Absolute Batman 2025 Annual # 1 Custom Label CGC 9.8 4779621006

Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1 is an oversized, 56-page anthology comic book released by DC Comics on October 29, 2025. Serving as a canon, "Year One" companion piece to Scott Snyder’s mainline Absolute Batman series, it explores the brutal early days of an alternate, working-class Bruce Wayne across three standalone stories. 

The issue received significant praise from reviewers for adding deep thematic layers to this massive, untraditional iteration of the Dark Knight. 

The Core Narrative Threads

• "His Way" (Written & Illustrated by Daniel Warren Johnson): The longest story in the book focuses on a young Bruce reflecting on his father Thomas Wayne's peaceful, educator nature. The narrative starkly juxtaposes this pacifism against the hyper-violent present reality of Batman, who uses extreme measures—including a flamethrower—to take down a cell of white supremacists. Bruce travels to Slaughter Swamp to purchase heavy ordnance, where he defends an immigrant family from a gang wearing pig masks and builds his heavily armored, "dump truck" Batmobile. 
• "Sanctuary" (Written & Illustrated by James Harren): This segment switches perspectives to focus on Gotham's criminal underbelly. It tracks a small group of Black Mask's "Party Animals" immediately after Batman dismantles their operation, capturing the horror and raw dread of being hunted by an unstoppable, brick-shithouse version of Batman.
• "Let's Learn About Bats!" (Written & Illustrated by Meredith McClaren): A shorter, highly stylized, chibi-esque segment that rounds out the anthology. It examines the psychological footprint Batman leaves on Gotham and explores how citizens look for role models in a deeply broken world.

Key Details & Specs

• Release Date: October 29, 2025
• Creative Team: Daniel Warren Johnson, James Harren, Meredith McClaren, colorists Mike Spicer and Dave Stewart, and letterer Clayton Cowles.
• Significance: It serves as the official origin story for how this alternate Bruce Wayne establishes his unique arsenal and explores his early career before codifying his strictest rules. 

https://www.cgccomics.com/certlookup/4779621006/