Absolute Batman #1 review: Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta add a great new spin on the classic DC character
After months of speculation, rumors, and theorizing, Absolute Batman #1 finally hit comic book stands today on October 9, 2024. As a part of DC's All In initiative, where every book is set to be a new jumping point for readers, Absolute Batman takes place in a new universe where classic DC superheroes will be reimagined - something similar to what Marvel has done with the Ultimate universe.
Absolute Batman #1 comes from veteran Batman writer Scott Snyder, who teams up with artist Nick Dragotta, colorist Frank Martin, and letterer Clayton Cowles, to deliver this new reimagining of the Dark Knight. In the book, Bruce Wayne is a middle-class city engineer who, after a traumatic event, takes up the cape and cowl to wage his war on crime.
This sounds similar, aside from the middle-class Bruce Wayne. In execution, it's a completely different world. What Snyder has done well with Absolute Batman #1 is taking the roots of what makes Batman the character he is, but adding meaningful changes to the overall status quo. These points help differentiate this version from the billionaire playboy persona that fans are used to.
Warning: Spoilers for the comic to follow.
Absolute Batman #1 review
Scott Snyder changes the status quo
Right off the bat, fans will notice quite a different version of Alfred Pennyworth. He is not Bruce Wayne's butler, but rather an ex-MI6 agent. He now works as a mercenary and scopes out a new gang that has popped up and is causing chaos in Gotham. And that's what Scott Snyder does here; he takes the status quo, makes it slightly edgier, and executes it with finesse.
With this version of Bruce Wayne too, he is a city engineer who saw his father gunned down at the zoo at a very young age and now lives with his mother while waging his war on crime. This Bruce still has that classic anger of seeing his parents gunned down, but this time it's singular, and he has someone who can hone him in. It's what makes this version of Batman special.
Aside from that, most of his rogues, like Waylon Jones (Killer Croc), Oswald Cobblepot (The Penguin), Selina Kyle (Catwoman), Edward Nygma (The Riddler), and Harvey Dent (Two-Face), are portrayed as his childhood friends. While it remains to be seen whether they will become the iconic versions of their characters, the setup is certainly intriguing.
A much more brutal Batman
Absolute Batman #1 also sets up Black Mask as the first villain of the five-issue arc. With his gang terrorizing Gotham City as people are being murdered left and right, it calls for a much more brutal Batman too - and writer Scott Snyder and artist Nick Dragotta deliver exactly that. There has been much discourse about this Batman's appearance, but in the context of the book, it works.
With a brilliant action-set piece taking place in the middle of the book with Batman taking on Black Mask's goons at the city hall, the physicality of the character is highlighted extremely well. The Batsuit here is shaped to feel more like a creature than any other look of Batman before, and fans can certainly see how Wayne's experience as an engineer has helped him shape this look.
His cape has hooks attached to it, letting him easily dispatch enemies, while he can also use it as stilts to get across a large crowd. His massive symbol also turns into an axe - which is a great spin on the concept of his gadgets itself. Overall, this Batman feels angrier and has a drive to him that makes him an interesting character to follow.
However, Absolute Batman #1 does falter in some places, and that has to do with how many namedrops it has. As previously mentioned, characters like Harvey Dent and Selina Kyle are all just referenced on one page, and it just feels like a rather inauthentic way to introduce these characters. It feels like a way to remind fans that it is still Batman.
The last page, while exciting, is especially a huge offender of this. While it would be fun to explain and dig into the surprise, it's better to leave this one to be discovered by fans on their own.
Nick Dragotta's brilliant art
Coming to the real star of the show, it's Nick Dragotta who makes Absolute Batman #1 much more exciting. His artwork feels fresh and unique - unlike anything fans have ever seen with Batman. It's hyper-stylized and has distinctive designs to it (just like Batman's artwork) that help keep this story fresh.
Black Mask also has an intimidating look that helps prop him up as a dangerous foe to be on the lookout for. When coming to the action scenes too, everything is neatly spaced out and easy to follow with every beat packing a punch.
Not to mention, Frank Martin's colors end up complimenting the art so well.
Final verdict
Absolute Batman #1 is the relaunch of the year that fans wouldn't want to miss. Just like Ultimate Spider-Man, it brings something new and exciting to the character that longtime readers will want to tune in for and new incoming readers will certainly be intrigued by. If this is the quality that Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta continue to deliver, then DC has a great series on its hands.
Absolute Batman #1 can be brought in physical and digital stores right now.