We've Met Absolute Batman, but What About Absolute Joker?

DC's *Absolute Batman* is a monumental comic book launch, achieving the best-selling comic of 2024 and maintaining its top spot ever since. Readers clearly embrace this bold and surprising reimagining of the Dark Knight. Following the conclusion of their first arc, "The Zoo," creators Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta spoke with IGN about their radical departure from the traditional Batman mythos. Discover how they designed this impressively muscular Batman, the impact of Bruce Wayne having a mother, and what to expect as Absolute Joker emerges.

Warning: This article contains full spoilers for *Absolute Batman* #6.

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Designing Absolute Batman

The Absolute Universe's Batman is undeniably intimidating—bulging muscles, shoulder spikes, and a redesigned Batsuit. His design is so striking, it's featured among IGN's 10 greatest Batman costumes. Snyder and Dragotta discussed creating this imposing figure, reflecting a Batman lacking the usual wealth and resources.

Dragotta explained Snyder's initial direction: "Go big." He initially drew a large Batman, but Snyder's response was, "Bigger!" Dragotta continues, "The impetus was to go big, bold, iconic, and hit the themes of this character. His emblem, every piece of his suit—it's all a weapon. It's not just a utility belt; everything is utilitarian. This drives the design, and it will continue to evolve."

For Snyder, Batman's immense size was crucial. Classic Batman's superpower is his wealth. This Batman compensates for his lack of resources with sheer physical presence. Snyder states, "Classic Batman is intimidating due to his fighting skills, detective work, size, theatrics, and his wealth. He arrives in a car, plane, or suit that screams, 'I'm richer than you.' This intimidates super-criminals. If this Batman lacks that, his size, physicality, and the utility of his suit become his tools; he's always scary."

Snyder adds, "His villains believe they're untouchable, possessing resources he lacks. Black Mask, for example, is incredibly wealthy. He'll face increasingly powerful foes, needing to be a force of nature, a physical threat."

Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns clearly influenced Absolute Batman. Dragotta acknowledges this influence in a splash page in issue #6, referencing Miller's iconic cover. Dragotta says, "Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's Batman: Year One are huge inspirations—not the art style, but the storytelling and layouts. Dark Knight Returns and Year One are definite homages; it felt right and necessary."

Giving Batman a Family

Beyond the lack of wealth, Absolute Batman significantly alters Batman's mythology. The most significant change is revealing Martha Wayne is alive. Batman is no longer a lonely orphan; he has a mother, increasing his vulnerabilities.

Snyder explains, "Choosing which parent to keep alive was difficult. Martha felt more interesting because Bruce's relationship with Thomas is often paternal in other universes. Once she entered the story, it became instinctual. We have a plan through issue #24, but much is intuitive. She became the moral compass; Bruce is a moral force, but young and idealistic in some ways, and not enough in others. She's a source of strength and vulnerability—her presence in the world makes him vulnerable as well as stronger. It adds a dimension I can't imagine the book without."

Issue #1 revealed Bruce's childhood friends were Waylon Jones, Oswald Cobblepot, Harvey Dent, Edward Nygma, and Selina Kyle—future villains. Here, they're family. Snyder teases their influence on Bruce's transformation.

He says, "If he can't train with the League of Shadows, who does he train with? He learned underworld dealings from Oswald, fighting from Waylon, detection from Eddie, politics from Harvey, and much from Selina. They're all part of Batman's development. It was initially fun, but exploring their relationships, along with Martha, became the core—his relationships ground and strengthen him, making him more vulnerable. My favorite scenes are with his friends and Martha."

Absolute Batman vs. Absolute Black Mask

"The Zoo" introduces a new generation of villains. While Bane and Joker are hinted at, the arc focuses on Roman Sionis, Black Mask, leader of the nihilistic Party Animals.

Snyder explains choosing Black Mask, "We felt his material was moldable. His death mask represents nihilism—the world is broken, so let's party. If you don't feel that way, you're crazy. We'll write him like a creator-owned character, staying true to his core, but making him our own."

Issue #6 culminates in a brutal fight on Sionis' yacht, ending with Batman gouging out Black Mask's eyes. Batman doesn't kill, but the fight showcases his underdog status.

Snyder says, "The lines, 'Tell me again how I don’t matter! I love it!' are my favorite. It's the thesis of our Batman—he uses the belief that he's insignificant as fuel. He'll have moments of doubt, but at his best, he defies the impossible."

The Threat of Absolute Joker

Joker inevitably follows Batman. He's the inverse—chaos to Batman's order. Absolute Joker, teased in issue #1, is everything Batman isn't: wealthy, worldly, trained, and never laughs.

Snyder explains, "If this is an inverted system, Batman is the disruption; Joker is the system. I always consider Joker's position relative to Batman. He's always at the opposite end of the spectrum."

Absolute Joker's already a terrifying villain. This isn't a retread of the Killing Joke origin. Snyder says, "This Joker is already terrifying. His relationship with Batman evolves throughout the series."

Dragotta adds, "He's been there. The clues we've planted show his power. JK Industries, Ark-M—Alfred hinted at Arks worldwide. There's a master plan. His storyline is coming."

What to Expect From Absolute Mr. Freeze and Absolute Bane

Issues #7 and #8 feature Marcos Martin, introducing Mr. Freeze. The cover suggests a horrifying reinvention.

Snyder says, "I'm excited about these issues. Nick brought in story-forward artists to maintain the book's unique feel. Marcos focuses on the emotional heart. Mr. Freeze reflects Bruce's struggles—he's struggling with telling his friends he's Batman and surviving the first arc. Mr. Freeze has faced similar struggles but took a dark path. It's a twisted version, and I love that. In this universe, it's ours; we can go dark."

Bane's appearance is also imminent. Snyder says, "Bane is big. People thought he'd be small, but he's not. We wanted someone who makes Bruce's silhouette look smaller."

The Absolute line will expand in 2025 with Absolute Flash, Absolute Green Lantern, and Absolute Martian Manhunter. While standalone so far, Snyder teases interactions. He says, "Bruce will be aware of events elsewhere. We're planning how these characters will interact in 2025 and 2026. We're not crossing with the main universe, but showing how these characters and villains affect each other."

Absolute Batman #6 is in stores now. Preorder Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo HC on Amazon.

Which Absolute DC series are you most excited to read?

Absolute BatmanAbsolute Wonder WomanAbsolute SupermanAbsolute FlashAbsolute Green LanternAbsolute Martian Manhunter

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