Absolute Batman (2024-) #18

Absolute Batman (2024) (Single Issues)

by Scott Snyder, Eric Canete (Artist)

After the explosive reveal ending last issue, and Batman continues to fight Poison Ivy's mutated monsters and winds up uncovering an even more gruesome horror that has embedded itself in the city's very foundations. All while the Joker's machinations start to coalesce in a partnership with a new ally.

Genres: Comics, Batman, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Crime, Comix

Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2026

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why bother with pre-workout when you can just read Absolute Batman?

[Machiavelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This issue really leans into the horror side of the Absolute universe, and I loved it.

Poison Ivy completely steals the show here. She’s genuinely unsettling in this version — far more monstrous and eerie than usual — and the book pushes hard into some great eco-horror territory. It really feels like an “Absolute Batman” version of Ivy, which is a lot of fun to see.

What I liked most is how much Ivy forces Bruce to adapt. Instead of being ten steps ahead like usual, he’s reacting in real time and trying to figure out how to deal with a threat that doesn’t follow his normal rules. Watching him adjust on the fly adds a lot of tension to the story.

The art absolutely sells the horror elements. The plant-horror imagery fits perfectly with the tone of this book, and the heavy shadows and atmosphere make Gotham feel oppressive and dangerous.

The larger plot only moves forward a little, but as an Ivy-focused chapter it works really well.

Really loving what this book is doing with Batman’s rogues.

[Jadyn❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wild issue. Really intense. I’m so glad they kept the essence of Ivy— someone who has noble goals, but drastic, immoral execution of those goals. Despite everything she believes and everything that’s happened to her, she holds desperately onto her humanity.
Meanwhile, Bruce has to decide how much he’s willing to sacrifice to what Batman has become. His continued efforts to reach out to his friends, as well as an unopened voicemail from his mom, keep him tethered to his own humanity. He has a chat with Mayor Gordon that had to be my favorite part of the whole issue, and not just because it was an awesome Barbara moment. Juxtaposed between the action of the fight with Ivy where Officer Barbara returns to help, Bruce makes a choice that solidifies what kind of Batman characterization the creative team has chosen to commit to.
There are a lot of characters in the fold in this issue that I haven’t even mentioned (like Martha and the Court of Owls, Alfred, Harley Quinn and the Red Hood Gang, Dick, and Bruce’s childhood friends excepting Selina), and they are all primed to make choices about their goals and behavior that will impact Gotham moving forward. It’s all quite exciting, even if I’m not totally sold on the direction they’re taking Batman in next.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was juggling way too much but still it was solid.

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE SEVENTH KINGDOM PT.2
March 2026

" why are we fighting Batman? We're on the same side"

The most interesting aspect of this was probably Martha's past history to the Court of Owls.

[Neil Pearson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 issues into reading this title and I'm hoping this two part story was a blip. I found the writing confusing in the sense the story had at least 3 threads running together and in at least 2 different time points. There was a lot going on and it felt disjointed in places. Again, the art made this confusing too as even using different colour schemes could have helped differentiate past and present.

So what are the positives? The resolution to the Ivy problem was a bit surprising in that it showed this Batman is indeed darker and makes ethical decisions that regular Batman would take issue with. This keeps the reader on their toes as this isn't an IP that needs protecting - that's what the main continuity is for irrespective of this title's sales. That's reassuring as market forces could have them pause with such story beats.

I also like how Bruce's family dynamic works and how tragic this version is because we are so familiar with regular orphan Batman.

The artwork regarding the fighting with Ivy was great - it was just the right balance of hellish madness and I appreciate the effort in drawing Ivy's constantly shifting form.

This arc just felt a little too rushed (not in production but pacing), especially with all the side stories, when I think the action could have deserved more space. Again, this isn't really the creators' fault but there was so much hype regarding Absolute Ivy, and relatively little of her in the end. The amount of side stories also left this feeling incomplete as well as rushed and has me considering whether it may read better in a trade collection? It all depends on how many of them are resolved within a collection - I don't mind long threads but it's nice for a collection to have some central "meat" around it.

It might be the series is still experimenting, which I'm fine with, but I preferred the one-shot stories so far over this two-parter. No slight to Canette, but I also look forward to Dragotta's return as he has made this book very much his own. I'd like to see Canete on a title that either has a lot of young characters, or has a particular focus on demons/hell. Maybe a brother blood vs titans arc, Dr Strange/academy, or Ghost Rider?

Like I mentioned, I'm intrigued by the darker path but this one just felt a bit too frenetic for me when some breathing space could have improved clarity and the central story.

Overall = 3/5
Writing = 3/5
Art = 3/5

Will I read the next issue? Yes

Wait for the trade collection? It might be this 2 part story but I'm thinking this would read better in trade.

Did I need to read previous issues/series? At least the previous issue, all of them regarding Martha.

Will I read previous issues? Yes, in trade.

[Paulina ෂ · Rating 5 out of 5]

. . . ¿Bruce?

Bueno, por lo visto Snyder ha decidido que soy su marioneta personal y me puede hacer y deshacer cuantas veces quiera (tiene razón). Porque a ver, sí, Batman se enfrenta a Ivy y termina por derrotarla destruyendo lo único que la hacía humana aún. Pero el caso aquí es que con este enfrentamiento Bruce terminó de cambiar por completo, de "evolucionar"; es una persona diferente al inicio y al final de este número y no sé si pueda decir que para "bien".

Al inicio todavía se ve un Bruce preocupado por sus amigos, visitándolos todos los días a la espera de que se dignen a dirigirle aunque sea una palabra, siempre sin conseguirlo. Bruce debatiéndose qué más puede hacer, quién realmente es el símbolo. ¿Al final? Ya no se presenta con sus amigos (justo cuando nosotrxs lxs lectores sabemos qué pasó con Waylon), decide romper con lo que conocía para convertirse en algo más.

También tenemos estos guiños a Jack, a Dick, Alfred siendo mandado para echarle un ojo al mismísimo Batman y reuniéndose con Harley (¿pro o contra él?), a Martha intentando reanimar a los Court of Owl ¿y siendo atacada? ¡Ah! y los Gordon haciendo de las suyas: el padre mostrando sus cartas sobre conocimiento de Batman con Bruce, y la hija ofreciendo un equipo. La historia se sigue entrelazando y yo vivo por y para ella.

PD: TODOS DECIMOS GRACIAS CANETE. ¿Usar tramas? ¿En esta economía? Sigo amando su estilo, cómo dibuja a Bruce, las expresiones, los colores de Martin. Guauuuu. Entre Dragotta y Canete he encontrado a algunos de mis ilustradores favoritos de entre los cómics.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Absolute Batman universe is just straight up body horror and it's awesome. Each issue just keeps getting better and better. Poison Ivy has always been one of my favorite Batman rogues going all the way back to watching BTAS as a kid (she was my first "do I want to be her or be with her" long before I even knew what that meant lol). And she is terrifying and tragic here. Really curious to see how this series will deal with Batman's decision here!
If you've never read a comic or haven't in a while, I don't think you can go wrong with starting with the Absolute series.

[Craig Schorling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great issue! Love Ivy in this and the moments with Gordon hit too. This series is so wild and crazy in all the best ways.

[Nikhil Math]

Interesting.

Maybe I am bad at reading comics but I am not fully understanding the dialog or what is happening.

Batman looks cool as hell though.

[nik · Rating 5 out of 5]

would give this one six stars if i could

[Keegan Schueler · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an awesome issue on its own just reshaping the absolute Batman world. Love the story in this that was setup in the last issue and just how much is all going on but is all just so good to read. Great mini arc with Ivy and just really enjoyed all the characters getting moments in this.

[Colin Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank Martin’s coloring is the undersung glue that connects every issue of this book into a bigger whole. He makes the eerie, gritty, just-kind-of-off vibe of Absolute Gotham, where somehow even weirder monsters roam than in the mainline Gotham. This Poison Ivy, a truly horrible and beautiful patchwork, is maybe the most terrifying yet (no, that’s still the Joker). I do hope we get more of whatever the Absolute’s version of the Green/Red is — dare I call for an Absolute Animal Man???

