We've Met Absolute Batman, but What About Absolute Joker?

Absolute Batman stands out as one of DC's most significant comic book launches in recent years. The series kicked off with the first issue becoming the best-selling comic of 2024, and it has continued to dominate sales charts, a testament to the enthusiastic reception of this bold and often surprising reinvention of the Dark Knight.

Following the conclusion of the first story arc, "The Zoo," creators Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta shared insights with IGN about how Absolute Batman redefines the traditional Batman mythos. Dive into the details on the design of the impressively muscular Batman, the impact of having a mother on Bruce Wayne's life, and what's next with the emergence of Absolute Joker.

Warning: Full spoilers for Absolute Batman #6 are included below!

Absolute Batman #6 Preview Gallery

11 ImagesDesigning Absolute Batman

The Batman of the Absolute Universe is a formidable presence, characterized by his bulging muscles, shoulder spikes, and numerous enhancements to the classic Batsuit. His design earned him a spot among the 10 greatest Batman costumes of all time. Snyder and Dragotta discussed how they crafted this imposing version of the Dark Knight, focusing on a Batman without the wealth and resources of his traditional counterpart.

"Scott's vision was to go big," Dragotta explained to IGN. "He wanted this to be the largest Batman we've ever seen. I started drawing him big, but Scott pushed for even more size, almost to Hulk-like proportions."

Dragotta elaborated, "The design was driven by the need to make him bold and iconic, reflecting who he is as a character. Every aspect of his suit, from the emblem to the utility belt, is a weapon, emphasizing his sheer physical presence over financial power."

For Snyder, making Batman larger than life was essential. "In the classic stories, Batman's wealth is his superpower. Without that, this Batman needs to rely on his physical presence to intimidate Gotham's criminals," he said. "His size and the utility of his suit become his tools to assert dominance and challenge those who think they're untouchable."

The influence of Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns is evident in Absolute Batman, particularly in a splash page from issue #6 that pays homage to Miller's iconic (and surprisingly divisive) Dark Knight Returns cover. Dragotta acknowledged this influence, noting, "Miller and Mazzucchelli's storytelling in Batman: Year One was a huge inspiration. It felt right to give a nod to their work."

Giving Batman a Family

Absolute Batman reimagines many elements of the Dark Knight's mythology, with a significant change being the presence of Bruce Wayne's living mother, Martha. This alteration transforms Batman from a solitary figure into someone with much to lose.

"Including Martha was a major decision," Snyder said. "We chose her over Thomas because their relationship has been explored less. Her presence adds a moral compass to the story and a vulnerability to Bruce, as she's a potential target in the world."

Another key change introduced in issue #1 is Bruce's childhood friendship with characters like Waylon Jones, Oswald Cobblepot, Harvey Dent, Edward Nygma, and Selina Kyle, who are traditionally his adversaries. Snyder hinted at upcoming issues exploring how these relationships shaped Bruce's journey to becoming Batman.

"Without global training, Bruce learned from these friends," Snyder explained. "Oswald taught him the underworld, Waylon taught him to fight, Edward provided logic and detection skills, Harvey taught him city politics, and Selina's influence will be revealed soon. These relationships are the heart of the book."

In "The Zoo," Absolute Batman starts making his mark as new supervillains emerge. The focus is on Roman Sionis, aka Black Mask, leader of the nihilistic Party Animals gang. Snyder and Dragotta considered creating a new villain but chose to revamp Black Mask to fit the story's themes.

"Black Mask's aesthetic fit our narrative of nihilism and decay," Snyder said. "We treated him like a creator-owned character, staying true to his essence as a crime boss but making him fresh and unique."

The climax of their confrontation in issue #6 sees Batman storming Sionis' yacht, delivering a brutal beatdown while asserting his significance. Despite not killing Sionis, Batman leaves him severely injured, highlighting his underdog status in the Absolute Universe.

"Those lines weren't initially planned, but they encapsulate our Batman's spirit," Snyder remarked. "He uses the world's cynicism as fuel to prove he can make a difference."

The Threat of Absolute Joker

Joker, Batman's antithesis, looms large in the series. Introduced in issue #1, Absolute Joker embodies wealth and global training, contrasting sharply with Batman's lack thereof. As "The Zoo" concludes, Joker appears wrapped in a cocoon of dead babies, ordering Bane to deal with Batman.

"In this inverted system, Batman disrupts, while Joker represents the established order," Snyder explained. "Joker is already terrifying before meeting Batman, and their relationship will evolve throughout the series."

Dragotta added, "Joker has a master plan. The clues we've planted hint at his power and influence. His storyline will unfold soon."

Issues #7 and #8 will feature a detour with artist Marcos Martin introducing Mr. Freeze to the Absolute Universe. Snyder expressed excitement about this arc, emphasizing Martin's focus on the emotional core of the story.

"Mr. Freeze mirrors Bruce's struggles in a dark way," Snyder said. "We're taking a twisted approach to him, fitting our universe's darker tone."

Issue #6 also teases a confrontation with Bane, who will be an imposing figure. "Bane is really big," Snyder confirmed. "We wanted him to make Bruce look smaller by comparison."

Looking ahead, the Absolute line, which includes Absolute Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman, will expand in 2025 with titles like Absolute Flash, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter. Snyder hinted at future interactions among these characters, saying, "You'll see how they begin to affect each other, starting in 2025."

Absolute Batman #6 is available in stores now. You can preorder the Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo HC on Amazon.