Absolute Batman (2024-) #19

by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta (Artist)

Poison Ivy proved to be just one of the many horrors within the bowels of the ARK M facility, and as Joker sets his sights on Absolute Batman, he decides to enlist the help of one of the center's most terrifying doctors, Dr. Jonathan Crane. While Bruce Wayne tries to align himself with Barbara Gordon, there's more than one alliance formed in this issue. New debuts,new villains, new arc starts here.

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

Kindle Edition

Published April 15, 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

[Michael Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the things I most enjoy about Absolute Batman is the simple fact that I never really know what to expect from issue to issue, except that it's going to take what we know from the traditional Bat-line, punch it in the face, and make it stand on its head in admirably horrific ways.

This one marks the debut of Scarecrow and he couldn't be further from the mainline DC version. Christ, just look at him! Dragotta stages the opening pages of Snyder's script to wonderfully awful effect, expertly teasing us with what's to come with methodical precision, and then BOOM! The whole sequence is unnerving and makes for one hell of an iconic introduction that feels downright apocalyptic. The mainline DC Scarecrow is a nutjob with a medical degree. Absolute Scarecrow is a harbinger of doom, a horsemen of the apocalypse that's just stepped out of Stephen King's The Stand.

And then it just keeps going. It doesn't fucking stop. Snyder piles on several other shocking sequences, along with a few wonderfully tender moments of character development. There's a small scene between Bruce and Waylon that's a heck of a tear-jerker, while Harley provides some much needed comic relief amidst all the darkness. And there's a lot of darkness to be sure, particularly as Snyder and Dragotta queue things up for the cliffhanger and tease the events of the next issue, letting their manga-inspired freak flags fly as even more visitors come to Gotham.

Where's all this headed? I don't fucking know. I don't even want to try guessing at this point. All I know is, I'm hooked and am here for every single bat-nasty issue these guys put together.

[Ksenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would give it 6 ⭐️ if I could! These madmen did it again!! I was swinging between "jaw on the floor" and "grinning ear to ear" from the first panel to the last. I have a feeling issues 19-21 and beyond are going to become one of the most iconic runs in comics history.

[Jadyn❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another insane issue with so much happening. Every time I think it can’t get worse (maybe intense is a better word, because the book continues to be fantastic), it does. I don’t even know what to make of the way this series uses Deathstroke. On the edge of my seat (terrified) for the next installment as always.

[Craig Schorling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first 3-4 pages of this are masterful and might be one of the best starts to an issue that I have read in quiet a while. The tension never lets up and the twists just keep coming. This is one wild ride and I feel like it is only going to get more intense. Absolute Scarecrow is terrifying!

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

THE STRAW MAN
April 2026

"Crime Alley for life...no one can change that"

Lots going on..in this new arc....particularly for Jack Grimm IV and Slade Wilson's speech to the "Robin Program"

[Paulina ෂ · Rating 5 out of 5]

"𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐁𝐄 𝐀 𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓, 𝐋𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐄𝐒 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐋𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍. 𝐌𝐀𝐘𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐈𝐆𝐆𝐄𝐒𝐓 𝐅𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐑𝐘 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐂𝐈𝐓𝐘. 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐈𝐓 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐍𝐎𝐖."

¡MIS HIJOOOOOS! ¡PROJECT #$%& ROBIN AL FIN! No tienen idea cuánto tiempo esperé para llegar hasta acá, desde que se anunciaron que tendríamos Assolute Robin y todas las teorías de quién o quiénes podrían ser, hasta mi desmayo cuando se confirmó que Jason Todd estaría incluido. En serio pasé a amar esta historia como jamás pensé hacerlo y de sólo saber las peleas que se vienen, el drama, el misterio ¡AHHHHH!

Empezamos el número con un nuevo personaje: "The Straw Man", quien logra terminar con la gente con sus propios miedos y emociones. También se nos presenta a #$%& DEATHSTROKE, bueno, Slade Wilson, quien está a cargo del proyecto Robin (apadrinados por el mismísimo Jack Grimm y por supuesto, liderados por Dick Grayson). ADEMÁS ¡¡¡¡¿MUERE GORDON?!!!!

