Synopsis: Absolute Batman looks at a very different take on Bruce Wayne. Without the mansion…without the money…without the butler…what’s left is the Absolute Dark Knight!
The Story
A Gang wearing monkey masks called the Party Animals has been terrorizing Gotham City. Sent in to investigate is Alfred Pennyworth. His orders are to observe but not engage, but he is warned about another interested party and is ordered to terminate this party should they interfere. Of course this other party is Bruce Wayne aka The Batman. Raised by a school teacher father and social worker mother this version of Bruce Wayne hasn’t had the privileged upbringing of the one that we know and love. So he has had to do things very differently and has somewhat of a harder edge to him. Still angry over the murder of his father he has become a one-man wrecking crew as Batman.
Observing him is Alfred Pennyworth who goes against his orders and doesn’t shoot Batman, but when the two do meet. Batman comes out of their first engagement as the superior force.
The Artwork
Overall
This is a solid first issue that does a good job of setting the story up. I enjoyed the book but am curious as to how this more working-class version of Bruce Wayne has managed to fund all of his studies as well as all of the hardware that he uses. Obviously there are a few clues as to how this has worked as we get references to Oswald Cobblepot and we also meet Killer Crock who runs the gym where Bruce Works out at. Quite how Cobblepot and other well-known Batman villains will get used in this alternative story as yet remains to be seen, but it will be interesting to find out if my best guesses about them will turn out to be true.
- Covers9.5
- Story8.7
- Artwork9.6
- Lettering9.4
- Colours9.6
