Absolute Batman
{{Short description|Comic book series by DC Comics}}
{{Infobox comic book title
| image = File:Absolute Batman, October 2024.webp
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| caption = Textless cover of Absolute Batman #1, art by Nick Dragotta.
| schedule = Monthly
| format = Ongoing
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| ongoing = Y
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| genre = {{Unbulleted list|Superhero}}
| Superhero = y
| publisher = DC Comics (Absolute Universe)
| date = {{DTS|2024-10-9}} – present
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| issues = 9
| main_char_team = Batman
Alfred Pennyworth
| issn =
| writers = Scott Snyder
| artists = Nick Dragotta
Gabriel Hernández Walta (4)
Marcos Martín (7-8)
| pencillers =
| inkers =
| letterers = Clayton Cowles
| colorists = Frank Martin
| editors = Katie Kubert
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Absolute Batman is a superhero comic book series published by DC Comics, based on the character Batman. The series is written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Nick Dragotta, and began publication on October 9, 2024, as the first title in DC's Absolute Universe (AU) imprint.
Premise
The series stars a 24-year-old blue-collar civil engineer named Bruce Wayne, who operates at night to fight crime as the vigilante Batman. While doing so, he is stalked by a secret agent, Alfred Pennyworth.{{Cite web |last=Bonomolo |first=Cameron |date=September 9, 2024 |title=Absolute Batman: Scott Snyder's Dark Knight Is "Chaos and Anarchy" |url=https://comicbook.com/comics/news/dc-absolute-batman-scott-snyder-batman-mythology-chaos-anarchy/ |access-date=October 21, 2024 |website=ComicBook.com}}
Publication history
By July 2024, a Batman-focused comic book series written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Nick Dragotta was in the works as part of DC Comics' Absolute Universe (AU) imprint,{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Rich |author-link=Rich Johnston |date=July 7, 2024 |title=SCOOP: DC Comics Launch Absolute Batman At San Diego Comic-Con |url=https://bleedingcool.com/comics/scoop-dc-comics-launch-absolute-batman-at-san-diego-comic-con/ |access-date=October 28, 2024 |website=Bleeding Cool}} which is overseen by Snyder.{{Cite web |last=Cronin |first=Brian |date=July 18, 2024 |title=DC Reveals First Three Absolute Universe Titles |url=https://www.cbr.com/dc-reveals-first-three-absolute-universe-titles/ |access-date=October 28, 2024 |website=Comic Book Resources}}
Absolute Batman began publication on October 9 of the same year, as the first title under the AU imprint.{{Cite web |last=Morrison |first=Matt |date=October 4, 2024 |title=Absolute Batman #1 Preview Reveals New Alfred Pennyworth |url=https://www.superherohype.com/comics/584926-absolute-batman-1-preview-reveals-new-alfred-pennyworth/ |access-date=October 28, 2024 |website=SuperHeroHype.com}}
Plot
= "The Zoo" (#1–6) =
Alfred Pennyworth, a spy, is sent to Gotham City to investigate the terrorist group "The Party Animals". In Gotham he tries to reconcile with his estranged daughter Julia. Bruce Wayne in this world grew up in Crime Alley, growing up with his childhood friends, Waylon Jones, Harvey Dent, Edward Nigma, Oswald Cobblepot, Matches Malone and Selena Kyle. As a child, Bruce Wayne won a engineering competition, and his class won a trip to the zoo, where they were accompanied by Thomas Wayne, Bruce's teacher and father. During this trip, they were attacked by a mass shooter, where Thomas Wayne was murdered. Because of this, Bruce Wayne went on to university through scholarships where he began to study subjects he needed to become Batman. His first public appearance as Batman occurs at his own meeting about the Party Animals. Inside the hall, Mayor James Gordon and his friend Martha Wayne are suddenly attacked by the Party Animals. Batman fights off and defends the town hall. The Party Animals are lead by criminal mastermind Roman Sionis.
Collected editions
| class="wikitable"
! width="4px" | # ! Title ! Material collected ! class="unsortable" | Format ! Pages ! Released ! class="unsortable" style="width: 10em;" | ISBN |
| rowspan=2|1
|rowspan=2|The Zoo |rowspan=2|Absolute Batman #1–6 |style="text-align: center;"|HC |rowspan=2 style="text-align: center;"|176 |rowspan=2|{{dts|August 5, 2025}} |{{nowrap|{{ISBNT|978-1799505242}}}} |
| style="text-align: center;"|TPB
|{{nowrap|{{ISBNT|978-1799505259}}}} |
Reception
The first issue of Absolute Batman had a print run of around 250,000 copies and by the end of 2024, Absolute Batman became the best selling comic of 2024, with combined sales of first, second, third and black-and-white printings, selling just under 400,000 copies. Within the first 8 months, the first issue went through 6 printings, with subsequent issues being reprinted as well. Absolute Batman was praised for its writing and art, calling it a refreshing reinvention of the character.{{Cite web |last=Champa |first=Madelyn |date=2024-10-09 |title=I'd Given Up on Batman, But Absolute Batman #1 Has Changed My Mind (Review) |url=https://screenrant.com/absolute-batman-1-snyder-dragotta-changed-my-mind-review/ |access-date=2025-06-13 |website=ScreenRant |language=en}}