Absolute Batman: Everything We Know So Far

What is the Absolute Universe?

After the thrilling events of DC’s All In Special, the Absolute Universe was born out of a cosmic-level gambit by Darkseid. Using all the power he could muster from his fusion with Spectre, Darkseid manages to create an entire universe fueled by his energy. The result is a version of the DC universe where the world’s most famous superheroes are stripped of essential facets of their characters, leaving only that absolute foundation of what makes them super. For Superman, he no longer has his connection with the Kent family. Batman, on the other hand, is no longer the billionaire-philanthropist-playboy the world knows and loves. 

So without the money and status, what does that mean for Bruce Wayne’s identity as Gotham City’s Dark Knight? That, and many more questions, are answered in the pages of Absolute Batman #1. 

Who is this new Bruce Wayne?

Image: DC Comics

Absolute Batman is a unit rivaling Bane, to say the least. With his massive frame, gigantic logo, and a wide arsenal of weapons and gadgets at his disposal, everything about this new Batman is larger than life. But what’s smaller in the Absolute Universe is Bruce Wayne’s bank account. Instead of being the billionaire playboy he's always been known for, this Bruce Wayne is a blue-collar worker with an immense chip on his shoulder. Here’s what we know so far about Absolute Batman’s origins:

• He comes from a middle-class family, with a father who was a school teacher, and a mother who is a social worker. 
• He grew up around Crime Alley alongside many familiar faces.
• He’s worked many blue-collar jobs throughout Gotham, which introduced him to the inner workings of the city. 
• He currently works as an engineer, helping build many of the skyscrapers of Gotham.

But even with all the money stripped away from him, this is still a Batman who seeks out justice for his city. 

Alfred’s Role in the Story

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Bruce Wayne is not the only one who went through a drastic makeover. In the case of Alfred Pennyworth, he’s no longer just an ordinary butler, but a secret agent for MI6. After traveling the world hunting down an international criminal, Alfred is stationed in Gotham to follow a new lead. It’s on that mission that he crosses paths with Batman for the first time, and he finds himself fascinated by the warrior he sees on the streets of Gotham. 

With their backgrounds and origins drastically altered, so does their dynamic. Absolute Batman will delve into Alfred taking on a much more hands-on mentor approach with Bruce, shaping that raw, uncaged energy into something more refined and heroic. Snyder has said that Alfred is the heart of this new story, so seeing his relationship with Bruce develop throughout the story will be one of the more exciting aspects of it. 

The Villains: Friends or Foes

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This is where things get really interesting in the Absolute Universe. Because Bruce was basically raised in Crime Alley, he has a much deeper bond now with many names we’re familiar with. In Bruce’s chat with Waylon Jones, aka Killer Croc, there are hints about characters like Penguin, Catwoman, and others. But instead of being the rogues gallery we all know and love, these characters in the Absolute Universe are more friends than foes. While it’s yet to be seen if they’ll still become the villains we know, it makes for an intriguing twist on characters we’ll see throughout Gotham City. It adds another layer of just how different the Absolute Universe is from DC’s prime universe. 

Who is Terrorizing Gotham City?

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With the usual villains playing very different roles in the Absolute Universe, it leaves the floor open for new baddies to hit the streets of Gotham City. Enter The Party Animals, a group of masked thugs who love causing mayhem and intense violence. Led by who seems to be the Absolute Universe’s version of Black Mask, the Party Animals are all about inciting chaos unlike anything the city has seen before. The problem for them is that The Dark Knight himself is equally chaotic, if not more so. As it stands, The Party Animals are only just the tip of the iceberg in Gotham City. With the story just beginning, you can expect even more nefarious villains to start revealing themselves as we get deeper into the exciting new series.