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Absolute Batman (2024) (Single Issues)
Absolute Batman (2024-) #15
Alfred reveals to Bruce the story of the man he’s been chasing for years. Joker! Scott Snyder and Jock reunite for an epic tale in the Absolute Universe!
30 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2025
62 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Scott Snyder
1,794 books5,281 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 134 reviews
April 18, 2026
It was only a matter of time.
For years now, the Joker has been increasingly cast as some sort of preternatural villain. He hasn't been the guy with a hand buzzer and the ACME dynamite in a long time, and Snyder, in particular, has really enjoyed playing with what this character means to the Batman universe. The hybrid he created in The Batman Who Laughs is a good example, but he also did a lot with his Death of the Family storyline.
And while I've been a victim of Joker fatigue in the main universe, I think that this brand of over-the-top nuts is kind of perfect for the Absolute universe.
Skinny gist is that the reader finally gets a real glimpse of what the Joker is. Partially told through a hesitant Alfred, who is recounting what he believes he's discovered about something with a secret past, and partially through a hunting trip the Joker makes to an island he owns...
The ending was GREAT.
Recommended.
For years now, the Joker has been increasingly cast as some sort of preternatural villain. He hasn't been the guy with a hand buzzer and the ACME dynamite in a long time, and Snyder, in particular, has really enjoyed playing with what this character means to the Batman universe. The hybrid he created in The Batman Who Laughs is a good example, but he also did a lot with his Death of the Family storyline.
And while I've been a victim of Joker fatigue in the main universe, I think that this brand of over-the-top nuts is kind of perfect for the Absolute universe.
Skinny gist is that the reader finally gets a real glimpse of what the Joker is. Partially told through a hesitant Alfred, who is recounting what he believes he's discovered about something with a secret past, and partially through a hunting trip the Joker makes to an island he owns...
The ending was GREAT.
Recommended.
February 19, 2026
The Absolute Joker issue!
For every Batman run he does, Snyder likes to define the Joker, adding bits of lore to make the clown even creepier and more menacing.
He does the same here in Absolute Batman, and he merges the character with another one his concepts, the Joker Dragon from Dark Nights: Metal.
To complete, Jock illustrates the story and it's almost tailor built for his style.
For every Batman run he does, Snyder likes to define the Joker, adding bits of lore to make the clown even creepier and more menacing.
He does the same here in Absolute Batman, and he merges the character with another one his concepts, the Joker Dragon from Dark Nights: Metal.
To complete, Jock illustrates the story and it's almost tailor built for his style.
February 6, 2026
So, apparently, the Joker is a couple of centuries old, and started as a child street performer in the late 1800’s, who made people laugh and overly suggestible by discreetly spraying crowds with Nitrous Oxide so they’d give him all their money.
As he got older and richer through investment, he got into philanthropy, especially children’s causes, helping build schools, orphanages, and hospitals, only so he could experiment with the cells of children and baby fetuses to develop some vile way to monstrously mutate himself, and become immortal. Then he repeatedly started faking his death and returning to society as his own child.
As the decades went by, He got even richer by becoming the major investor in both sides of every societal coin: funding both Right and Left-Leaning news agencies, the Nazi’s and the Allies, warlords and war relief aids, criminals and prisons, and even investing in entertainment, like film production, video game industries, and graphic cards, becoming a trillionaire off playing everyone against each other and having them all rely on him.
This has to be the coldest and most evil villain origin ever. This dude is Satan, the anti-Christ, Beheelzebub, bro funded Hitler and uses babies to mutate himself, there’s no topping that shit. We also find out that Bruce has been looking up Absolute Wonder Woman, and I think he might actually want her help with fixing Waylon. 5-star issue, can’t wait for the crossover in the next one, Diana vs. Bruce! Let’s fucking Goooo!!!.
As he got older and richer through investment, he got into philanthropy, especially children’s causes, helping build schools, orphanages, and hospitals, only so he could experiment with the cells of children and baby fetuses to develop some vile way to monstrously mutate himself, and become immortal. Then he repeatedly started faking his death and returning to society as his own child.
