Absolute Batman No. 4 Review: The Absolute Year One

The mystery of how Bruce Wayne became Batman is a well-known story. Thomas and Martha Wayne were shot in Crime Alley leaving Bruce to swear an oath to avenge his parent’s deaths by spending the rest of his life waging a war against criminals. With the help of Alfred and billions of dollars, Bruce spent decades molding himself into a master detective and ruthless fighter. That’s not how it happened in the Absolute Universe. While we’ve learned some of the new origins, writer Scott Snyder appropriately called Absolute Batman No. 4 Year One.

Absolute Batman No. 4 creative team:

• Writer: Scott Snyder
• Art by: Gabriel Hernandez Walta and Nick Dragotta
• Cover: Frank Martin and Nick Dragotta
• Colorist: Frank Martin

"As a teacher, though, I could make kids feel safe by preparing them for the world."

Thomas Wayne written by Scott Snyder

Calling this issue Year One was a nod to the creative team of Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli’s masterpiece, Batman: Year One. And like that story, readers saw the beginning of Bruce Wayne’s newest journey. He made some mistakes and learned that he needed to be more than scare villains. Because, unlike the Gotham City criminals on DC Comics’ Earth-Prime, they don’t run at the sight of the Dark Knight. So he had to think and become bigger.

Snyder and guest artist Gabriel Hernandez Walta perfectly showed how Thomas Wayne influenced the decisions that made Bruce The Dark Knight. It may be blasphemous to compare this story to a Marvel Comics origin, but it was like Peter Parker talking to Uncle Ben. There was some wholesomeness to it. I half expected a version of "With great power there must also come great responsibility" to be said. Sadly, as great as this moment was, losing his father took happiness away from Bruce.

Earth-Prime’s Thomas Wayne had more compassion than you’d expect from a person born into billions of dollars. But the Absolute Universe’s version seemed happier. Maybe without the stress of wealth (more money, more problems) and being a doctor reduced his stress. He lived a normal life with his wife and son and was more than content with being a teacher because he could help prepare kids for the future.

Absolute Batman keeps getting better and most of it has nothing to do with the action. The story-telling is a ten out of ten with emotional hits each month. This was another example of that. We’re two more issues away from the conclusion of the first story “The Zoo” and there’s still a lot to learn. Especially since it ends with adult Bruce Wayne going to prison to speak to the man who killed his father, Joe Chill.

Are you still enjoying Absolute Batman? Does this new origin make sense? Let us know on the Bam Smack Pow Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter.