But even in his most addictive, often immensely violent and absurdly satisfying climactic fights, Absolute Batman has been building toward something big for quite a while, since the moment a twisted mirror image of a more classic Bruce Wayne emerged with Jack Grimm. The Absolute Joker has become the central mastermind he was always destined to be, yet despite a far more orderly veneer, hiding behind the dynastic name of his wealthy and powerful family, operating from the shadows, funding dangerous experiments, and staging Batman's biggest fights. But as all of the biggest villains and allies begin to assemble as teased by Absolute Batman #25, Dragotta's new art makes an event out of its October 28, 2026 release date.
Batman's Intense New Foundation Is Laid Out In Stunning Upcoming Release
Much like for Absolute Superman and Absolute Wonder Woman #25, the incredible new Batman series is reaching the capstone moment for its first narrative phase, with Dragotta's triptych variant covers laying out the friends (and enemies) Bruce made along the way. The covers complete the trifold image teased by the main cover, in which Batman is seen with figures from the past like his childhood friends growing up in the Crime Alley neighborhood and the late Thomas Wayne. It naturally also features key developments, like the revelation about his mother, Martha, and the Court of Owls, Jim Gordon, his on-again-off-again partner Selina Kyle, and surprising ally Harley Quinn, above the newly-revealed Absolute Bat, Barbara Gordon.
All the villains. All the heroes. All the stakes. What's left…of Absolute Batman?
The other two variant covers lay out the rest of the supporting cast of Absolute Batman, including his childhood friends following their horrific mutilations at the hands of Bane. They show the maniacal Scarecrow whose plot is only beginning to unfold, and a positively demonic Joker manifestation, among other recent reveals like Absolute Poison Ivy or Clayface. To say Absolute Batman's journey has been impressively dense over what seems like a relatively short 23 issues released so far feels like an understatement: it's been an avalanche of chaos compounding alongside the myth of the Batman, with Grimm's machinations pinning some truly consequential crimes on Wayne himself.
Absolute Batman introduced fans to a new working-class Bruce Wayne who was no less dedicated to his crusade after the horrific shooting incident at Gotham Zoo that took his father's life. But it also introduces readers to a tragic reimagining of his character, who has a mother with a secretive past, and is far more sociable and thus far more susceptible to anguish as his friends are beaten, broken, and mutilated, and introduced more than one jaw-dropping battle, such as his clash with Bane channeling Akira climax vibes and having a stunning, visceral conclusion. But as Grimm most recently said upon meeting Wayne, life is far too interesting now to cut Batman out. Simply put, more horrors are undoubtedly due to unfold with Gotham's rogues' gallery introduced and assembled in these variant covers.
Scott Snyder Reveals Big Plans For Absolute Batman #25 & Beyond
As revealed in Snyder's Substack Our Best Jackett, the future for Absolute Batman is a thrilling one expanding the characters significantly, and features what he hypes to be at least two of the biggest moments so far in the series, with Dragotta on point for its 30-page visual extravaganza. He specifically notes one particular moment "will be a big talking point for all you guys." Additionally, an artist yet to be revealed will illustrate issue #26, laying out Barbara Gordon's "Year One" story. Given Batman is facing the fallout of crimes pinned on him like Jim Gordon and now Tim Drake's death, the next issues are going to be crucial, with #27 starting Absolute Batman's new era.
[...]#27 will bring Nick back to the book and start our next really, really crucial arc. So you’ll see, there’s a lot of good stuff. The Ark M special, Beyond Ark M, has a huge reveal in it at the end. So don’t miss out on that. That’s going to be really big in November, order high on that one.
With the mysterious "Ark" black site prisons being set up worldwide, with Ark-M naturally being the most tantalizing mystery yet, poised to be the Absolute Universe's Arkham Asylum, Absolute Batman is in for some major worldbuilding exercises ahead. The finale of the Straw Man arc is coming, and Batman is getting ready for a proper head-on confrontation with the Absolute Joker, equipped with all the resources of a Prime Earth Bruce Wayne, while his persona conceals the horrific demon underneath. It's an especially perfect climax as it comes mere days away from Halloween, and a perfect way to commemorate the season and spirit of Batman.
-
-
Created by
Bob Kane, Bill Finger
First Film
Batman
Latest Film
The Batman
Upcoming Films
The Batman Part II
First TV Show
Batman (1966)
Latest TV Show
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
English (US) ·