Absolute Batman (2024): Snyder and Dragotta's Reinvention of the Dark Knight
Absolute Batman (2024): Snyder and Dragotta's Reinvention of the Dark Knight
No mansion, no money, no butler. We read through the series that rebuilt Batman from the ground up and mapped out the issues worth knowing.
Take away the Batcave, the fortune and the loyal butler. What is left of Batman? That is the question Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta set out to answer when Absolute Batman arrived in autumn 2024, and it has turned into one of the most talked-about superhero books of this decade.
We have a good run of recent issues on the shelves at Siomic Comics, and plenty of us have been reading them as they land. So here is our guide to the series: what changed, who is involved, how it ties into Absolute Wonder Woman, and the issues collectors keep asking about.
Absolute Batman at a glance
- Publisher: DC Comics, as part of the Absolute Universe
- First issue: Absolute Batman #1, cover-dated December 2024
- Writer: Scott Snyder
- Main artist and cover artist: Nick Dragotta
- Colourist: Frank Martin
- Guest artists: Gabriel Hernández Walta, Marcos Martín, Clay Mann, Jock, Eric Canete, Werther Dell'Edera, Cliff Chiang
- Key new characters: Absolute Black Mask, Absolute Bane, Absolute Joker, Absolute Catwoman, Absolute Poison Ivy, the Robins
- Companion title: Absolute Wonder Woman
A different Batman, on purpose
The Absolute Universe is a separate continuity from the main DC Universe, overseen by Scott Snyder as part of DC's All In push. Its rule is simple: keep what makes each hero tick, then strip away the comforts. In this world Bruce Wayne is not a billionaire. He is a working civil engineer, strong and stubborn, who builds the Batman suit and tools himself. Absolute Batman #1 (December 2024) is where we meet him, and it is also the first appearance of Absolute Black Mask and Waylon Jones.
That one change shapes everything. Without money, Bruce has to rely on his hands, his brain and his friends, and the book leans into how physical and improvised the whole thing is.
The creators
Scott Snyder
The writer. Snyder's earlier Batman run with artist Greg Capullo introduced the Court of Owls and is a modern classic, so a lot of readers came to this series with high expectations.
Nick Dragotta
Artist on most issues and cover artist throughout. His chunky, kinetic style is a big reason the book looks so unlike other Batman comics. Many will know him from East of West.
Frank Martin
The colourist on large stretches of the run, who gives Gotham its grimy, saturated look.
The guest artists
Gabriel Hernández Walta, Marcos Martín, Clay Mann, Jock, Eric Canete, Werther Dell'Edera and Cliff Chiang all take turns on single issues or short arcs.
The story so far, arc by arc
| Issues | What happens | Why it stands out |
|---|---|---|
| #1–6 | Bruce, Alfred and the gang run up against Black Mask and his Party Animals | The origin of this version of Batman and the first appearances of the cast |
| #7–8 (Absolute Zero) | The Joker and Mr. Freeze make their Absolute debuts; art by Marcos Martín | Introduces the Ark M connection that ties much of the series together |
| #9–14 | Bruce is trapped in Ark M; Bane is revealed; Catwoman debuts in #13 | One of the toughest, most brutal storylines so far |
| #15 | The Joker's story, with art by Jock | Snyder reunites with an old collaborator |
| #16 | Bat Out of Hell: Batman goes looking for help for Waylon, with Wonder Woman | The crossover with Absolute Wonder Woman |
| #17–25 | Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, the Robins, Harley Quinn's origin, Batman vs. Batman | A run of big reveals and the series' 25th issue |
Ark M and the villains
Gotham in this series has a rogues gallery, but its scariest thing may be a place: Ark M, a facility that is supposed to help society's lost and broken but has played a big part in making monsters. Mr. Freeze's backstory runs through it in #7 and #8, Bane is revealed there from #10, and Poison Ivy in #17 and Scarecrow in #19 both emerge from it. If you want to understand the series, start with the building.
The Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman crossover
Fans asked for it and they got it. Absolute Wonder Woman #15 (February 2026) is the first meeting of the two heroes, and the story continues in Absolute Batman #16 (March 2026), Bat Out of Hell, as Bruce searches for a cure for Waylon Jones. If you are collecting one title, it is worth picking up the other for these issues.
