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Absolute Batman (2024) (Single Issues)
Absolute Batman (2024-) #12
Batman is at the mercy of the monstrous Bane. And though his body hasseen better days, his mind and spirit are still strong. But how much longercan that withstand Bane’s brutal onslaught?
Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2025
About the author
Scott Snyder
1,823 books5,470 followersScott Snyder is the Eisner and Harvey Award winning writer on DC Comics Batman, Swamp Thing, and his original series for Vertigo, American Vampire. He is also the author of the short story collection, Voodoo Heart, published by the Dial Press in 2006. The paperback version was published in the summer of 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
January 23, 2026
The aftermath of Bane.
Bruce may have escaped Ark M with Croc, but his friend may be too changed and too far gone to save. While he deals with that, he returns home to find that Bane hasn't killed, but instead destroyed, his remaining friends Oz, Harvey, and Ed, in horrifying ways.
Gotta hand it to Snyder, he rewrote their villain origin story well, especially Harvey.
The last member of the old gang shows up at the end of the issue, just as Batman and Alfred start to get their plan of attack together.
Looking forward to seeing more of Selina and Bruce's backstory. Kinda digging the idea that they were childhood sweethearts.
Recommended.
Bruce may have escaped Ark M with Croc, but his friend may be too changed and too far gone to save. While he deals with that, he returns home to find that Bane hasn't killed, but instead destroyed, his remaining friends Oz, Harvey, and Ed, in horrifying ways.
Gotta hand it to Snyder, he rewrote their villain origin story well, especially Harvey.
The last member of the old gang shows up at the end of the issue, just as Batman and Alfred start to get their plan of attack together.
Looking forward to seeing more of Selina and Bruce's backstory. Kinda digging the idea that they were childhood sweethearts.
Recommended.
February 16, 2026
Abomination, part four.
Dragotta returns for the art chores of the arc, as Bruce faces the monumental task of the man-mountain that is Absolute Bane. Not only did his enemies mutilate him, but the violence also reached his friends. Bane basically rubbing his dominance on Bruce's face.
Dragotta returns for the art chores of the arc, as Bruce faces the monumental task of the man-mountain that is Absolute Bane. Not only did his enemies mutilate him, but the violence also reached his friends. Bane basically rubbing his dominance on Bruce's face.
September 11, 2025
Yes, folks, I continue to be scared of this book. I’m gonna run into Scott Snyder and tell him that one day. Anyway, this issue takes “Ozzie” Cobblepot, “Harv” Dent, and “Eddie” Nygma and turns them into Absolute Penguin, Absolute Two Face, and Absolute Riddler. Just when you think Bruce’s heart is done taking a beating, who else should show up but Selina Kyle? Super excited to see more of her in this universe.
September 12, 2025
This issue is dark and brutal, leaning heavily into horror. Snyder and Dragotta don’t hold back on the body horror as Penguin, Riddler, and Two-Face are all reshaped into terrifying new “Absolute” versions of themselves. The imagery is grotesque and unsettling, and there’s no doubt it succeeds in making the transformations feel tragic and horrifying at the same time.
I thought the idea of giving us these twisted villain rebirths was cool, but it went by very fast. Each villain’s moment felt compressed, almost like three stories crammed into one issue. There’s a density that can be impressive, but for me it meant the emotional weight didn’t fully land. Instead of being pulled deeper into each tragedy, I found myself skimming across the surface.
Over all of this hangs the shadow of Bane. He’s the orchestrator, looming over Bruce’s suffering and these villains’ downfalls. The sense of Bruce’s mental anguish, layered on top of the physical punishment he’s endured in earlier issues, gives the book a heavy tone. It’s powerful, but also draining. By the end I admired the ambition, but I didn’t fully connect — which is why this lands as a solid, but not great, 3-star read for me.
I thought the idea of giving us these twisted villain rebirths was cool, but it went by very fast. Each villain’s moment felt compressed, almost like three stories crammed into one issue. There’s a density that can be impressive, but for me it meant the emotional weight didn’t fully land. Instead of being pulled deeper into each tragedy, I found myself skimming across the surface.
