Absolute Batman #12 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 Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin.
Absolute Batman #12 is available from today, in print and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
Batman is at the mercy of the monstrous Bane. And though his body has seen better days, his mind and spirit are still strong. But how much longer can that withstand Bane’s brutal onslaught?
Review
If you thought there was no way Scott Snyder’s Absolute Batman could deliver another gut punch, think again. As the series reaches its first birthday Snyder is delivering a startlingly relentless issue which accelerates Bane’s systematic destruction of Bruce’s world with devastating consequences. Deep breath super friends. This one is going to hurt…
Picking up in the sewers, Bruce is staring down the heavily mutated eyes of childhood friends Waylon Jones aka Killer Croc. Snyder wastes literally no time in getting to the point. This issue is all about driving home to Bruce just how much Bane has been able to destroy everyone he loves. So whilst this tense opening scene feels like it’s building towards a fight between these old friends. What transpires is something substantially more upsetting. Snyder spins the moment on its head. Using it to simultaneously challenge Bruce whilst setting up a future confrontation.
It’s a busy issue. But this is Scott Snyder we’re talking about. He delicately handles some important flashback moments focussing on the relationship between Bruce and Selena Kyle. Whilst also picking up on Bruce re-emerging after this Ark-M experience and how it impacts on Martha, Jim and Alfred. Subsequent to that we follow Bruce as he finds out what’s been happening in his absence… oh boy…
Next Snyder lines up a series of swift shots to the gut. All of which arrive with the added impact of some of the series goriest, most body horror-inspired imagery. Up until now we’ve become accustomed to seeing Bruce allied with childhood friends who, in the prime universe, are his biggest enemies. Whilst there’s never a way to predict which direction Snyder is going to take Absolute Batman, it certainly seems the series is about to take major steps towards setting up the arrival of some of the biggest names in Bat-villainy.
Whilst Absolute Batman #12 takes a violent turn it’s not purely for the sake of striking imagery. Bane’s attacks on Ozzie, Harvey and Edward will drive plenty of conversation amongst the readership. Each having its own flavour of cruel. But it also serves the purpose of pushing this poor version of Bruce to utter breaking point. He’s been experimented on. His friends are literally willing him to take their own lives rather than live with the consequences of their injuries. Yet Bane still walks free and uninterrupted and Bruce just cannot like that continue.
Of course it all leads to what feels like a huge confrontation between Batman, Alfred and Bane. But just when you think you’ve worked out exactly what Absolute Batman #12 is setting up Snyder once again rips the carpet out from underneath you. We reach a cliffhanger which feels like it’s been a whole year in the making. After plenty of brief snippets of this particular relationship we’re finally about to get a deep dive. It’s a pretty enticing way to round out a hugely successful first year for the book. Setting up one of the most important parts of Bruce’s legacy to be explored as we start year two.
Absolute Batman has always been at its best when Nick Dragotta is on board. Really it’s the pairing of Snyder and Dragotta which has established this world. There’s also a strong correlation between each doing their best work when the other is doing the same. So with Snyder refusing to pull any punches, Dragotta is also pushing the boundaries. Those visceral moments as Bruce confronts the mangled remains of his closest friends land perfectly thanks to the horror brought to the page by Dragotta’s artwork. Nothing can prepare your for seeing Ozzie for the first time. Or witnessing the moment that half of Harvey’s skull is crushed. It’s sadistic. But in the best way possible.
Verdict
Does it get any better than this? Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta bring us another devastating, brutal, blockbuster slice of story from what might just be the most bleak version of Batman’s story we’ve ever seen.
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