Key issues and firsts
| Issue | Cover date | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | December 2024 | Premiere issue; origin and first full appearance of Absolute Batman; first appearances of Absolute Black Mask and Waylon Jones |
| #4 | March 2025 | Flashback to Bruce's childhood, with Thomas Wayne and Selina Kyle; guest art by Gabriel Hernández Walta |
| #7 | June 2025 | Absolute Joker and Mr. Freeze debut; start of Absolute Zero |
| #10–11 | September–October 2025 | Bane revealed, followed by his origin |
| #13 | December 2025 | Absolute Catwoman debuts |
| #15 | February 2026 | The Joker's story, with art by Jock |
| #16 | March 2026 | Bat Out of Hell, the crossover with Absolute Wonder Woman |
| #17 | April 2026 | Absolute Poison Ivy |
| #22 | September 2026 | Harley Quinn's origin |
| #24 | November 2026 | Absolute Bat enters the story |
| #25 | December 2026 | Anniversary issue |
Curiosities collectors should know
A big launch
Absolute Batman #1 was reported as DC's best-selling comic of 2024, and the first issue is one of the most talked-about modern key issues.
Dragotta on every cover
Nick Dragotta provides the main cover for every issue, even when a guest artist draws the story inside.
Many variants
The series is known for a long list of variant covers, which is why you will see multiple versions of the same issue number in the shop.
A new Gotham cast
Most of the supporting characters are re-imagined, from Alfred to Barbara Gordon and Selina Kyle.
Short guest runs
The art team rotates often, so the look of the book changes from arc to arc.
A larger line
Absolute Batman is one of the three books that launched the Absolute Universe, alongside Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman.
Beyond the page
An animated series based on Absolute Batman has been announced, and the Absolute look has already started to show up in other places. For now, though, the comics are the place to see this Batman. Fans of the Court of Owls era will enjoy the way the series plays with Gotham's secret history, and readers who like their heroes rough around the edges will find a lot to like here.
Where to start reading Absolute Batman
- #1 for the origin and the first cast.
- #7 and #8 for Absolute Zero and the introduction of Ark M's wider story.
- #10 to #14 for the Bane storyline and Catwoman's debut.
- #15 and #16 if you want the Joker and the Wonder Woman crossover.
- #22 onwards for the Robins and Harley's origin.
Absolute Batman covers through the years
A look at some of the covers from the run. Tap a cover to see what we have on the shelf.
#2
#4
#7
#10
#15
#16
#17
#25Browse our Absolute Batman back issues
These are some of the Absolute Batman issues currently in stock. Every copy is photographed so you can check its condition before buying.
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#5
Absolute Batman #5
The turning point of the first arc, with the Party Animals closing in.
View our copy -
#8
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#13
Absolute Batman #13
The issue where Absolute Catwoman debuts and Bane's final showdown begins.
View our copy -
#19
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#20
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#22
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#23
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#24
We also have these issues of the series in stock:
You can also search all our Absolute Batman comics.
Frequently asked questions about Absolute Batman
When did Absolute Batman start?
Absolute Batman #1 was cover-dated December 2024 and launched DC's Absolute Universe.
Who writes and draws Absolute Batman?
Scott Snyder writes the series and Nick Dragotta is the main artist and the cover artist on every issue.
What makes Absolute Batman different from regular Batman?
In the Absolute Universe Bruce Wayne is a working civil engineer with no family fortune, and the whole supporting cast is re-imagined.
What is Ark M?
Ark M is a Gotham facility that is meant to help people society has forgotten but has helped create many of the city's villains.
Where does Absolute Catwoman first appear?
Absolute Catwoman debuts in Absolute Batman #13, cover-dated December 2025.
Do Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman cross over?
Yes. Their first meeting is in Absolute Wonder Woman #15, and the story continues in Absolute Batman #16.
Where should I start reading Absolute Batman?
Start with #1, or jump in at #7 for Absolute Zero or #10 for the Bane storyline.
Condition grades on our listings follow our comic & book condition guide. Have Absolute Batman comics of your own? See how to sell your comics to Siomic Comics. Batman, Absolute Batman and all related characters are trademarks of DC. Cover images are shown for reference.