Over all of this hangs the shadow of Bane. He’s the orchestrator, looming over Bruce’s suffering and these villains’ downfalls. The sense of Bruce’s mental anguish, layered on top of the physical punishment he’s endured in earlier issues, gives the book a heavy tone. It’s powerful, but also draining. By the end I admired the ambition, but I didn’t fully connect — which is why this lands as a solid, but not great, 3-star read for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 10, 2025
Batman's traditional rogue's gallery begins to take shape here, in ways not entirely unexpected given the cliffhanger conclusion from last issue. Also expected is Snyder's propensity for brutality, which he still manages to deliver in surprising, satisfying, and horrifying ways.
A lot of this is down to his relationship with artist Nick Dragotta, who returns here after last month's mid-arc break. The way Dragotta frames these sequences and panel-to-panel revelations is wonderfully in sync with Snyder's sensibilities, with the artwork acting as the perfect punchline to the writer's script. Of course, all of this is as effective as it is because of the time this series has spent establishing these characters, their relationship to Bruce, and to one another.
What happens to the Absolute version of the "bat-family," as it were, is the ultimate in unexpected consequences to Bruce's choices in the preceding story arc. Bruce done fucked up, quite badly, and the fallibility and hubris of this version of the Batman adds an interesting bit of dimensionality to the character. As Alfred (and Joker in The Dark Knight) note, by becoming Batman Bruce has changed things, forever, and it's costing those around him dearly.
A lot of this is down to his relationship with artist Nick Dragotta, who returns here after last month's mid-arc break. The way Dragotta frames these sequences and panel-to-panel revelations is wonderfully in sync with Snyder's sensibilities, with the artwork acting as the perfect punchline to the writer's script. Of course, all of this is as effective as it is because of the time this series has spent establishing these characters, their relationship to Bruce, and to one another.
What happens to the Absolute version of the "bat-family," as it were, is the ultimate in unexpected consequences to Bruce's choices in the preceding story arc. Bruce done fucked up, quite badly, and the fallibility and hubris of this version of the Batman adds an interesting bit of dimensionality to the character. As Alfred (and Joker in The Dark Knight) note, by becoming Batman Bruce has changed things, forever, and it's costing those around him dearly.
October 11, 2025
This is the darkest issue so far. Bruce and the Crocodile Waylon makes it back to the city, but they separate on not so good terms. Bruce returns home to find that Bane had completely mutilated all of his friends in the cruelest way possible.
God Damn! The things Bane does to Bruce’s friends, The very definition of cruelty. He is doing this all to break Bruce’s mind and have Bruce replace him as the jokers new weapon. it seems to be working but then Cat Woman shows up.
God Damn! The things Bane does to Bruce’s friends, The very definition of cruelty. He is doing this all to break Bruce’s mind and have Bruce replace him as the jokers new weapon. it seems to be working but then Cat Woman shows up.
September 18, 2025
I wish there were more Bruce and Waylon.
November 30, 2025
This run definitely has a touch of horror to it, and this might be the most unsettling issue so far. It’s always darkest before the dawn, as they say.
September 15, 2025
As the chapters progress, I fall more in love with the villain's design. Wow the new riddler, as well as Bane, just blew my mind
September 15, 2025
If it’s not clear by now, this is shaping up to be one of the best Batman stories ever. The transformation of Bruce’s friends into monsters seems so obvious but it’s executed so brilliantly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2025
ABOMINATION PT.4
September 2025
for me this felt like the pay off issue...
Bruce's friends grotesquely transformed..... bitter.. compared to their friendship shown in previous issues.
it's cleverly done...and I should have seen it coming...but I didn't.
"so riddle me this...what are you going to do about it?"
September 2025
for me this felt like the pay off issue...
Bruce's friends grotesquely transformed..... bitter.. compared to their friendship shown in previous issues.
it's cleverly done...and I should have seen it coming...but I didn't.
