ComicsDc ComicsBatmanAbsolute Batman #3 teases a new origin for the Riddler and delves into Bruce and Selina’s childhoodsWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
ComicsDc ComicsBatmanAbsolute Batman #3 teases a new origin for the Riddler and delves into Bruce and Selina’s childhoodsWhen 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)
The latest issue of Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’sAbsolute Batmanis in comic stores now. It’s another blockbuster issue, one that crams in a thrilling chase scene, big developments in Bruce’s crusade against the Party Animals, and some disturbing hints about the true nature of the mayoral race in Gotham City. But, perhaps most intriguingly, it also includes some intriguing tweaks to the back stories of the Absolute Universe versions of Catwoman and the Riddler.
(Image credit: DC)
Spoilers for Absolute Batman #3
(Image credit: DC)
We then get a flashback to the young Bruce and Selina as children. In the Absolute Universe Bruce Wayne and many of the key members of Batman’s rogues' gallery grew up together and in this issue, in a sweet moment that calls back to the regular Batman’s origin story, we see them all go to see a screening of Zorro with Martha Wayne. Before that, however, we learn that Selina is an orphan who has run away from another adoptive home. Bruce suggests that she comes and lives with the Wayne family, but she resists.
Catwoman has had numerous different origins over the decades, but this one positions her as perhaps the key influence in young Bruce Wayne’s life. She helps him confront (if not quite conquer) his fear of heights and is clearly a close confidant. What she’s doing in the present day aside from traveling, however, remains a bit of a mystery and one that this issue doesn’t solve.
(Image credit: DC)
Back in the present Bruce goes to see another friend, Eddie Nygma, to try and find out more about the skull mask that he has retrieved. This version of Edward Nygma is clearly a genius, but isn’t showing any villainous inclinations. Slightly worryingly, however, he has constructed an android counterpart (When Bruce asks if he has a name, Eddie replies “I was thinking ‘Al,’ after Alan Turing, the Library of Alexandria and as a visual play on A.I. of course. But now I’m thinking something with Riddles? Riddle-Man?"). What with Failsafe over in the All In universe, Batman has a spotty track record with artificial intelligences, and I can’t say that I don’t trust this one not to go evil in the near future.
I’ve gotta say, I love the way that Snyder and Dragotta are handling Eddie, along with Ozzie, Harvey, and Waylon as adults. Seeing these maybe-villains in a more sympathetic light is turning into one of the most intriguing and affecting parts of this comic. Eddie, particularly, shares a tender moment with Bruce here, telling him how much their friendship means to him.
(Image credit: DC)
Elsewhere, we get some more insights into what’s going on behind the scenes of Gotham’s mayoral race – and it’s not pretty. Martha Wayne intends to run as Jim Gordon’s deputy, much to Bruce’s dismay. He’s concerned that it will put her in the firing line of the Party Animals and those worries turn out to be justified when it’s revealed that Gordon’s opponent Hamilton Hill is working closely with Black Mask. The latter, incidentally, is using the Absolute Universe version of Bibbo Bibowski first as a sparring partner and then as a quite literal punching bag.
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The issue’s biggest shock, however comes right at the end, with a seemingly beaten Bruce agreeing to take the deal and meet with Black Mask. Still, this is Batman we’re talking about. Something tells me this is not going to go the way that Sionis thinks…
Absolute Batman #3 is available from DC now.
Check out interviews with the creative teams ofAbsolute Wonder WomanandAbsolute Superman.
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GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS
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”
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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”
1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”
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”