Absolute Batman #25 is written by Scott Snyder and published by DC Comics. Artwork is by Nick Dragotta, colours by Frank Martin and letters by Tom Napolitano. Main cover art (left) is by Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin.
Absolute Batman #25 is available from today, in comic book stores 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
All the villains. All the heroes. All the stakes. What’s left…of Absolute Batman?
Review
You know it’s about to be a game-changer of an issue when DC redacts your review copy until the 11th hour. Buckle up Bat-fans, Scott Snyder is about to put us through the wringer for yet another high stakes, emotionally charged issue of Absolute Batman which lands right before the series takes a break for the holidays.
If you follow Snyder on social media you will no doubt have seen him asking for readers not to spoil the journey this month. Having now gotten my hands on a copy I can see exactly why he made such a plea. Whilst there are key panels which will no doubt set tongues wagging, Absolute Batman #25 in its entirety has huge ramifications for the series moving forwards. Bruce is challenged mentally, physically and even existentially as Mr. Grimm’s plans come into action.
The issue opens with a brief flashback moment (seen below) as Bruce—having been working for the mob—resurfaces, seeking his friends’ forgiveness. The moment seems innocently like the next piece of the flashback puzzle but actually key to the whole approach to storytelling this month. Snyder works first to completely deconstruct Bruce’s support system, leaving him seemingly alone, only to give a glimmer of hope right in the closing moments.
The bulk of issue #25 is framed around events at Mr. Grimm’s mansion. Expectations are already high given this is our replacement for Wayne Manor. But before we visit any caves there’s bigger fish to fry. When Bruce crashes into the mansion he’s not confronted by Nick Dragotta’s monstrous Joker. Instead it’s a room full of his peers in a moment designed to reflect that opening flashback perfectly. As readers we have a little more context on just how manipulative and prepared this Joker is. But for Bruce this is a real moment of having the rug pulled out from underneath him and Snyder pitches it perfectly.
The whole sequence is dialogue-heavy and requires the reader to be fully locked in. But for those willing to ride the rollercoaster there are major rewards to be reaped. Snyder reaches back right across the book’s two-year history, pulling from everything we know about Bruce and his friends to brutally break down those friendships. There’s a duality to the moment which makes it particularly cruel. For starters Oz, Eddie, Harvey and Waylon all think they’re doing the right thing to help Bruce. Their intentions are coming from a place of love for their friend. But underneath that there’s Joker and his venomous plans.
After systematically shutting Bruce off from each of his loved ones the scene shifts to a full-on confrontation between Batman and Joker. But this being the Absolute Universe, of course it’s nothing like what we’ve come to expect from traditional prime universe stories. The fight itself is brutal and it appears this animalistic Joker has levelled-up recently as he shows off far more grotesque powers and forms than we’ve seen before. Bruce has easily met his match, making this the perfect time to fold in The Bat-aka Barbara Gordon- ready for her to take centre stage in the coming months.
Dragotta is having a blast this month and honestly, who wouldn’t be when there’s this much going on. The emotional breadth of Snyder’s story offers up plenty of opportunity for quieter, more contemplative moments and then balances those out with the savage fight between Batman and Joker. The freakish villain has never looked better or more formidable than in this issue which is perfect for setting up just how much of an unbeatable foe he is.
As Absolute Batman #25 draws to a close it briefly returns to Alfred, Harley and Selina for a agonising cliffhanger which won’t be resolved until January at the earliest. I’m not going to spoil any of it here but with his fellow orphans out of the picture it’s clear Bruce will lean on his newfound friends more. With Selina back in Gotham there’s a lot of questions left lingering for the next arc to contend with.
Verdict
Absolute Batman #25 is explosive. It shatters Bruce’s entire support system, leaving him alone and vulnerable just as he takes on his most vengeful foe yet. It’s a surprising, tense and moving issue which sets up year three of storytelling perfectly.
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