"so riddle me this...what are you going to do about it?"
August 3, 2026
Better than last issue...
September 10, 2025
Goddamn, Bane is a savage. He really pushing Bruce to the bring here. He broke his body, now he's breaking his heart. Go after his friends, now it's time for Bruce to strike back. But not before a certain Kitty arrives.
September 21, 2025
This is the Rogue Gallery. I feel sick for them and for Bruce. Bane needs to be put down.
December 10, 2025
This might be one of my favorite comics of the entire year.
For starters, the opening between Bruce and Waylon genuinely broke my heart and shook me to my core. Waylon’s transformation, in particular, feels like a completely different level of pain, and you can see just how deeply it devastates Bruce when he realizes what’s happened.
We finally learn the changes that have been made to each member of Bruce’s inner circle after being taken by Bane, and I was completely on the edge of my seat. I felt this constant mix of adrenaline and fear with every reveal. Each twisted version of Bruce’s inner circle, as corrupted reflections of their original villains, is remarkable. Harvey feels true to his classic comic roots, but with a strange new twist. Ozzie is absolutely heartbreaking and terrifying at the same time. And then there’s Eddie, who somehow reaches an entirely new level of disturbing—his enjoyment of the challenge and what he takes away from his encounter with Bane felt genuinely shocking and unsettling. They’re all so familiar, yet so disturbingly different from their original forms. Bravo, Scott.
Bruce is pushed to his absolute limit here, so much so that he nearly throws in the towel because the pain is simply too much to bear. It’s raw, emotional, and devastating in the best way. I truly loved how this was handled, and I completely empathized with Bruce in these moments. Still, he is Batman, and he will always carry on, no matter what.
And of course, I have to mention Catwoman’s legendary entrance. Loved it. I cannot WAIT for more!
For starters, the opening between Bruce and Waylon genuinely broke my heart and shook me to my core. Waylon’s transformation, in particular, feels like a completely different level of pain, and you can see just how deeply it devastates Bruce when he realizes what’s happened.
We finally learn the changes that have been made to each member of Bruce’s inner circle after being taken by Bane, and I was completely on the edge of my seat. I felt this constant mix of adrenaline and fear with every reveal. Each twisted version of Bruce’s inner circle, as corrupted reflections of their original villains, is remarkable. Harvey feels true to his classic comic roots, but with a strange new twist. Ozzie is absolutely heartbreaking and terrifying at the same time. And then there’s Eddie, who somehow reaches an entirely new level of disturbing—his enjoyment of the challenge and what he takes away from his encounter with Bane felt genuinely shocking and unsettling. They’re all so familiar, yet so disturbingly different from their original forms. Bravo, Scott.
Bruce is pushed to his absolute limit here, so much so that he nearly throws in the towel because the pain is simply too much to bear. It’s raw, emotional, and devastating in the best way. I truly loved how this was handled, and I completely empathized with Bruce in these moments. Still, he is Batman, and he will always carry on, no matter what.
And of course, I have to mention Catwoman’s legendary entrance. Loved it. I cannot WAIT for more!
September 15, 2025
This series is getting more gruesome and gruesome.
I am actually to the point where I am curious if it is too cruel for me to read.. lol. Which means its good. About time we get some actually dark batman books that arent hidden by censorism.
I am actually to the point where I am curious if it is too cruel for me to read.. lol. Which means its good. About time we get some actually dark batman books that arent hidden by censorism.
October 14, 2026
I feel so bad for eddie, waylon, ozzie and harvey
They did not deserve this
So brutal like he destroyed every single one of them
This series is everything it thinks it is and deserves that #1 spot for the duration of the run. Bane is a scary man.. I love batman has venom now
Thats so fitting in this dark twisted world and i hope they develop it further in the future. (Gonna go crazy when the animated series drops)
They did not deserve this
So brutal like he destroyed every single one of them
This series is everything it thinks it is and deserves that #1 spot for the duration of the run. Bane is a scary man.. I love batman has venom now
Thats so fitting in this dark twisted world and i hope they develop it further in the future. (Gonna go crazy when the animated series drops)
September 11, 2025
This was a great issue, and not just because it debuted Catwoman. The story moved, you felt Bruce's agony seeing what happened to his friends. Of course the last one of the gang is gonna show up to have her friend's backs!So excited for the next issue!