[Cybernex007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oooh, well that is a troubling development for Bruce. But wow was that a spectacular issue, seeing Bruce pop off and not hold back against Ivy’s plant creatures as he knew he wasn’t really killing anyone is a sight to see. But the motivations that led to the end of this issue still confound me, but in the best possible way as I see all of the struggles Bruce is currently facing as it pulls him down and away from everything he loves, forcing him to evolve. But before we get into Bruce I want to focus on Martha, as she knew the rules and she broke them…you don’t speak of the court of owls or they will send a talon for you. And in this case the talons came in the form of an ATV which bagged her head in the middle of New Mexico and drove off. Martha broke the rules because she believed the risk was worth it due to what’s happening in Gotham, they need the court and she knows that better than any because she used to be a talon herself!! In this world the court isn’t a secret rich organization puppeteering power, the evil people in power can be in the open freely…so the world responds by making the court an organization which fought against the rich and powerful from the shadows…or at least that’s what they used to be before “he” (probably joker) crushed them. Martha broke the rules to get them back together to try and inspire that back into them, to get them fighting again. We don’t see exactly what happens with this group, but the last panel we do see is Martha looking shocked at one of them pulling the trigger. I would actually eat my shoe if Martha died, no way. But on the topic of Bruce’s family, let’s dive into his friends and his general mental state leading up to the fight with Ivy. We saw in the last issue that Batman’s explosive popularity is getting to him, made even worse by the fact that all of his friends have been driven away from him. He continually and desperately reaches out to them, trying to find Waylon in the sewers with the belief that hens to be turning back not becoming something worse. Ozzie continues to push him away via the goons he leaves outside the iceberg lounge, Nygma won’t open the door to any of Bruce’s riddles, and due to Dent’s connection to batman he has been put on leave. It’s hard not to blame yourself when everyone you care about in your life is either pushing you away or gone (like with his mom’s unexpected trip). Even worse, Alfred is getting reassigned by his superiors to watch after batman instead of Joker, even though joker is actively in the city as well. But there is still some hope on the horizon, even if batman can’t see it yet, as Harley and her gang have decided to stand up to help with Batman, somehow finding Alfred, and it seems that Dick Grayson (sleeping in his ambulance) is planning on something big soon. But Bruce can’t see any of the light right now, except for one…Gordon. After the incident last issue where Bruce destroyed a batman merch vendor’s booth, Gordon stepped in to stop him and talk to him off to the side…Gordon knows he is batman, it wasn’t hard to find a six foot nine, four hundred pound man and he did pull Bruce out of a pile of bats. Bruce’s mom doesn’t know yet, Gordon thinks she is in a self defensive denial about it. And for the first time Bruce has someone he can genuinely talk to about this situation without thinking about it strategically (cough cough Alfred). Bruce feels like to win, after batman has become so big, he has to become something darker. Gordon really doesn’t have any advice, but he does have some he can steal from his daughter…”a tree grows tallest when you care for its roots.” Gordon knows Bruce has good roots and that he will make the right choice when the time comes, but that doesn’t mean he can’t take a few wrong turns getting there, which brings us back to the main fight between Ivy and Bruce this issue…


Things start off desperately enough picking back up from the last issue, as Bruce is ripping and tearing through Ivy clones, keeping his mask on the entire time to prevent her from taking him over, all while trying to get any weakness he can from Alfred’s intelligence…but Ivy is connected to all life, she feels the green, the red, and even the black, and using a mix of rare spores and animal noises she is able to block out Bruce’s communication with Alfred. We continue to flash back to the beginnings of Ivy, after the lab incident where she was taken down by the powerful people that fund her, all that was left was a heart which was preserved in a jar and even given for her mother to see. But unknown to her mother Ivy was still alive, more alive than she ever had been, and all she desperately wanted to do from within that jar was reach out and touch her mother. As her mother left she could feel the black creeping up on her and she could sense her mother would die later that day, but they strong emotion gave her the push to break free and rebuild out from the heart to grow something new and to climb upwards like Ivy. But in the present day all Ivy wants is for Batman to join with her and become one with her as her knight so they can work together. They both want to reshape things across the city and whether he likes it or not change is coming. Ivy can see all throughout the ecosystem of the city, she sees the worst of them dancing it up while they despise the people like batman ruining their plans…and the worst of them is here too, the horned king, Joker. Ivy more than anyone believes they have to stop him, after she broke free from that jar they used noise guns, like the one batman is fighting to get back to, to keep her locked away and pulled apart…until one day Batman came stumbling in like a wild naked beast. This inspired Ivy, she realized she had a chance if she pretended to join with them as they gave her the chance to come out here, to pop up these huge personal ecosystem in Gotham, to finally fight back against the ones coming to threaten any change. Ivy clams that if batman could evolve on his own he might be able to stop joker…but he isn’t, so Ivy believes her method to be best. She has setup a hive of spies to explode over the city to change it in one giant swoop, one large beautiful new kingdom. Batman can’t have her do this, but while he is tied down by vibes and Ivy is distracted…Barbara Gordon fought her way back up and was able to free him. Barbara is ready to get out of here but batman can’t leave until he knows the spore threat is neutralized. Barbara tries to explain about something two flights down, but batman clams they don’t have time…so taking the sonic weapon he rips into Ivy with it. It doesn’t destroy her but it confirms something he suspected, while they were fighting as she got into his head he got into hers and saw her past and he can now see the last piece of herself that she has refused to evolve…her heart. She kept the last bit of her human self. Sure he could destroy it and she could easily rebuild a new one…but it wouldn’t be the same one her mother held. Ivy may climb, but it also clings and he suspects Ivy doesn’t want to loose that last part of herself. As the rest of the police force is infiltrating the building, armed with more sonic canons, Ivy accepts Batman’s deal to destroy the spores in exchange for her heart. They got up in a fury and Ivy claims that batman has only doomed everyone due to his human weakness. He agrees that he has been weak…but he doesn’t have to be anymore. Suddenly he activates the gun and destroys her heart anyway…he broke his deal. With SWAT approaching Barbara leads the way to their escape as SWAT secured I h while she is screaming about killing batman. Barbara is confused as to what happened back there, why he went back on the promise and destroyed her heart anyway. Batman explains that she said to fight what’s coming he needed to evolve…he took her advice and maybe they all should. As the issue comes to an end we once again check in on Bruce’s friends…but he isn’t there. He isn’t outside Ozzie’s door, Nygma is looking longingly at the screen to see if Bruce will show up with a new riddle, and Waylon is alone and confused, back to his human self, in the sewers…with Bruce no where to be found, ending the issue aura farming on a rooftop. He is on one of his classic batman lone wolf arcs and I can’t wait for this batman to fully realize he can’t do it alone…hmmm, maybe that’s why Robin has been teased so heavily lately.

