Absolute Batman’s Fresh Spin on…

In an audacious feat of reimagining, Scott Snyder’s Absolute Batman #1 accomplishes more than rewriting Gotham’s hero mythos. His daredevil approach breathes new life into the villains that roam the shadowy streets of Gotham in DC Comics’ Absolute Universe.

A hallmark change in Snyder’s Gotham is the Wayne family’s shift from aristocracy to working class. The senior Wayne trades his doctor’s gown for a teacher’s chalkboard. Consequently, a young Bruce Wayne gives up the luxury of private education. He’s thrust into the public school system. The tendency for Batman to tone his muscles in a high-tech bat cave? Substituted with heavy lifting in a local gym. It’s here we find out that Bruce’s childhood friends are his classic adversaries.

Among the cohorts in Bruce’s old photograph are iconic villains: Harvey Dent, Oswald Cobblepot, Waylon Jones (known as Killer Croc), Selina Kyle, and Edward Nygma. However, Killer Croc’s adult version is a rare sighting. His ambition extends further than running a local gym, with his sights on an unusual business – an exotic pet shop specializing in reptiles.

Gotham’s Flipping a Coin

Waylon discloses to Bruce some operations behind his budding business venture. Their acquaintance, Ozzie, secured his commercial license and even put up some capital. Evidently, Penguin’s reputation as a shady entrepreneur persists even in the Absolute Universe. Casual banter drops another clue. Bruce is absent from regular poker games with “Eddie, Harvey (and) Oz”.

As Absolute Batman begins, one classic villain retains his traditional role. That’s Black Mask, acknowledged as the Party Animals gang’s captain. Fueled by a mask obsession, he hoards death masks. His collection includes masks made for his enemies – the mob heads Carmine Falcone and Sal Maroni, who meet an untimely fate during a rendezvous with Black Mask.

The Joker’s Fatal Irony

In a shocking finale, Snyder introduces a character with a smirk-inducing alias: The Joker. Ironically, this man is notorious for his humorless demeanor. The Joker, in this universe, is a wealthy recluse with a mysterious past. He’s been in the persistent crosshairs of Alfred Pennyworth.

This iteration of the Joker eerily mirrors Bruce Wayne’s upper-class background. With his vast wealth, he travels the globe, studying under master trainers. Finished with their knowledge, he murders them. One can’t help but suspect that his eventual destination will be Gotham, where Absolute Batman awaits him.

The riveting narrative that Absolute Batman #1 has spun leaves lasting impressions. Now available in comic shops, readers can immerse themselves in this tantalizing rewrite. Join hands with August Tales and navigate this new world where Gotham’s known past collides with a daring present.