Absolute Batman #8 is written by Scott Snyder and published by DC. Artwork is by Marcos Martin, colours by Muntsa Vincente and letters by Clayton Cowles. Main cover art (left) is by Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin.
Absolute Batman #8 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
Batman is in the fight for his life against this icy new threat. But in the end, what terrifying truth will be unearthed about Ark M and…Joker?
Review
The weather might be scorching outside in the UK right now. But in comic book stores things are getting chilly as Absolute Batman returns with the second part of its Mr. Freeze arc. Scott Snyder and guest artist Marcos Martin continue to explore a much darker interpretation of the classic villain whilst exploring more of Bruce Wayne’s history.
Picking up right where we left off in issue #7, Bruce has been overpowered by the grotesque Victor Fries. He finds himself strung up in the same device which plenty of Gotham’s wealthy has seen fit to step in to in order to extend their lives. Issue #8 switches between Bruce (and Batman) confronting Freeze and Bruce’s conflict with his childhood friends as they question his decisions as the Dark Knight.
Snyder quickly transitions Absolute Batman from last month’s investigation to escape and capture. It rounds out the two-part story neatly and brings a swift and satisfying conclusion to this chapter. But also continues the thread of exploring Bruce’s emotional state and the aftereffects of his childhood trauma which continue to shape both who he is and how he fights crime.
Absolute Batman has built a solid foundation on dramatic action paralleled by meaningful and significant character development. Issue #8 is exemplary of both of these aspects. Snyder thrills by throwing decent challenges at artist Marcos Martin as the battle of wits between Batman and Freeze escalates in to a near zombie apocalypse. Meanwhile he continues to fascinate by somehow finding new ways to explore Batman’s psyche. What blows my mind each month is that simple changes like having Martha still alive have somehow still made Absolute Batman a resoundingly unique and engaging take on the character. I’ve been reading Batman for over three-decades and yet each issue of this series still feels like new territory. That alone deserves a huge round of applause.
If the Black Mask arc taught us anything then it taught us that the citizens of Gotham are crying out for hope and purpose. Seeing the working classes take to the streets causing mob war was just a glimpse in to how broken this city is. Snyder continues to make this version of Gotham feel alive by now touching on what the rich are doing with their money. They’re wasting it on zany schemes like freezing their bodies. Snyder is tactfully world building in the background behind Batman and I’m here for it. It feels like Gotham itself is a much more important character than any of us may realise at this point.
Of course it’s not all psychology and pseudo-science-fiction. Snyder builds to a brilliant crescendo in both the present day and flashback fight sequences. Bruce finds himself overwhelmed in both situations in very different ways. With both leading him to points of resolution in the story. There’s an interesting choice made in completing the Mr. Freeze story which is much more open-ended than Black Mask. Synder continues to show the versatility of storytelling which allows the Absolute world to continue to develop organically. There’s also a great little tease for what comes next, bringing us one-step closer to meeting the Absolute Joker.
Marcos Martin rounds out their guest stint with another really solid issue. Snyder’s story calls from a lot of characters on the page in multiple panels and yet the book never feels crowded. The use of silhouetted figures in the flashback helps subtly communicate to the reader than we’re in a different setup to the present day. But it also adds a new dynamic those events which puts the emphasis on the dialogue over the action itself. Whilst the hordes of creepy frozen zombie people just look so cool on the page. It’s the kind of setup which some editors may find themselves questioning. But when you have Snyder penning the script and an artist like Martin bringing it to life then its a solid no-brainer.
Verdict
Absolute Batman continues to be at the top of its game again this month. Scott Snyder steers the Mr. Freeze story to a suitably epic conclusion which forces Marcos Martin to draw some of the books wildest imagery to date. It’s a book which is as emotional as it is action-packed. Setting up the next chapter whilst always keeping one eye on its characters and their development.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