As the decades went by, He got even richer by becoming the major investor in both sides of every societal coin: funding both Right and Left-Leaning news agencies, the Nazi’s and the Allies, warlords and war relief aids, criminals and prisons, and even investing in entertainment, like film production, video game industries, and graphic cards, becoming a trillionaire off playing everyone against each other and having them all rely on him.
This has to be the coldest and most evil villain origin ever. This dude is Satan, the anti-Christ, Beheelzebub, bro funded Hitler and uses babies to mutate himself, there’s no topping that shit. We also find out that Bruce has been looking up Absolute Wonder Woman, and I think he might actually want her help with fixing Waylon. 5-star issue, can’t wait for the crossover in the next one, Diana vs. Bruce! Let’s fucking Goooo!!!.
December 12, 2025
Absolute Batman #15 is a strong, unsettling chapter that leans hard into horror. This issue delivers a chilling take on the Joker’s origin, with Jock’s atmospheric art setting an eerie tone throughout.
This opening of a new arc deepens the world and pushes the story into darker, more interesting territory. Creepy, engaging, and genuinely fun — it left me eager to see where this version of Batman and Joker goes next.
This opening of a new arc deepens the world and pushes the story into darker, more interesting territory. Creepy, engaging, and genuinely fun — it left me eager to see where this version of Batman and Joker goes next.
December 10, 2025
My reaction to the joker while reading this issue:
Evil Evil Evil!!!!!
Scott Snyder genuinely was trying his hardest these past few months to let us know this guy was evil, he succeeded
After seeing his introduction and past, this isn't Absolute Joker, nah this is Absolute Satan, Absolute Elton musk, Absolute Jeffrey espetin and a little bit of classic Batman mixed together
Evil Evil Evil!!!!!
Scott Snyder genuinely was trying his hardest these past few months to let us know this guy was evil, he succeeded
After seeing his introduction and past, this isn't Absolute Joker, nah this is Absolute Satan, Absolute Elton musk, Absolute Jeffrey espetin and a little bit of classic Batman mixed together
February 1, 2026
Honestly, I was very worried when I first laid eyes on this Joker design. But this issue is the origin story and I should have just relied on my faith in Snyder to come up with something that really works even though it takes everything and spins it. Very intriguing, very frightening, yet still vaguely familiar where it counts and I can’t wait to keep reading.
March 27, 2026
THE JOKER
Dec 2025
"see..young Jack Grimm often performed outside a dentist's office.In the 1880s they'd only just introduced nitrous oxide- laughing gas"
following the collected Vol2...a one off issue introducing the Absolute Joker.
Creepy enough and brave to wait till #15.
Dec 2025
"see..young Jack Grimm often performed outside a dentist's office.In the 1880s they'd only just introduced nitrous oxide- laughing gas"
following the collected Vol2...a one off issue introducing the Absolute Joker.
Creepy enough and brave to wait till #15.
January 15, 2026
...risos
December 10, 2025
The Joker was Bruce and Bruce could be the Joker if things hadn’t turned the other way. This was the most chilling villain I’ve ever seen. Not only did the Joker probably create the Batman, he’s the one responsible for everything. Loved it.
December 18, 2025
Jason u are so cooked
December 25, 2025
It has has interesting ideas but lets see where this will go.
December 10, 2025
Absolute Joker is completely and utterly terrifying. He feels like the kind of fictional character you’d hear about as a kid that would genuinely haunt you for years.
The way Scott Snyder has reimagined this iconic villain is nothing short of incredible, and he deserves every ounce of praise for the creativity on display here.
This origin is riveting, violent, thrilling, and packed with a special kind of horror that keeps you on edge while still giving you that hope—that someday, this evil might actually be stopped.
And that ending twist? I thought I saw it coming… but it still felt too bizarre to be real. Joker having parallels to the classic Batman mythos is such a bold and fascinating choice for this series.
This run is, without a doubt, the best comic series of the year for me.
The way Scott Snyder has reimagined this iconic villain is nothing short of incredible, and he deserves every ounce of praise for the creativity on display here.
This origin is riveting, violent, thrilling, and packed with a special kind of horror that keeps you on edge while still giving you that hope—that someday, this evil might actually be stopped.
And that ending twist? I thought I saw it coming… but it still felt too bizarre to be real. Joker having parallels to the classic Batman mythos is such a bold and fascinating choice for this series.
