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Absolute Batman #9 DC Comics 8/25 Nguyen 1:25 Variant Cover CGC 9.8 4631836010
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Absolute Batman #9 Dustin Nguyen variant cover was a 1:25 incentive cover released on June 11, 2025.
Absolute Batman #9, the first part of the "Abomination" story arc, which introduced a new, monstrous version of the villain Bane. Written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Nick Dragotta, the issue features a terrifyingly large Bane who completely overpowers Batman in their first encounter.
The new Bane: Depicted as an immense "tower of muscle," this reimagined Bane is physically more intimidating than Batman. He makes a brutal entrance by crushing a diplomat's skull with his bare hand. The redesign was intentionally provocative, with Snyder and Dragotta titling the arc "Abomination" after Bane's co-creator, Graham Nolan, used the term to describe it.
The plot begins: The story kicks off two weeks after the previous arc. A powerful organization known as J.K. Holdings hires Bane to disrupt peace talks between two warring Middle Eastern nations. Bane successfully reignites the conflict before heading to Gotham.
Ark M's secrets: In Gotham, Bruce Wayne is searching for his friend Waylon Jones, who was unjustly imprisoned at the newly active facility, Ark M. Bruce infiltrates the prison only to discover a larger, hidden complex and a window with a human-sized bat skeleton behind it.
Batman's defeat: Inside Ark M, Batman is quickly confronted by the new Bane. Despite Batman's strength in the "Absolute" universe, he is no match for Bane, who can incapacitate him with a series of pressure points. Bane reveals that the venom tubes on his body had not even been activated yet. He proceeds to activate them, his muscles swell, and he easily captures Batman.
Creative team: The issue brings back the original creative team of Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, colorist Frank Martin, and letterer Clayton Cowles. Snyder described the arc as a ramp-up to an "all-time great" story, while Dragotta's art was praised for his menacing portrayal of Bane.