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Absolute Batman (2024) (Single Issues)

Absolute Batman (2024-) #16

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Part two of our Absolute Batman/Absolute Wonder Woman story– Bruce Wayne is on a desperate hunt to help his friend Waylon, now transformed into a monstrous crocodile roaming the sewers, consumed with a deadly hunger. Batman’s last option for a cure is to turn to a god for help…but will he have to descend into the depths of hell to get it?

Kindle Edition

Published January 28, 2026

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About the author

Scott Snyder

1,755 books5,316 followers
Scott 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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5 stars
506 (61%)
4 stars
250 (30%)
3 stars
63 (7%)
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3 (<1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews
Profile Image for Anne.
4,864 reviews71.6k followers
April 9, 2026
Batman goes on a side quest to the Underworld.

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With all of his childhood friends turning against him, Bruce uses his newfound friendship with Diana (see Absolute Wonder Woman #15) & goes to Hell to try and find a cure for Waylon's Croc-itis.

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He meets up with his father in the afterlife, beats up mythical badasses with Diana, and basically learns the meaning of teamwork. <--I made up that last part. Sorta.

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Kind of a zany issue. I liked it.

Recommended.
Profile Image for mrglasswillbreak.
150 reviews37 followers
January 29, 2026
After meeting and befriending Diana in Absolute Wonder Woman #15, Bruce goes to see his friends at the hospital, but they still hate and blame him for what Bane did to them. Bruce summons Diana with the Talisman she gave him to ask for help in finding a way to fix Crocodile Waylon, whose hunger is becoming uncontrollable.

Diana takes Bruce to hell to find Akrolis, A mystical ancient Centaur who possesses an artifact of transformation that can help Waylon. On their way there, they exchange origin stories, and Diana helps Bruce communicate with his dead dad through a dream. They find Akrolis, who turns out to be a total douche that they have to fight to get what they want.

After some blow exchanges and back-and-forth tussling, they manage to beat Akrolis, but Bruce gets shot in the shoulder with an arrow that turns out to be the transformation artifact he needs. They return home, and he makes a necklace out of the arrow tip and gives it to Waylon, telling him to wear it and ensure it touches his skin. Too bad we don’t get to see Waylon use the necklace here.

Another Great, well-written issue, and kind of a funny one. Bruce and Diana’s dynamic is slowly getting better, and I loved the panel where they both yelled “We're not together” after Akrolis calls Bruce Diana’s mate.
Profile Image for Anna  Quilter.
1,900 reviews58 followers
March 27, 2026
BAT OUT OF HELL
January 2026

"Bruce...NEVER stand behind a Centaur "

Following Absolute Wonder Woman #15 ...Bruce gets to team up with Diana for a journey through hell.
674 reviews3 followers
January 31, 2026
This was my first pick for the week of January 28 and is my first issue of the title since issue 1 and the recent Ark-M special.

What I really like about this title (and several of the "absolute" books) is just how accessible they are. This is technically the second part of a Wonder Woman/Batman crossover and I didn't read the absolute Wonder Woman part that came out first but it really wasn't necessary - this is more a second adventure between the two. It also works fine without knowing anything about the preceding issues.

The tale itself fits nicely within the greek quest format allowing for a lot of fun between the two leads and for Dragotta to cut loose with the fantasy setting. Snyder is a generous writer when it comes to giving his artists some variety/possibly indulging a request from the artist. There's a great sequence showing the passage of time and various events of the quest that includes a great gag and it's just refreshing to see a comic do in a single issue what some would have made into a 6 part trade collection.

The artwork is excellent which is no surprise with Dragotta on board. I like how his designs for known characters have a unique spin and tend towards the more monstrous/exaggerated. There is some great action but some of his best work this issue is in the body language of and between Batman and Wonder Woman as they embark on their quest. There's a comfortable ease and familiarity between the two characters which works well in a world where these two characters barely know each other but already have mutual respect as warriors.

