Warning: Spoilers for DC All In Special #1DC’s new Absolute Universe has finally arrived, and its reimaginedBatmanjust made his explosive debut. The death of Darkseid fuels the birth of a new universe that deprives its heroes of what typically defines them, presenting a Bruce Wayne who lacks something significant that defines the original. Now that Absolute Batman is here, his story is taking Bruce in a direction unlike any other.
In the “Omega” story ofDC All In Special#1by Scott Snyder, Joshua Williamson, Wes Craig, Mike Spicer, and Steve Wands, Darkseid embarks on a quest to ascend beyond his current level by merging with the Spectre. Then, in a horrifying shift to DC lore,Darkseid ends up giving his lifefor a new cause: to create a world in his image.As Darkseid dies, the Absolute Universe is born from his energy. With this new universe comes alternate versions of beloved DC heroes, one of which is Absolute Batman.
Absolute Batman’s debut is as eye-catching as his bulky design. Craig’s dynamic artwork showcases him fighting off a mob with his upgraded cape as his weapon. The narration establishes the tone for this darker take on the Dark Knight, stating that the Absolute Universe is a world"where all their advantages are gone.“This line perfectly encapsulates what sets this version of Bruce Wayne apart from the original.
Absolute Batman Is Bruce Wayne Without His Privilege
Preview Pages forAbsolute Batman#1 by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, and Frank Martin
Batman, despite the tragedies he’s endured, is known for having many advantages in life. As wealthy Bruce Wayne, he inherits enough riches from his family to live lavishly in his civilian persona, with Wayne Manor containing every amenity he could want. His wealth is an integral part of what allows him to be an effective Batman. He has an expansive Batcave, a Batmobile,and various gadgetsthat he couldn’t afford to design without proper funding. It wouldn’t be possible for Bruce Wayne to be the Batman he is if he didn’t have these resources - though the Absolute Universe might prove otherwise.
“He Doesn’t Have to Walk a Line as Bruce”: Absolute Batman Writer Explains How New Continuity Transforms the Dark Knight
Batman’s secret identity is an essential piece of his lore. But the new ABSOLUTE BATMAN doesn’t have to juggle his identity as Bruce Wayne.
InDarkseid’s Absolute Universe, Bruce Wayne has had every advantage stripped away from him. As the narration inDC All In Special#1 emphasizes, he is"small chaos, rather than the system itself”. He’s an average working-class citizen of Gotham, meaning he no longer has his money and influence to fall back on, or even Alfred Pennyworth as his confidant.
However, although helacks the privileges of the main universe’s Bruce Wayne, the Absolute Universe’s Bruce makes up for this with his makeshiftadditions to his Batsuit’s arsenal. Absolute Batman disrupts Gotham’s criminal element using nothing but his own ingenuity and, of course, his massive fists.
The Absolute Universe Takes DC’s Heroes in a Dark Direction
Absolute Batman’s Debut Sets the Tone for This Reimagined Continuity
After losing to DC’s superheroes countless times over the years,Darkseid has resorted to creating an entirely different universe that robs them of their most valuable assets. In Batman’s case, he’s lost his riches and the usual support system that looks out for him when he wears the cowl. His first appearance reflects this right off the bat, as he fends off grunts on his own.Absolute Batman’s new backgroundproves that he has an uphill climb ahead of him, as do the rest of the underdog superheroes of the Absolute Universe.
The true test for these fledgling Absolute Universe heroes will be their ability to persevere in spite of the disadvantages that hinder them.
TheAbsolute Universe’s Trinityembodies this continuity’s darker tone through the absence of the resources they typically rely on. This universe beingpowered by Darkseid’s energyrather than Superman’s gives it a darkness that the main universe doesn’t have, yet this world is not without light. The true test for these fledgling Absolute Universe heroes will be their ability to persevere in spite of the disadvantages that hinder them. AbsoluteBatmanwill need to work twice as hard as his counterpart to make a difference as the Dark Knight, but if anyone can fight the good fight against bleak odds, it’s Bruce Wayne.
DC All In Special#1is available now from DC Comics.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
