With this issue, Scott Snyder wraps up the first arc of his wildly popular Absolute Batman series. DC has to be happy with how the entire Absolute line has turned out, but this title has particularly dominated the sales charts since it debuted. At first glance, it’d be easy to write it off as a spectacle-over-substance: “What if we made Batman bigger and louder?” Elseworld, and on some levels, that’s not totally inaccurate. He’s certainly bigger (Bane’s not breaking this guy’s back any time soon), and the series has absolutely embraced an in-your-face, over-the-top, explosive style, often to the point of absurdity. However, what makes it stand out is how Snyder clearly understands Batman fundamentally.
The last issue left off was Black Mask’s sending crates of masks to the people of Gotham, offering them money if they wreak havoc across the city. It’s an act that plays off of the hopeless despair of normal people, pushing them into violence out of desperation. The social systems have failed them, and this presents an opportunity “to get something for [themselves] before it all goes to Hell”. Ultimately, it’s a declaration of nihilism. Nothing matters and there’s no point in trying to do anything to fix it because all hope is lost. You might as well grab what you can from the ashes.
Random violence and a disregard for the sanctity of life act as the distillation of everything Batman fights against, and this issue reminds you why. While only his father died in this universe, that almost makes Bruce even more obsessed with his mission. Protecting the innocent from what happened to him isn’t just an abstract idea; he’s terrified of losing his mother to the same sort of violence that killed his father. He still has nightmares about it, and with good reason. As the deputy mayor, Black Mask put a bounty of $1,000,000 on her head to all the roving gangs of newly armed thugs.
With all that in mind, Batman is pushed to his breaking point. He sets aside his secret identity to get help from his friends (a development I’m very interested to see develop later on) to take the fight to Black Mask. His assault is filled with a righteous fury, and he abandons all restraint and launches himself at Black Mask’s boat.
This is also where Nick Dragotta once again demonstrates why he was chosen for the book. There are fewer big action sequences in this issue than in some of the previous entries, but what’s present still effectively portrays Batman as an unrelenting, unstoppable force. From the beautiful homage to Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns splash page to the intense battle with Black Mask, the whole sequence doesn’t let up. He and Snyder make a wonderful team.
The intensity doesn’t mean that there aren’t also moments of levity. As I’ve said before, Scott Snyder is very aware of how ridiculous his Batman is, with his tree trunk quads and battle axe chest logo. That absurdity is often used for comedy, and here is no exception. Among all the adrenaline and rampaging, taking the time to have some overconfident henchman try their luck against Batman only to get tossed aside (and, in one instance, literally punted) can’t help but make you laugh.
Finally, as Batman thrashes Black Mask, the panels cut back and forth to a flashback with his mom as to why he does any of this. That’s when everything is tied together with the story’s defining message. No matter how bad things get, no matter what sorts of terrible people stand in your way, you never give up hope. Pain is not something to accept in defeat but to be worn like a cape and become a source of inspiration for yourself and those around you. It is the antithesis of nihilism. So long as you can keep fighting, you are indomitable. Those who spread or accept cynical despair cannot stop the heroes who will stand up for what’s right.
Recommended If
- You’ve enjoyed the high-octane action and storytelling of the series so far
- Nick Dragotta’s art is spectacular as always
- You’re looking for a Batman comic that really “gets” the character, even in exaggerated form
Overall
Even in this series, where everything is taken to the ridiculous extreme, Scott Snyder lets the character’s core shine through in a brilliant testament to what Batman is about. It can take many forms, and regardless of whether it’s in a contemplative detective mystery or something as action-packed as this, what matters is that Batman will never stop caring for those around him and will fight like Hell to protect his city. Past all the muscle and metal, Absolute Batman is a heart-filled story.
Score: 9/10