The colouring also deserves credit as it helps conjure up the difference between the real world and underworld.

The issue is hard to fault other than it maybe not being a typical issue - how often does Batman fight monsters in the underworld? I'd argue it's a strength that the title is flexible enough to do a fantasy issue. There isn't an immediate reason to read the next issue beyond the overall quality and the fact the next issue features absolute Poison Ivy (reason enough). Another plus is that this was my first exposure to absolute Wonder Woman and she seemed interesting enough to try out her title. I imagine this is one of the main goals of crossover issues - to encourage readers to try out the other title. Mission accomplished.


Overall = 5/5
Writing = 5/5
Art = 5/5

Will I read the next issue? Yes

Did I need to read previous issues/series? No

Will I read previous issues? Definitely in TPB. Bonus - I'll check out the Absolute Wonder Woman title too.
Profile Image for Colin Post.
1,207 reviews4 followers
February 1, 2026
The cover alone could earn this one 5 stars, and then the content itself is pretty amazing too! Absolute Batman on a journey through a mythological realm, encountering monsters à la Gotham but on a whole different level, is fantastic. I love the relationship developing between Bruce and Diana, distinct from the relationship between their main line counterparts in that they’re both quite naive and new to the endeavor of world saving but also more jaded by coming of age in Hell/absolute universe Gotham.
Profile Image for Machiavelli.
1,065 reviews26 followers
January 30, 2026
Just finished Absolute Batman #16 and I really loved this issue. The descent into a hellish, mythic space felt earned and deeply personal for Bruce, not just spectacle for spectacle’s sake. The character moments hit hard, and the art does a phenomenal job carrying both the emotional weight and the larger supernatural stakes. A standout chapter that makes the Absolute Universe feel ambitious and purposeful. Love the fighting!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jadyn❀.
656 reviews
January 29, 2026
One of my favorite issues so far, and not even because I am biased in favor of Absolute Diana! I really like this version of Bruce, and I love the aspect of Batman that’s highlighted in this issue— he’s better with friends. Hes also trying so hard on a human, interpersonal level. He’s not as egotistical (or confident?) as Bruce normally is, so he comes across even more vulnerable. I love that about him. I appreciate the trust he’s able to put into Diana after only knowing her for a short time.
I also really liked Absolute Lucius Fox telling Absolute Bruce to touch grass. 10/10 no notes
Profile Image for dusty.
78 reviews1 follower
January 28, 2026
I feel like I say this every issue, but it continues to be true.. Scott Snyder and team simply DO NOT miss!

Absolute Batman remains brutal, action-packed, and relentlessly dark, but this issue stood out by focusing on Bruce in a way that felt deeply emotional and profoundly human. His interactions with Ozzie and Harv carry real weight, and as the story unfolds, watching Bruce grapple with the choice he made to become Batman (and what that choice has cost him) is both moving and heartbreaking. The emotional peak of the issue comes when Diana gives Bruce a special elixir that allows him to communicate with his late father. Those pages hit HARD and easily stand out as the highlight of the entire issue.

And that’s saying something, because this issue also features a crossover with Wonder Woman!! I really loved their first crossover, and it felt natural that this second one functioned more as a continuation of Bruce and Diana’s growing bond rather than another introduction. Diana plays a significant role here, much like Bruce did in their first meeting, while still allowing Batman’s story to remain front and center. One of the coolest elements is seeing Wonder Woman introduce Batman to a much broader world of magic, gods, and cosmic forces. Bruce is beginning to truly understand the scope of the world he’s operating in and the larger forces at play. It’s exciting!!

Another absolute (no pun intended) win for this run. I can’t wait to see where Bruce’s story goes next.. and when we’ll get the next Absolute team-up (please be Superman).
Profile Image for Paulina ෂ.
809 reviews
April 20, 2026
¿Algún día voy a dejar de llorar con los cómics de Batman? En verdad espero que no.