September 27, 2025
Good issue, it definitely builds up the next issue with introducing Cat Woman and showing the result of Bane’s work on his friends, and the aftermath of them. Looking forward to the next issue.
September 29, 2025
All the villain origin story
October 4, 2025
The rogues gallery
October 26, 2025
Muito bom volume que mostra como o Bane quebra o Batman nesse universo
April 3, 2026
Exc 5.00
September 5, 2026
Did not realize this series was going to get even darker. I guess this answered my question regarding the villain/friend dynamic. Damn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 10, 2025
They were his friends :(
November 19, 2025
I hope Bane gets his ass ripped apart in the next issues
October 8, 2025
Good Lord, the way his mates got tortured, that was so heinous. Though I didn't know Bane had beef towards Batman.
September 15, 2025
Pacing died down too quick with this one, issue 9-11 were PEAK. Feel like this hadn’t much to show beyond “ts the aftermath of the big stuff, tyvm”. Good ending though, curious what Selena plans to do.
October 10, 2025
Can someone who actually likes this series please explain to me why people find it appealing? I'm genuinely asking. I definitely think this series has potential, but there's no way this is the best version of this story.
Like I think it's fascinating to have some of the popular Batman villains start out as his friends in this universe, but wouldn't the origin stories of Penguin, Two-Face, and the Riddler be way more interesting if they turned against Bruce on their own instead of Bane being behind everything? And why have them all be transformed by Bane at the same time when it would be so much more interesting to draw out their stories and have Bruce lose his friends one by one? This series is just so poorly paced in my opinion. It would be so much cooler to see these characters slowly fall from grace in their own time and because of their own decisions. Having Bane be the mastermind behind everything takes away their agency. I hate it.
At this point I am only reading this series to find out what's going on with Absolute Joker, because every other character in this kinda sucks.
Like I think it's fascinating to have some of the popular Batman villains start out as his friends in this universe, but wouldn't the origin stories of Penguin, Two-Face, and the Riddler be way more interesting if they turned against Bruce on their own instead of Bane being behind everything? And why have them all be transformed by Bane at the same time when it would be so much more interesting to draw out their stories and have Bruce lose his friends one by one? This series is just so poorly paced in my opinion. It would be so much cooler to see these characters slowly fall from grace in their own time and because of their own decisions. Having Bane be the mastermind behind everything takes away their agency. I hate it.
At this point I am only reading this series to find out what's going on with Absolute Joker, because every other character in this kinda sucks.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2026
This series is truly beginning to lose its way. Seems like the artist just wants to throw out all different iterations of villains and get comic books lovers drooling. Not me. I’m a story guy.
After that fake out last issue, Batman escapes Ark M with the help of Croc. I was hoping we’d hear more about the penitentiary since…yknow…that’s the story. The mystery of Ark M. Nope. We see a compounded and quick exposition to the introduction to new Batman villains. Riddler, Two-Face, Penguin. Quickly passed over Bruce returning to society after everyone knew he was missing.
Slow down. Get back down to the roots and tell a good story. Seems like the end of the issue veers back in the right direction. Let’s hope it stays that way,
After that fake out last issue, Batman escapes Ark M with the help of Croc. I was hoping we’d hear more about the penitentiary since…yknow…that’s the story. The mystery of Ark M. Nope. We see a compounded and quick exposition to the introduction to new Batman villains. Riddler, Two-Face, Penguin. Quickly passed over Bruce returning to society after everyone knew he was missing.
Slow down. Get back down to the roots and tell a good story. Seems like the end of the issue veers back in the right direction. Let’s hope it stays that way,
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews