Absolute Batman # 1 Jae Lee Variant Eighth Printing 2025 BN

Absolute Batman # 1, released in October 2024 as the debut of DC's "Absolute Universe" imprint, reimagines Bruce Wayne as a working-class, brutal vigilante in a harsh, crime-ridden Gotham. He must confront a violent new gang while being tracked by a hardened MI6 agent, Alfred Pennyworth. 

The core of Absolute Batman is a "what if" scenario that flips much of the Batman lore on its head: 

• Working-Class Bruce: Bruce Wayne is not a billionaire playboy; he is a smart, towering civil engineer who grew up in Crime Alley. He builds his own gear and operates from a penthouse owned by a faraway investor, not Wayne Manor.
• A Living Mother: Thomas Wayne, a public school teacher, was the parent killed in a mass shooting at the Gotham Zoo, while his wife Martha Wayne survived and is a social worker. This means Bruce has a living mother, which adds a new dimension to his motivation and life.
• Brutal, Non-Lethal Methods: This Batman is an "absolute unit" (a hulking brute) who uses a variety of high-tech and close-quarters weapons, including his bat-symbol as a hand axe and bladed cowl ears, but still adheres to a strict no-kill code (though he is notably brutal in incapacitating opponents).
• Agent Alfred: Alfred Pennyworth is an antagonistic, motorcycle-riding MI6 black-ops agent sent to investigate a violent new gang called the "Party Animals". He clashes with Batman and becomes fascinated by his methods and identity.
• Reimagined Rogues: Bruce's childhood friends include alternate versions of iconic characters like Selina Kyle (Catwoman), Waylon Jones (Killer Croc), Harvey Dent (Two-Face), Oswald Cobblepot (Penguin), and Edward Nigma (Riddler), who have yet to fully embrace their villainous paths. 

The Main Conflict 

The issue centers on the rise of the "Party Animals" gang, a ruthless group causing chaos in Gotham, secretly backed by a new, wealthy version of the villain Black Mask (Roman Sionis). As Batman fights this new criminal element, Alfred Pennyworth, the narrator for much of the issue, observes his actions, leading to a confrontation that ends with Batman escaping on Alfred's high-tech motorcycle. The issue ends with the revelation of a new version of the Joker as a wealthy, unlaughing mastermind pulling the strings from the shadows. 

Creative Team 

• Writer: Scott Snyder
• Artist: Nick Dragotta
• Publisher: DC Comics (Absolute Universe imprint)
• Release Date: October 9, 2024