No sólo es el reencuentro de Diana con Bruce (y un chiste muy menso pero que me botó de la risa "Es ese..." "¿Un cíclope? Sí, no lo mires al ojo..." "¿O me matará?" "No, sólo es de mala educación ¿por qué te mataría?" JAJA) Sino que es Bruce intentando encontrar una cura para Waylon, por lo que se va de aventura con Diana a sus lares para pelear por el artefacto que le conseguirá ese favor. ¿Cuál fue la parte emotiva? Para mí, no sólo que Bruce esté dispuesto a seguir luchando para traer a Waylon de regreso, dado que Harvey y Ozzie lo corrieron prácticamente de su visita; pero sobre todo es también el hecho de que así fuese sueño, visión o encuentro, Bruce logra tener unas ¿últimas? palabras con su padre, donde éste admite no haber sido un héroe por salvarlos, sino por lo que hizo antes de: ser un padre. (( ༎ຶ⌑༎ຶ )) No puedo pasar por alto cuando Diana le dice que deben regresar a Bruce intentando darle un último adiós.

A pesar de las lágrimas, siento que este número fue el o de los más ligeros que nos hemos encontrado en Absolute Batman, ya que hasta tiempo de resolución cómica tuvimos con Alfred intentando darle de comer a Croc. Tengo miedo de lo que se venga.
1,946 reviews4 followers
January 28, 2026
A good single issue all about Bruce fighting back and trying to help his friends, even if they hate him. I’m glad he got to say goodbye to his father as well.
Profile Image for Antonio Escobar.
151 reviews2 followers
February 6, 2026
Every page of this issue ties together; from beginning to end
Another masterpiece and again, I am so hype to see what the future of absolute Batman will bring

The series is a modern day masterpiece and we keep eating with it

Absolute Wonder Woman and Batman duo= iconic

Just waiting for the day we get the absolute trinity debut when they’re all together
Profile Image for Zoey.
571 reviews6 followers
February 14, 2026
YESSS!!!

First of all, the panel of Wonder Woman carrying him is too good.

Also, I’m so glad that his dad talked some sense into him. The best he can do for his friends is to just keep showing up, rebuilding everyday.

Hopefully the arrowhead is able to heal Waylon.
Profile Image for nat.
316 reviews
January 29, 2026
i have to go back and read the rest of absolute batman but i enjoyed
Profile Image for Craig Schorling.
3,031 reviews13 followers
February 2, 2026
Damn near perfection! SO much happens in this issue but it flows so well and doesn't feel crammed. I love this team up and all the new faces appearing in this series. The moments with his father were incredibly touching.
Profile Image for Egghead.
3,485 reviews
February 24, 2026
bruce and diana
tackle a centaur in hell
that's a must-read book
Profile Image for Mikey Baker.
1,068 reviews2 followers
March 10, 2026
Batman joins Wonder Woman on a greek style adventure between worlds.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Sam Theriault.
14 reviews
April 11, 2026
disappointing! felt very rushed and I'm not sure if Snyder really nails Absolute WW's dialogue
Profile Image for Douglas Yannaghas.
219 reviews
May 25, 2026
Hell yeah, underworld adventures where Batman doesn't just get to win "because he's Batman". Loving the Diana/Bruce dynamic. Hope we get more of them together.
Profile Image for Zach.
111 reviews
June 3, 2026
I like this version of Wonder Woman
Profile Image for spencer.
241 reviews3 followers
January 30, 2026
The funniest Absolute issue of any of them
Profile Image for Bennett.
640 reviews1 follower
February 5, 2026
Mentally preparing to cry when all the notorious Batman villains actually become villains.
Profile Image for Jessica DeLuna.
14 reviews
April 16, 2026
I just need you to understand that Batman is 6’9” and Wonder Woman is looking down at him
Profile Image for Clarissa.
230 reviews2 followers
February 19, 2026
laughing at diana and bruces dynamic between the tears of bruce seeing his dad
Displaying 1 - 30 of 117 reviews