feels like a force of nature, and while reading I felt the same fear stricken in me that the masked vigilante instills in the criminals of Gotham.
The way that Snyder has taken so many fundamental aspects of the Batman mythos and flipped them on their heads is so fascinating, and I cannot wait to see where the story can go from here.
As a first issue, it’s impressive how much new information is given to the reader without feeling like an exposition dump, while still cramming in action every few pages.
“Absolute Batman” is a must-read entry to the DC Comics universe, and it leaves me excited to see how other characters are adapted in their “Absolute” forms. The next installment to this series is set to release Nov. 13, and I will absolutely be picking it up.
I give this first issue a 9.5 out of 10.