This run is, without a doubt, the best comic series of the year for me.
January 1, 2026
Jock is an amazing artist! Love this choice of guest artist. It compellingly rivals the Bane issue illustrated by Clay Mann.
Love the creative direction to make Joker an eldritch Stephen-King-esque centuries old boogeyman. It’s different to usual, but unique enough to feel real. There’s a palpable sense of dread to the body horror and in-book societal implications to how the Joker acts the way it does. Love the focus on fundamental power imbalances and “the top 1% ruling everything” as a theme. Issue 15 is a good demonstration of those themes the team has been building up.
Horrifying shit!
Not really looking forward to issue 16’s crossover but oh well, it is what it is.
Love the creative direction to make Joker an eldritch Stephen-King-esque centuries old boogeyman. It’s different to usual, but unique enough to feel real. There’s a palpable sense of dread to the body horror and in-book societal implications to how the Joker acts the way it does. Love the focus on fundamental power imbalances and “the top 1% ruling everything” as a theme. Issue 15 is a good demonstration of those themes the team has been building up.
Horrifying shit!
Not really looking forward to issue 16’s crossover but oh well, it is what it is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2025
Love the subversion. Cannot wait to see more Joker!
December 10, 2025
“He’s the Joker.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2025
Peak. My favorite comic book villain for a reason.
December 10, 2025
i haven’t been this invested in a comic run in at least 10 years. the absolute universe is absolutely fascinating on many levels and it’s working for me on every single one.
the last few pages of this issue have been foreshadowed and teased but seeing it was still shocking.
darkseid fuckjng with batman in uniquely twisted ways. RIP, Bruce, because you’re screwed, man.
the last few pages of this issue have been foreshadowed and teased but seeing it was still shocking.
darkseid fuckjng with batman in uniquely twisted ways. RIP, Bruce, because you’re screwed, man.
February 19, 2026
1. is he eating children
2. an insane origin story for the joker
3. had to blink twice bc jokers design is akin to a classic bruce wayne - godtier parallels and similarities between classic bruce and absolute devil - sorry joker
4. jason todd. get the hell out of gotham
2. an insane origin story for the joker
3. had to blink twice bc jokers design is akin to a classic bruce wayne - godtier parallels and similarities between classic bruce and absolute devil - sorry joker
4. jason todd. get the hell out of gotham
December 25, 2025
Oh lord... Holy me... Now, that is a nice take on the Joker. I am definitely going to like this. Esp now that Diana and Bruce are going to meet.
April 20, 2026
Gracias Jock por un arte tan precioso como para relamerse los dedos. Igual Dragotta y Martin por una portada que me puso la piel de gallina desde la vez que salió a imagen preliminar y gracias Snyder por darme un origen de villano épico destructivo, motivado únicamente por el caos y el poder.
Este Joker no sólo se transforma en una bestia antropófaga, sino que cuando no está cazando humanos en sus múltiples islas privadas, está ocupado en sus deberes filantrópicos para con las infancias, ah y en sus tiempos libres se dedica a utilizar neonatos para regenerar sus ¿células? ¿sangre? con el punto de seguir viviendo por siglos. A sabiendas que su único interés es el poder absoluto, tanto que en aquellos años incluso financió a los nazis; el riesgo siendo que no tiene un sólo equipo o creencia. Él es su propio dios.
Todo esto lo sabemos por la versión curada de Alfred y sobre todo, por sus propias creencias, que acompañadas de un GRAN storytelling con los dibujos, tenemos razones de sobra para temerle tal como él lo hace.
Me pican los ojos de ansias por seguir leyendo más del joker, ya me quiero encontrar con los Robins y ver cómo todo el caos -y angst- se va a desenvolver. Yo sé bien que acabaré rotísima así como cuando me arrebataron a mi grupo de amigos favoritos, pero no quiere decir que no me guste.
Este Joker no sólo se transforma en una bestia antropófaga, sino que cuando no está cazando humanos en sus múltiples islas privadas, está ocupado en sus deberes filantrópicos para con las infancias, ah y en sus tiempos libres se dedica a utilizar neonatos para regenerar sus ¿células? ¿sangre? con el punto de seguir viviendo por siglos. A sabiendas que su único interés es el poder absoluto, tanto que en aquellos años incluso financió a los nazis; el riesgo siendo que no tiene un sólo equipo o creencia. Él es su propio dios.
