Absolute Batman #1 reinvents a classic DC villain in a huge way: All to know about the character
The first issue of Absolute Batman hit stores on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, and it put on a brand new spin on the iconic DC character. As part of DC's All In initiative and the new Absolute universe, the book comes from writer Scott Snyder and artist Nick Dragotta, follows a 24-year-old Bruce Wayne who isn't a billionaire, but rather is a middle-class man living in Gotham and working as a city engineer.
Absolute Batman #1 dives deep into what makes this version of Batman different and hugely shifts his status quo. The book sees him taking on Black Mask's gang and shows a much more brutal side of the Caped Crusader. Alongside that, many of his rogues are shown to be his close friends, with him having grown up with the likes of Harvey Dent, Selina Kyle, Waylon Jones, and more.
Warning: Spoilers for the comic to follow.
However, the comic takes one huge swing by introducing The Joker at the end - but it's not the version that fans would have expected it to be. This Joker does not like jokes and is one of the richest men on the planet. So, Absolute Batman is pretty much giving this Joker the status quo the classic version of Bruce Wayne would have had in the prime universe.
Exploring how Absolute Batman #1 reinvents the Joker
At the end of the first issue of Absolute Batman, it is revealed that Alfred Pennyworth, an ex-MI6 agent and now a mercenary, was previously tracking a different target before coming to Gotham. This target previously killed Henri Ducard and has trained with the League of Shadows.
Further details about the character are revealed when two helicopter pilots, who are going to be his escorts, are talking about him. One of them mentions that he is one of the richest men on the planet, to which the other replies joking about whether he would like to be his rich considerate friend. This leads the other pilot to mention never to joke around him because their escort doesn't appreciate jokes.
Rather, he kills the people who joke around him, and this leads to him getting the name The Joker, as no one knows what his real name is. So, it looks like the Absolute Batman version of the Joker is quite the opposite of his classic counterpart, and rather he is someone who doesn't appreciate a sense of humor.
This version of the Joker also doesn't feature the iconic white skin and green hair but rather is just a normal man with slicked-back hair. However, much of his face isn't shown properly.
What can fans expect from the comic in the future?
Going forward, fans shouldn't expect Joker immediately in the story. Given that the main focus of the first arc is on Black Mask and his goons, fans should expect to see more of him going forward. Given that Batman was able to dispatch off his goons really quickly, fans can certainly expect the villain to not appreciate that and set his sights on the Dark Knight.
Fans can check out issue 2 of the comic book when it releases on November 13, 2024.