Spinning out of DC Comics' major "Absolute Power" event, the "DC All In" initiative's "Absolute Universe" line began rolling out in October 2024. Among the most anticipated titles is "Absolute Batman," which officially launched on October 9, 2024. The series introduces a radically different take on the Caped Crusader, forging a new origin story with a more brutal and violent style that has quickly made it a hot topic among fans.
Bruce Wayne Is Not a Billionaire
So, what's changed in the "Absolute Universe"? In this brand-new Batman origin, the Bruce Wayne we know is no longer a billionaire playboy. Instead, he's a blue-collar civil engineer. His father, Thomas Wayne, is also reimagined from a prominent doctor to a humble schoolteacher.
Despite his new background, this Bruce Wayne hasn't lost his signature intellect. His genius was evident in his stellar academic performance and various near-genius scientific inventions from a young age, laying the crucial groundwork for his future as Batman.
The Wayne Family Tragedy Doesn't Happen at a Movie Theater
Set in a more contemporary world, the "Absolute Universe" shifts the stage for Bruce Wayne's life-altering tragedy from a classic movie theater alley to an ordinary city zoo.
With the Waynes' different social status, the iconic scene of pearls scattering on the pavement is gone. However, Bruce's father is still gunned down by a criminal, dying while shielding a group of children, including his son.
As for Martha Wayne? Fortunately, this universe doesn't leave Bruce an orphan instantly—Martha is still alive. The story shows Bruce placing a flower at the site of his father's murder before visiting his mother.
Of course, this doesn't rule out the possibility that Martha is only alive *for now*. If the story intends to pile on more tragedy for Batman, his complete orphan status could be revisited in the Absolute Universe. For now, that remains speculation.
Bruce Wayne's Childhood Friends Are All Familiar Faces
In a major departure from DC canon, characters like Harvey Dent ("Two-Face"), Selina Kyle ("Catwoman"), Waylon Jones ("Killer Croc"), Edward Nygma ("The Riddler"), and Oswald Cobblepot ("The Penguin") are reimagined in the Absolute Universe as Bruce Wayne's childhood friends.
While the first issue of "Absolute Batman" shows they remain friends into adulthood, Bruce's double life as a nighttime vigilante is causing him to drift away from them.
With the series just beginning, this setup strongly suggests that the story will explore the dramatic shifts in these lifelong friendships as their destinies unfold.
The First Villain of "Absolute Batman"
While the friends mentioned above have yet to embrace their villainous alter egos, the first major antagonist to debut in "Absolute Batman" #1 is Roman Sionis, a.k.a. Black Mask, leader of a gang called "The Party Animals."
In the story, he showcases his collection of death masks to Maroni and Carmine Falcone, including the faces of their own family members, to assert his dominance in Gotham's criminal underworld.
Typically, the power dynamics of Gotham's mob families begin to shift months after Batman's debut. The "Absolute Universe," however, kicks off with this gang war front and center, leaving readers to wonder how The Penguin will eventually fit into the conflict.
Alfred Pennyworth Is No Longer a Butler?
While "Absolute Batman" #1 is narrated from Alfred Pennyworth's perspective as he re-examines Bruce Wayne's origin, the story also redefines Alfred's role. Not only does his appearance differ from the familiar "Butler-man," but his profession has changed entirely.
One thing is certain: this Alfred Pennyworth is a secret agent for an unknown organization. It's unclear if he works for the British government, as in past continuity, or for an agency like A.R.G.U.S., but he has been tasked with investigating "The Party Animals," the gang causing chaos in Gotham.
Interestingly, the relationship between Batman and Alfred in the "Absolute Universe" isn't the close, familial bond of the main universe. Instead, it's a tense and adversarial one. For instance, Alfred contemplates assassinating Bruce Wayne and quickly deduces he is Batman, only sparing him because he's still a "child with a mother." For his part, Bruce has no problem stealing the agent's motorcycle and intelligence.
The Gordon Family
It seems some things are constant in any universe: where there's a Gotham, there's a Batman, and where there's a Batman, there's a James Gordon. While the story is just beginning and hasn't established a partnership between the two, it's important to note that James Gordon isn't the GCPD commissioner here—he's the mayor of Gotham City.
Taking on the role of top cop is his daughter, Barbara Gordon. Whether she will eventually become Batgirl remains to be seen in the "Absolute Universe," but for now, her focus, like Alfred's, is on taking down the violent "Party Animals" gang.
The Batsuit Is a Walking Arsenal
The moment Bruce Wayne dons the Batsuit and becomes the Dark Knight is always a fan-favorite, and this version doesn't disappoint. This Batman is more violent and brutal, and his Batsuit is a walking arsenal. The Bat-symbol on his chest can be detached and wielded as a massive battle-axe, capable of dismembering and incapacitating his foes.
Beyond the "Bat-Axe," the entire suit is a weapon. The ears on the cowl and the spikes on his gauntlets are retractable daggers, and his bulletproof cape is a special device he can manipulate at will.
This demonstrates that even though this Bruce Wayne isn't a billionaire with unlimited funds, his genius-level intellect allows him to craft sophisticated gear, echoing the "scientific inventions" of his youth.
The Absolutely "Unsmiling" Joker
Where there's a Batman, there must be a Joker. This eternal rivalry holds true in the "Absolute Universe." While he isn't the main focus of the first issue, he is one of the targets being tracked by the secret agent Alfred Pennyworth.
This version of the character has used many aliases, including "Jack" and "Arthur," and was trained by elite assassins like the League of Assassins and Henri Ducard—only to kill them afterward. In a fascinating twist, it's not Bruce Wayne who is wealthy in this universe; The Joker is one of the richest men in the world.
So why is he called The Joker? In other universes, a smile is his trademark. In the Absolute Universe, he's ironically nicknamed "The Joker" because he *never* smiles.
The Joker has always been Batman's opposite, an unchanging dynamic in the DC Universe. But here, the circumstances of Bruce Wayne and The Joker are completely reversed. The wealth, global travel, and elite combat training are all given to the Clown Prince of Crime, who is defined by his lack of a smile.
This reversal is likely designed to create a greater psychological conflict for the low-status Batman. It's even possible that the iconic "smile" will only emerge after a confrontation with the Dark Knight. Regardless, it sets the stage for a visceral, hand-to-hand "exchange" between Batman and The Joker.