Absolute Batman #6 is written by Scott Snyder and published by DC. Artwork is by Nick Dragotta, colours by Frank Martin and letters by Clayton Cowles. Main cover art (left) is by Dragotta and Martin.
Absolute Batman #6 is available now, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your digital copy from Amazon Comixology UK right here.
Synopsis
Bruce Wayne, a young man who has built his entire life on leveling up, on becoming a bigger man than both his enemies and the obstacles that stand in his way, will have to break down the Black Mask and his gang of Party Animals.Will he be able to do this without the help of his unlikely new MI6 ally, Alfred Pennyworth? And how do his childhood friends – Edward Nygma, Waylon Jones, Harvey Dent, and Oswald Cobblepot (among others) – play a crucial role in Batman’s legacy as Gotham’s Vigilante? Absolute Batman’s first story arc, “The Zoo” concludes with this larger-than-life story, while introducing a few new elements to come in arc 2.
Review
Remember when DC’s Absolute Universe was a mere rumour. It feels like only yesterday the All In and Absolute publishing plans were being announced. But today the sixth issue of Absolute Batman, the end of the series first arc, hits comic book stores. Bringing an end to the tyranny of Black Mask over Gotham City… perhaps…
We left Bruce, Martha, Jim and basically the entire of Gotham in a precarious position at the end of issue #5. Scott Synder is wasting no time on picking up merely seconds later as we break in to issue #6. If you had forgotten this was the finale of “The Zoo” arc you’ll soon remember. The pacing of Absolute Batman #6 is precise and deadly. Snyder’s meticulous writing is at its most confident and that means we’re for a pretty wild ride. From the beginning Snyder and co-creators at DC have reminded us that Absolute storytelling is about re-birthing these legendary characters in grittier, disadvantaged situations. So what’s more gritty than seeing Batman taking matters in to his own hands as his city burns to the ground around him.
Of course it helps that Snyder has shown the hubris of Absolute Gotham thanks to the manipulation of Black Mask. Something I’ve really enjoyed about Absolute Batman is the sheer volume of life which springs from every page. Snyder and artist Nick Dragotta have worked tirelessly to make this Gotham feel alive and it shows. They’re able to capitalise on that in this finale with Black Mask empowering the people of Gotham to take up arms against their elected officials and vigilante hero.
But for all its madness on the streets Absolute Batman #6 never forget the roots of its story. This all began with a trip to the Gotham Zoo and the loss of Bruce’s father. So in a beautiful full circle moment, Snyder brings back those feeling of loss and grief but angles them towards Martha instead. We’re in the unique position of seeing a Bruce Wayne who still has a mother. But the circumstances of father’s death still weigh heavy on him. We’ve seen a little of how that informs the dynamic between Bruce and Martha but this issue digs deeper in to those feelings. It also plays heavily with audience expectation of Martha’s ultimate fate, particularly based on last month’s cliffhanger.
I’m pretty sure I’ve heaped praise on Nick Dragotta for each issue of the series so far. So why break with tradition. Absolute Batman #6 is gnarly as f*ck. Even for a series which has refused to compromise on anything from the outset. The different between this Batman and one you’re being given in the main Batman book is brutality. This is Batman unchained. Batman unfiltered. Dragotta pulls no punches but also brings two of my favourite images from this entire series to-date. One is an homage to the classic lightning cover for The Dark Knight Returns. The other? Well I’ll leave it up to you to guess. But it’s certainly an eye-watering moment in the story.
There are plenty of seeds planted across Gotham (that’s not a hint) ready for what comes next. This issue has a prologue which certainly dangles a rather large carrot in front of the reader. But at the same time Snyder clearly has one eye on how to develop Bruce and the supporting cast around him. We dip back in to his friendship group briefly in both the past and the present. This group alone is ripe for future storytelling. Particularly with the destinies each of these characters has in the prime universe. The biggest takeaway here is that there’s clear planning and preparation for the future. That level of consideration is absolutely part of why this book feels so well put together.
Verdict
Absolute Batman #6 is a blistering end to the series first arc. Snyder and Dragotta have tapped in to the most primal version of Batman’s story and I cannot think of a better way to bring “The Zoo” to a conclusion. A prime example of writer, story, artist and visuals all working in perfect harmony.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
