The world of Bruce Wayne has never been more different. Old enemies are now childhood friends. Martha Wayne is alive and flourishing in Gotham. These elements are just a few key changes in the Absolute Universe.
Even as those moments have been huge, they may fall in comparison to a new vision of a deadly rogue.
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #9 by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin, & Clayton Cowles welcomes BANE into Batman’s world.
Let’s take a closer look at how events play out now.
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #9 by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin, & Clayton Cowles (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
How do you make Bane more terrifying? Remember: this is the man who broke Batman’s back AND killed Alfred! Snyder wastes little time in bringing the giant terror back to his strategic roots. In one move, he ends a peace treaty for more war. The writing brushes it off as an afterthought. How does this version of Batman stand a chance here?
The writing shows how he is handling a close friend’s disappearance. It is a brutal showcase of how Wayne barely holds his rage together. Snyder also quickly reveals a key player in the Bat-Universe. How said person will factor in will be fun to watch. It ‘s not the only new/old face appearing here. Once the mission becomes clear, there is no turning back on direction. The flashback moments solidify the hurt Wayne is feeling. This spirals into more reveals and a terrifying close. The last page is going to evoke a reaction out of readers that won’t be silenced anytime soon.
Dragotta returns after a two issue break and swings for the fences. Bane’s introduction is haunting and ultra brutal. One small panel speaks volumes onto the lengths he is willing to go. It carries a certain aura of fear. This never leaves his panels as events shift to Gotham City. Once here, readers are caught up quickly on the state of Bruce Wayne.
The violent reactions to his friends disappearance refuse to leave readers. It shows how broken he is There’s no comparison to the fragile mental state. The interactions with his friends is case in point. An angry outburst drives home Wayne’s pain. Readers see how this pushes his investigation further. A full page image unveils a hidden secret of the new Absilute world. There’s little time to process it as the closing takes hold. The art is unforgiving in the action. This is drilled home in the final page. A full page image establishes true fear as an absolute statement is made for the future of Gotham.
OVERALL GRADE: 9.5
A classic rogue’s absolute debut checks all the boxes on a magnificent chapter. Snyder unloads the true fear of Bane with the writing. Dragotta unleashes a furious look at the villain’s instant impact. No one in the Absolute Universe may be safe .
Let me know your thoughts on Absolute Batman #9 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!