[Seth Daub · Rating 5 out of 5]

really awesome. the action was very well drawn and scripted. i loved the talk between bruce and gordon on the bench.

the issue also balanced a lot of things happening really well

[Juliano Stefani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though the back and forth narrative didn’t catch me, the idea being developed is still good!

[Garfielduf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Waylon my beloved

[AviChaim Snyder · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this issue quite a bit, though I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s the strongest installment of the series so far. That said, the consequences of what happens here could end up being a major turning point for the story moving forward.
The fight between Poison Ivy and Batman was a highlight and a lot of fun to read, but it almost felt secondary to the larger focus of the issue. The story is much more centered on Bruce’s relationships with the people closest to him, particularly his friends and family. Like the previous issue, the emotional dynamics take center stage, but they feel even more pronounced here. Bruce is beginning to realize that as Gotham grows darker and more dangerous, he may have to evolve along with it. It seems like the series is hinting that this evolution could come at the cost of his humanity.
I also really enjoyed Gordon’s conversation with Bruce. It was a strong character moment, though at times it almost felt like Gordon was rubbing Bruce’s nose in the history between him and Bruce’s mother. Still, the dialogue added an interesting layer to their relationship.
The artwork was very enjoyable throughout the issue. I do miss Dragota’s style, but Canete has done an excellent job stepping in for the last two issues and brings plenty of energy to the visuals.
Overall, I would definitely recommend this issue. It may not be the best in the run so far, but it feels like an important chapter that could set up some major developments ahead.
Grade: B+

[Ali · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fucking great issue, I love how all of the characters fit the setting so well. What I mean by that is that Absolute Poison Ivy, the Court of Owls, and the Joker they all still feel fundamentally the same at their core. But the setting puts them in a different situation, so they’re not exactly the same as in the main continuity. At the same time, it doesn’t feel out of character for them to act the way they do. It just feels new, distinct, and fresh.

I also really love this issue because it’s finally Batman coming to terms with being Batman what he intended the symbol of Batman to be, and what it has become now that it’s out of his hands. He’s becoming something bigger than himself, and I love how it’s giving people hope. It’s very ironic, because Absolute Batman feels like such a hopeless world. The Absolute universe feels so bleak, but just because hope is scarce and hard to come by doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still fight for it, just an amazing issue definitely one of the best in a while.

[Jerry Aguirre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Batman was foreshadowing turning to the dark shade when he was battling with Bane. How he might have to become a monster to fight monsters , but in that process, will he lose himself.

In this issue we see Batman cold blooded. He destroys the only thing Ivy loves. He stops visiting his friends. He has given up doing the right thing, and is now doing what he thinks he has to do. Even if it means crossing a line between judge and executioner. Oh man this series is gonna get even BETTER !

Big themes here :

- Batman is mad at himself. Seems regretful that he didn’t take the offer from black mask or the warnings from Pennyworth. When he was offered the money, he should’ve taken it. When Pennyworth told him that he’s starting a war against thing outside of his experience.

- Batman is worried if Gotham got worse because he became Batman or was it going to get worse regardless. If so, what change has he really done, except cause a destruction of his friends.

