When we think of Batman, we think of the Batcave, his Bat-gear, his ridiculous amount of wealth, and his suave attitude as billionaire playboy Bruce Wayne. But in the new comic book series from DC, “Absolute Batman,” he has none of these things. Instead, he is a reclusive working-class engineer by day and a scrappy, brutish brawler by night.
When I first heard the announcement of this new Batman version, I was initially skeptical. The thought of making a Batman who doesn’t have his famous items or iconic tragic backstory didn’t sound like the Batman I knew growing up. However, when I read the comic book, I was deeply surprised at how interesting this fresh take on Batman’s story was.
The story begins with a young Bruce Wayne visiting the zoo with his father, Thomas Wayne, who is now a teacher instead of a rich philanthropist. When a shooter storms through and kills his father, young Wayne sets down the path that would transform him into the Dark Knight.
The story features different approaches to the world of Batman. Bruce Wayne trains in a boxing gym and is friends with several of his would-be supervillains, such as Two-Face, Killer Croc, and the Penguin. In the comic’s main fight scene, Batman fights a criminal gang at Gotham’s town hall, where it’s revealed that the iconic bat-shaped logo on his chest can be detached as a colossal ax, which he uses to take down the offenders.
What I like about this comic book is how well author Scott Synder substituted key features of Batman’s mythos with fresh ideas. His new version of the Batcave, which features no bats and no cave, is an abandoned skyscraper as a makeshift hideout.
Key figures in his life, such as his butler Alfred and his mother Martha Wayne, have drastically different roles in the story. Some of his iconic traits are present, such as his bat suit, gear, and coterie of supervillains. The combination of new and familiar elements will keep Batman fans invested in this comic book series.
Cal State LA student Paul Fasika said the comic is “one hell of a trippy ride,” and was particularly impressed with the brutal crime-fighting style of this Batman, describing it as a modern take on “The Dark Knight Returns.” He added that he hopes to see characters like Batgirl make an appearance in a later issue.
“It has the right amount of tearjerker moments to ground the comic without it being too gloomy or mellow,” he said. “Overall, it’s a very solid first impression of this new lineup so far.”
Another thing I liked is that they keep the reader invested for the next issue, as this story surprises the reader with a twist on an iconic villain. The only concern I have with this comic is that each issue only comes out once a month, which may cause fans to forget important details during the wait.
Those who love superheroes should give this comic book a look, as the story is a unique take on the Caped Crusader that will have readers hooked and invested in Gotham’s dark protector.
