“Absolute Batman” is what happened when a group of boys were asked to take Batman’s edge to the max. After a couple rounds of Mountain Dew, they landed on an idea, fist-bumped, and said, “Hell yeah.”
And yet, despite FOUR things that make this Batman cooler than ever, there’s still ONE hiccup that’s hard to ignore.
‘Absolute Power’ Explained
This new DC Comics continuity shakes up the Justice League entirely. Heroes are grittier, grounded in harsher realities, and far from their traditional selves.
Absolute Superman arrives as an adult, skipping the childhood-on-Earth storyline. Absolute Wonder Woman grew up in hell, not Themyscira. Absolute Martian Manhunter is no longer a Martian but a multidimensional being who possesses an FBI agent. And the standout in this universe? Absolute Batman.
#1 Batman Is Not a Billionaire
For nearly a century, Batman has shown us you don’t need superpowers to be a hero. Now he’s proving you don’t need cash, either. In this version, he’s not the wealthy heir of Wayne Enterprises but a blue-collar guy—a city engineer.
This is a Batman without Alfred’s sage advice or Lucius Fox’s tech support. He’s making do without the inherited wealth, high-tech gadgets, and even the Batcave. And yet, he’s still Batman.
#2 Brutal Weapons
What’s scarier than a bat swooping down from above? One crawling up to you. Batman’s cape here isn’t just for dramatic effect; it mimics a bat’s crawl and doubles as a whip or tendril he can use to grab and throw people.
The “bat ears”? Knives. The huge bat emblem? Now a blade for his new weapon of choice—an axe. And while he’s still sticking to the no-kill rule, he’s totally fine with taking a limb.
#3 Stolen Vehicles
In a gritty twist, one of Absolute Batman’s first vehicles is a stolen one—taken from none other than Alfred Pennyworth, who in this universe is a bounty hunter. In a battle between the two, Batman snags Alfred’s bike and his shotgun, which he modifies into a non-lethal version. (Yes, he even shoots Alfred with it.)
#4 Joker is the Billionaire
Role reversal time: Joker is the billionaire while Batman is strapped for cash, adding a fascinating twist to their rivalry. In this universe, Joker is deadly serious and never laughs, which gives off a Daredevil-Kingpin vibe.
#5 He Still Has His Mom
Batman’s father may be gone, but his mom is still around. And fans find it endearing that after a long night of brutal crime-fighting, he’s still his mom’s good boy.
Just One Teeny Flaw
As cool as this reimagining is, the Bruce Wayne of Absolute Batman somehow achieved insane levels of skill by 24, even without the wealth or resources. He’s mastered martial arts, mechanics, chemistry, criminal psychology, and more—all while managing a tough, blue-collar job. Plus, he’s been in and out of jail as a teen.
How did he manage to bulk up, train, and study all this without a major time or money advantage? That gap in the story undercuts the whole “no resources” angle. Batman is supposed to be scrappier and more flawed here, and a little less superhuman would have made him feel even more brutal.
Conclusion
Absolute Batman is a bold reimagining with a lot to admire—yet the idea would be even stronger if his path to becoming a formidable vigilante wasn’t quite so miraculous.