- Alfred and Harley teaming up against BAT? We will see

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 4 out of 5]

NECESITABA tener algo más de esta nueva Corte de los Búhos antes de poder manifestar mi SORPRESA ante la decisión de que Martha Wayne forme parte de esta organización. Aunque en el panorama Absolute parece que por muy agresivos que sigan siendo sus métodos, esta orden secreta ya no forma parte de la élite Gothamita y sus deseos de control pasan por algo menos opresivo. Parecen guerrilleros sociales de los que seguramente Bruce termine liderando... Aunque este último parece que compensa esta balanza por la parte más oscura tras "finalizar" su enfrentamiento con la más ABSOLUTA (sic.) e inhumana Hiedra Venenosa. En esto parece que ni el apoyo moral que suele ser James Gordon calará en un Bruce que no deja de sentir que debe superar su humanidad con cada nuevo y monstruoso enemigo (la amenaza de Absolute Joker ya casi está aquí).

[Wm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute Dr. Isley is terrifying. After seeing AbsBatman's rogues' gallery begin as a trusted circle of friends, I've been surprised in a bad way to see how monstrous the gallery is. AbsFreeze and AbsJoker disappointed, and now AbsIvy does, too.

In canon DC, their humanity was still visible through their vile deeds. Now we see AbsBruce abandoning – shedding – his own humanity, and shredding what little remained of AbsIvy's.

As well-made as this book (usually) is, I sure hope Snyder knows what he's doing. He certainly has his mind on our IRL technoligarchs, their monstrous (often illegal or perversely legal) decisions, and the overall sociopathy currently leading the real world that seems, to me, to inform his art.

[Antonio Escobar · Rating 5 out of 5]

yo... Another banger of an issue. Each Month, we get a new issue of Absolute Batman, and it feels like watching Lionel Messi in his prime scoring hat tricks and working his magic.

This issue had some real words of wisdom (NEVER FORGET YOUR ROOTS) to some action to some reflection points for Bruce. A lot happened however it did not feel crunched up to me- everything connected smoothly.

Moving forward, we're definitely going to get some more "darker" and more "evolved" version of absolute batman—which is perfect for the next issues with absolute scarecrow, deathstroke and joker coming up.

I would give it 200 stars if i can

[Emiliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid ass issue

I love the story behind Bruce and how fed up he is with his current situation in life, but ultimately choosing… to say fuck it o damn ok wow. A nice turn of events that leads to Bruce focusing more on being Batman than trying to protect and connect with those he loves in his life and I feel like this will backfire on him hard. Poison Ivy is cool and I’m glad this won’t be the last we see her and yeah now it’s just the matter of what happens next when it comes to Scarecrow, Deathstroke, and the Joker….. good luck Batman.

[Jason Holtzman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This issue started to drag a little bit for me — it is word heavy and full of scene changes — but only really because I thought I knew what was coming. Then the last handful of pages completely upped the intensity and I was completely wrong.

I’m curious to see what exactly this change means for Bruce and if it will stick (I hope it does but almost doubt it will). Ivy was handled fantastically and I loved the conversation with Gordon. Jury is still out in regard to how I feel about Martha’s subplot.

[Derrick McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Delete message."

Gordon telling Bruce he knows Bruce is Batman is honestly such a good twist to all this. But the logic makes sense: WHO ELSE could be Batman BUT Bruce?

Love Snyder brings in his version of the Absolute Court of Owls. He created them, it only makes sense that he introduces them here.

Batman leaning into the darker side to do what needs to be done. Distancing himself of everyone else. Being something... else, like he needs to be.

God, Snyder can do no wrong with me.

[Xaanua]

: Número maravilloso en cuanto a evolución de Bruce. Toma una decisión en parte por el consejo que Jim le da, el cual se lo dio su hija. Me gusta que se mantenga la relación padre- hija y cómo Bárbara sigue guiando los pasos de su padre en este universo. También supone un punto de inflexión para Bruce- Batman, que se aleja de su esencia humana debido a la decisión que toma al final de este número. Cada vez tiene un tono más oscuro, que me encanta

[DonHeimscheißer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wasn’t a big fan of the are change for this arc, but the arc was fun. I like how they tackle Bruce’s friendships and family matters into this issue, and I’d like to see it play out. Also what’s up with Martha Wayne, did she get offed or was she able to convinced the court of owls? I guess we’ll find out soon.

[Riley Pilgrim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the direction Snyder is taking Martha and the court of owls in this universe. Really cool inversion. Loved the themes of change in this issue, and how Bruce thinks he must become something darker in order to protect Gotham—cutting off his roots/relationships. Lastly, loved that Waylon tease at the end.

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotionally heavy issue with an upsetting ending that feels very cruel.

Poison Ivy arc so far has been infinitely better than the Mr. Freeze one. It’s actually better written and more engaging. Plus, it actually affects the character of Batman. For better or for worse. We’ll have to wait and see.

Allowing for change but at what cost ?