Todo esto lo sabemos por la versión curada de Alfred y sobre todo, por sus propias creencias, que acompañadas de un GRAN storytelling con los dibujos, tenemos razones de sobra para temerle tal como él lo hace.
Me pican los ojos de ansias por seguir leyendo más del joker, ya me quiero encontrar con los Robins y ver cómo todo el caos -y angst- se va a desenvolver. Yo sé bien que acabaré rotísima así como cuando me arrebataron a mi grupo de amigos favoritos, pero no quiere decir que no me guste.
January 21, 2026
Now for 'The Joker' arc!!!
As it is in this 'Absolute' series there are the 'Absolute' twists with each character... Batman fans are all aware of the orgins of the rogues gallery and in Absolute batman we have been treated to unique versions of a host of characters that have been introduced and its always been a treat!... The Joker is no exception here but what you would expect is Synder to go off the rails a little for one of Batmans most iconic characters..... SNYDER GOES OFF!!!! (In a great way)
Agent Pennyworth has supplied a demanding Batman with the run down of what he knows about The Joker.... and of what Agent Pennyworth actually 'believes' about The Joker!!!.... What happens next for Batman now is anyones guess and I'm rightly excited about it!!!
Shout out to Jock on the panels this time... a long time fan of his work and Dragotta has some serious competition here!! Dragotta is on the Cover work though!! 5 star art all round!!
As it is in this 'Absolute' series there are the 'Absolute' twists with each character... Batman fans are all aware of the orgins of the rogues gallery and in Absolute batman we have been treated to unique versions of a host of characters that have been introduced and its always been a treat!... The Joker is no exception here but what you would expect is Synder to go off the rails a little for one of Batmans most iconic characters..... SNYDER GOES OFF!!!! (In a great way)
Agent Pennyworth has supplied a demanding Batman with the run down of what he knows about The Joker.... and of what Agent Pennyworth actually 'believes' about The Joker!!!.... What happens next for Batman now is anyones guess and I'm rightly excited about it!!!
Shout out to Jock on the panels this time... a long time fan of his work and Dragotta has some serious competition here!! Dragotta is on the Cover work though!! 5 star art all round!!
February 24, 2026
Wow. This issue just reinforced to me how uninterested I am in the character of the Joker, as a general observation.
I've always shied away from the work of Scott Snyder and maybe it had a little bit to do with his preponderance to use the Joker, so as a result I was reading Absolute Batman from the beginning, yet when I did get around to picking up the odd issue, they had blown me away.
But this one didn't work for me. The way Pennyworth kept building the story up, for reveals that didn't surprise me (Ok, the cave at the end is a good twist, but somehow I think that had already been spoiled for me)
Ok. Absolute Wonder Woman is next issue. That should reignite my passion for this series.
I've always shied away from the work of Scott Snyder and maybe it had a little bit to do with his preponderance to use the Joker, so as a result I was reading Absolute Batman from the beginning, yet when I did get around to picking up the odd issue, they had blown me away.
But this one didn't work for me. The way Pennyworth kept building the story up, for reveals that didn't surprise me (Ok, the cave at the end is a good twist, but somehow I think that had already been spoiled for me)
Ok. Absolute Wonder Woman is next issue. That should reignite my passion for this series.
January 12, 2026
This was one dark and intriguing story about the Joker. Scott blended horror and mystery really well here. Alfred’s theory is absolutely crazy for this Joker. I’m looking forward to seeing more in future issues!
December 11, 2025
"He's a classic American success story."
December 12, 2025
Jesus H. Christ
January 22, 2026
sorry to joker haters out there like idc if he’s over used he’s gunna eat every time (no pun intended x)
January 23, 2026
Building to some Pennywise level mythos here.. obsessed
April 5, 2026
One of the best single issues I have ever read!
May 2, 2026
Pretty solid, but not the best.
December 16, 2025
A great setup for the next arc and an introduction to this version of the Joker. I am so excited for where this story is going and getting Absolute WW in the fray just sweetens the deal. The art is also very fitting and moody.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews