ComicsDc ComicsBatmanAbsolute Batman #1 explained: Everything you need to know about the Dark Knight’s big relaunchWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ComicsDc ComicsBatmanAbsolute Batman #1 explained: Everything you need to know about the Dark Knight’s big relaunchWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: DC)
It’s finally here! Following DC All In Special #1, the first regular issue ofDC’s new Absolute Universeis in comic stores now. Absolute Batman #1 is a brand-new start for the Dark Knight, featuring an all-new take on Bruce Wayne, his friends and foes, Gotham City, and set on a world that’s a lot harsher than the core DC universe. Forget what you thought you knew about the Caped Crusader, because this book is about to upend it all.
We’ll get into it all right after Dragotta and Martin’s cover and thisGREAT BIG SPOILER WARNING. If you don’t want to find out what happens in this issue, maybe check out some of our other Batman features, like our guide tothe best Joker stories, instead…
(Image credit: DC)
Meet Alfred the assassin
It’s not long before the two cross paths. Alfred watches Bruce in action as he takes down the Party Animals with brutal efficiency. In the wake of the battle, Alfred tries to confront him twice, but is defeated twice, with Batman stealing Alfred’s bike and riding it out of a tower block window.
The Absolute Batman is brutal and BIG
(Image credit: DC)
This won’t be a surprise to anyone who has seen the previews, but Nick Dragotta’s take on the Dark Knight is an absolute unit (Absolute Unit #1, coming soon from DC… OK, not really). “We wanted him to feel like a primal force, just this unstoppable wall coming at you to level anyone in his way,” said Snyderin our recent interview with him and Dragotta. Well, mission accomplished. This is a more obviously intimidating Batman than we’ve seen in a while. He dispatches the Party Animals with maximum prejudice, beating, stabbing (the ears on his new cowl are actually hidden knives), and even chopping one guy’s hand off with his axe – that’s the Bat-Symbol, though he has to attach a handle to it, which feels inconvenient.
Despite all that, Alfred notes that he is careful never to kill. This Batman still adheres to his code of ethics; he’s just a little bit heavier-handed.
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Bruce’s backstory is very different
(Image credit: DC)
There’s a new breed of criminal in town
(Image credit: DC)
Backing the Party Animals is a mysterious and wealthy figure who wears a similar skull mask. Although he is never formally identified in the issue, it’s pretty clear that this is Black Mask – AKA Roman Sionis. We see him court the heads of the Maroni and Falcone crime families before brutally murdering them. Clearly we areonce again situated at the point where the old Gotham mafia gives way to a new generation of costumed killers, traditionally a fertile setting for Batman comics. Black Mask is a great choice for first villain, and a clear sign that the Dark Knight’s enemies in this version of the mythos are going to come from the sort of wealthy background that Bruce Wayne enjoyed in previous incarnations.
Batman has some unexpected friends
(Image credit: DC)
So… that new Joker
(Image credit: DC)
The issue’s epilogue provides two tantalizing teases of things to come. We get some hints at the identity of the target that Alfred had been tracking before he was assigned to Gotham, discovering that he studied with Henri Ducard (in DC lore, one of the men who helped train Batman) before murdering him, and then did the same to the League of Assassins. The obvious money is on this being Ra’s al Ghul, but that could just be a red herring.
Absolute Batman #1 is out now from DC.
The Absolute Universe continues with Absolute Wonder Woman #1 later this month. Check outour interview with Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman.
More about dc comicsCreature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday giftDC reveals its full slate of March 2025 comics and covers featuring Batman, Superman, the Justice League, and more
More about dc comics
Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday giftDC reveals its full slate of March 2025 comics and covers featuring Batman, Superman, the Justice League, and more
Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday gift
Creature Commandos gets a season 2 as James Gunn bestows us all with a monstrous holiday gift
DC reveals its full slate of March 2025 comics and covers featuring Batman, Superman, the Justice League, and more
DC reveals its full slate of March 2025 comics and covers featuring Batman, Superman, the Justice League, and more
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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
1
Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
2
Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
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Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
1
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
2
Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
3
Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
4
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
5
Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
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1
Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
2
Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
3
Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
4
Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”
5
Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”