Absolute Batman # 22 Cover C Variant First Printing 2026 BN

Absolute Batman #22 continues "The Straw Man" story arc with a heavily praised, character-focused shift. Released on July 8, 2026, the issue is written by series mastermind Scott Snyder. It features guest interior art by acclaimed illustrator Werther Dell'Edera (Something is Killing the Children), whose sketchy, surreal line work brings a distinctly psychological, horror-tinged vibe to the issue.

This milestone chapter is highly celebrated for detailing the official, universe-altering origin story of Absolute Harley Quinn, while exploring how the Robin Initiative tracks down a compromised, isolating Caped Crusader.

Plot Summary & Key Developments

The narrative balances a high-stakes, asymmetric chase sequence across Gotham with shocking revelations about the multi-generational reach of the Joker's corporate empire.

• Batman on the Run: Following his brutal conflicts with the armored Robins in issue #21, an injured and exhausted Batman is fundamentally isolated. Rather than choosing a hero's death, Bruce isolates himself from his standard network to nurse his wounds, relying on Harley Quinn as they navigate the shadows to dodge the Robin Initiative's active perimeter.
• The Hunting Robins: Concurrently, the government-backed squad of Mech-Robins hunts Batman down. The issue exposes a rift within their ranks: Jason Todd (Robin-2) exhibits an intense, borderline lethal obsession with permanently putting Batman down, while the other team members explicitly question his volatile, hyper-aggressive methods and effectiveness.
• The Truth About Harley's Bloodline: The core of the issue centers on a massive twist regarding Harleen Quinzel’s heritage: Harley Quinn is revealed to be the daughter of Jack Grimm (The Absolute Joker).
• The Mother's Sacrifice: Flashbacks detail Harley's childhood with her mother, a brilliant neurologist who originally designed cognitive pharmaceuticals for JK Holdings. Upon witnessing the horrific reality of Grimm's biological and human experimentation, her mother dedicated her entire life to exposing his medical malpractice.
• The Doctor Arkham Shock: In a dark psychological twist, it is revealed that Harley’s mother eventually operated deep cover within the belly of the beast, operating as Doctor Arkham. Investigating a secret laboratory beneath her childhood home, a young Harley uncovered experiments on monstrous, warped beings—First appearances including early absolute versions of Tweedle Dee, Tweedle Dum, and Calendar Man.
• The Daddy of All Spoilers: The issue culminates in a massive, reality-shattering cliffhanger. As Scarecrow’s psychological mind games reach a fever pitch, Batman uncovers a secret room where he finds a severely malnourished man held in chains—who shockingly looks Bruce in the eyes and claims to be his long-dead father, Thomas Wayne.

Issue Specifications & Collecting

• Page Count: 28 pages
• Age Rating: Rated Teen Plus (15+ for psychological thriller elements, disturbing themes, and violence).