DC Comics’ newest Elseworld is called Absolute Universe. It will take their big three (Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman) and change what made them heroes in comic book canon. For example, Superman and Wonder Woman aren’t raised by the people who molded them. Without the Kents and Themyscira, what kind of heroes will they be? And then there’s Batman. Not only does he not have the Wayne family wealth, but there’s no Alfred Pennyworth.
The new lives of Superman and Wonder Woman are intriguing, but Batman’s is more interesting. Unlike Superman and Wonder Woman, Bruce doesn’t have superpowers to fall back on. There's also no money to travel the world to learn how to fight back against crime or a father figure to raise him after Thomas Wayne is shot.
That’s enough to get me involved. However, if you need more convincing, keep reading.
A new take on Batman
Whether it’s Red Death, the Batman Who Laughs, or Dark Claw, comic book readers love Elseworld Batmen. It allows new takes from creators. They get to answer questions like “What if Batman was a killer?”. Absolute Batman (written by Scott Snyder) will be another Dark Knight (if he’s called that) we’ve never seen. Scott Snyder has written classic Batman stories, the series is in good hands.
Movie and TV fans became annoyed with alternate realities, but they remain popular in comics. The creative teams behind Elseworlds and What If…? comic books have continued to make new, fun, and well-received stories based on the characters we know. Maybe it's because it's always been done in comics.
How does he become Batman
Bruce Wayne sat in his million-dollar mansion asking for a sign. He needed a symbol that would strike terror in the hearts of criminals. Like a message from the gods, a bat crashes through the window of his room. He said, “I will become the bat.” It won’t happen like that in Absolute Batman.
There’s no lavish mansion, but there will likely be a sign. Scott Snyder won’t give Bruce the name Batman without a reason. Hopefully, it’s so different that no one will see it coming. Maybe it ties into why he’s built like a tank.
He’s built like a tank
Speaking of his build, Batman looks like he’s on the Gaston diet of four dozen eggs. The Dark Knight we know is built like a Greek statue carved out of marble. What happened to make him massive? Were his balanced diets replaced with nights of Oodles of Noodles, spam, and punching criminals? Did something supernatural turn him into the Batman that Lifts? Or is crime so bad that the only way to survive was to be built like Bat-Hulk?
He has an axe
Besides his size, the internet was going crazy about the new Bat Symbol on Bruce’s chest. I thought it was appropriate considering Batman’s bigger physique. Little did we know that the symbol is more than that. It comes off and turns into an axe.
This leads to a couple of questions. First, why does Batman need an axe as tall as him with a blade the width of his chest? Gotham City was always the worst place on Earth, but what made things so dangerous that the Dark Knight needed a weapon designed for cutting things?
Second, his weapon of choice suggests a new fighting style and training. The last time Bruce used something like this was during Dark Knights: Metal where he used a scythe. No matter the reason, I can't wait to see him swing it.
The Absolute Villain
Who will be Absolute Batman’s nemesis? The easy guess is Joker, but this writer thinks otherwise. When Scott Snyder started Batman: New 52, he didn’t begin with Joker. He created The Court of Owls to be Bruce Wayne’s newest villain. It would be cool to see Snyder do something like this again. If he doesn’t, the twist on the next antagonist will be…an absolute smash. No, I don't regret that pun.
DC All In Special No. 1 (written by Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson) will introduce the Absolute Universe and debut on October 2, 2024. Absolute Batman will be released on October 9, 2024. Stay tuned to Caped Crusades for more on Absolute Batman.