The Absolute Universe is constructed on the premise that evil is the controlling pressure of the universe. The principle DC Universe revolves round Superman’s countless hope, guiding it in the direction of a greater tomorrow, however the Absolute Universe has been corrupted by Darkseid, pointing it in the direction of tyranny. In apply, because of this the established order that each one the heroes have loved for many years, the place they’re those who at all times win and save the day, couldn’t be farther from the reality. Heroes nonetheless exist, however they’re small rebellions who’re combating in corrupt techniques. Much more than that, the heroes have all misplaced one thing that when helped outline them. Superman misplaced the Kents, Surprise Girl misplaced Themyscira, and Batman misplaced his countless sources and childhood with Alfred. The Absolute Darkish Knight is a younger man raging in opposition to a machine a lot bigger than he may probably think about, however he’s nonetheless very a lot Batman. No concern captures that in addition to Absolute Batman #24.
For the whole lot of “The Straw Man” arc, Batman has battled the Robins, Scarecrow, and the Joker. Nevertheless, his largest menace hasn’t been bodily, however psychological. The Absolute Darkish Knight has confronted terrors, grief, and revelations so horrible that they’ve left him a damaged mess, however, like all nice Batman tales, he should rise from the ashes, reforged. Batman has at all times been a person who faces darkness and ache, however as a substitute of breaking, he embraces them, turning into one thing better by turning his ache into dedication. This concern exemplifies that facet of his character, displaying everybody how Batman rises above adversity. What brings it from good to nice, nonetheless, is the way it completely ties 4 separate character arcs collectively right into a implausible show that reveals us simply what comedian e-book storytelling is able to. It’s a real delight that pushes the boundaries to mix a basic Batman story with the immediately iconic and new fashion that’s fully Absolute.
Score: 5 out of 5
| Execs | Cons |
| The end result of a number of character arcs that play collectively completely. | |
| A lovely understanding of who Batman is and what he stands for. | |
| The densest artwork on the shelf that works completely with the script. |
Heroes Who Flip Concern Into Drive
The whole lot of “The Straw Man” arc has been about breaking Batman. Joker and Scarecrow have constructed a story that was purported to drive Batman insane and break his spirit, and final concern proved that it had. He wished to hold up the cowl and quit on every thing, however his mom gave Bruce a option to both run away, as she had, or face his fears and rise. On the similar time, Barbara Gordon was guided to Batman’s base, with the promise of her probability to battle ready for her, Alfred confronted his bosses, who demanded he return to work instantly, and we noticed how Bruce pulled himself out of the outlet his work with Falcone left him in and determined to turn out to be Batman. These 4 character arcs every construct and explode in what I can solely name a implausible sequence, highlighted in opposition to a few of the finest Batman motion a fan may ask for. The best way each arc resolves collectively, united across the theme of overcoming worry to create one thing higher, had me screaming in my seat.
Past the unbelievable character work, this story can be a love letter to every thing Batman is. This sequence understands the Darkish Knight to a tee, and it reveals that by way of how he battles the very worry that solid him and rises above it. Batman creates one thing highly effective and awe-inspiring from the ashes of a kid’s damaged coronary heart, and this concern not solely reveals how he does that, however how that drive evokes others, from Alfred to Barbara. Batman is a logo meaning a lot to so many, actual and fictional. Talking of how a lot Batman means to actual folks, this concern is one thing that each fan of Batman will love due to how completely it reimagines his most iconic origin. Right here, a bat as soon as once more brings Bruce out of the darkish and teaches him to turn out to be a bat, which is a promise he makes to his mom, as a substitute of his father. It’s an ideal scene that breathes new life right into a basic scene with out shedding its coronary heart. If something, it builds on what got here earlier than. That is precisely what the Absolute Universe is all about.
Dense, Punchy, Stunning Artwork
Nick Dragotta is on a really generational run. His character designs for this sequence have been unbelievable, however Scarecrow is making a case for being the perfect one but. Each single time he’s on panel is disturbing on a basic degree. He’s simply regular sufficient to look fully human, however his button eyes and stitched mouth make my pores and skin crawl each time. Seeing him in full motion is simply as scary, along with his motion having a quickness to it that feels simply as misplaced as every thing else about him. The views on show add to that uncanniness and the power of movement. The motion right here has at all times been good, however the totally different angles give the motion such a singular move. It makes full use of Batman’s huge bulk, displaying him as an enormous wall when Scarecrow is caught off guard, and curled up like a smaller man when Scarecrow is in management. All the pieces works collectively to construct one thing great.
Nevertheless, the best showcase of ability right here must be the paneling. The overwhelming majority of pages on this concern are stacked with panels upon panels, to a level that needs to be overwhelming however isn’t. The common comedian web page has someplace between 4 and 6 panels, however the pages right here include upwards of sixteen, creating this heavy, thick environment that’s genuinely imposing. The stronger the stress, the extra Scarecrow is in management, the extra panels there are, however when Batman lastly overcomes his worry, they open to huge full-page spreads that permit us sit within the singular pictures of Batman and the Bat coming into their very own. The picture of Batman strolling away from Scarecrow feels just like the sky itself is opening up, giving us a transparent view of the comedian, and Bruce a transparent view of his world, for the primary time since this arc started. It’s visible storytelling in one of the best ways attainable.
What do you consider this new tackle such iconic Batman moments, and the way the story handles his character? Personally, I really like this model of Bruce and can’t wait to see the climactic finale to this arc within the landmark subsequent concern.
Absolute Batman #25 is on sale now!