Como cereza de este trágico y enlodado pastel, vemos a un Bruce completamente aislado, resignado a generar una sola relación con quien sea para evitar más consecuencias. Ni siquiera cuando logra reencontrarse con Waylon es capaz de quedarse con él... Y a ver, lo siento mucho por él, además recordando que ahorita tendría unos 22-24 años, pero la parte masoquista en mí, the voices in my head, disfrutan ver a mis personajes favoritos sufrir, aislarse y romperse (por eso te amo, Jason Todd).

HABLANDO DE: TQM SNYDER QUE NO VA A PERMITIR QUE EXISTAN VOTACIONES CONTRA DE JASON EN EL UNIVERSO ABSOLUTE. Mi mayor miedo cuando su nombre salió como las teselas en Los Juegos del Hambre, anunciando que lo tendríamos de vuelta nada más y nada menos que en el universo más jodido que hemos visto. Iniciando como una broma de internet "saquen a Jason Todd de ahí", pero convirtiéndose en realidad cuando fue confirmado.

En fin, si tengo algo que esperar de esta historia (además de que Snyder mencionó que los números 19-25 es donde más han hecho sufrir a Bruce...) es ver cómo es la dinámica de un muy joven Bruce con los Robins, el jodido Evangelion que se va a armar con los trajes de éstos, cómo va a seguir entrelazada esa historia Grimm-Wilson-Wayne, qué va a pasar con el secreto de Gordon, y sobre todo espero que si van a golpear a alguien, sea a Dick. Jason ya vivió lo suficiente, Stephanie y Duke no se lo merecen, y Tim es sólo un niño. Ya es hora de que el golden boy tenga su debido trauma PORQUE SI SE VUELVEN A AGARRAR A JASON...

PD: ¿Se nota que es mi serie favorita con mis personajes favoritos o le echo más ganas?

[Neil Pearson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The start of a new arc sees the return of Dragotta on pencils and I'd dare say this book is more about his work than the writing - although I'd argue Snyder is a very generous writer/collabotor for crafting a story that suits Dragotta's style perfectly. Case in point, with the panel layouts there are multiple pages with 12-16 panels that I don't think I've seen outside of the absolute books on a regular basis. This doesn't mean they are dialogue heavy, far from it. It's all about creating a dynamic fast paced story, it's as if the panels are a drum roll with splash pages almost used as exclamation s or jump scares. The scares are apt as this issue sees Absolute Scarecrow in action and he really is horrific and unsettling.

Then there's a car chase which feels unique in comics with echoes of formula 1 driving, radio messages, and pit-stops. There's just a manic creative energy about it, and while adaptations shouldn't be the end goal, I can't help but thinking how cool/shocking a movie depicting this Batman could be.
Snyder is juggling a lot of balls regarding the various plots but is making it work so far. I also enjoy the cheeky homage to a legendary scene from Spider-Man involving Gwen Stacey.

My only slight criticism of the writing is how it's frustrating that the cliffhanger from the previous issue is left unresolved - I'm sorry but a comics death hasn't happened until you have it confirmed by other characters, as panels can be left open to interpretation.

There is a much hyped reveal of Absolute Robin. It's using the Absolute format effectively in the sense it is an out there take on character. Given Dragotta is handling the art I'm going to openly speculate we will be seeing a Robin Power Ranger/constructicon in the near future?
Also, is it possible that Absolute Scarecrow and Deathstroke are the same person? Or do we just have a surplus of facially scarred villains?
Given how wild and loose this book is, anything is possible.

This is premium superhero comics, and I genuinely feel like Dragotta is helping usher in a new style of storytelling (along with Hayden Sherman) in terms of dense art and using panels to set mood and movement. It's worth it for the art alone, but credit has to go to Snyder for working so well with the art team.


Overall = 5/5
Writing = 4/5
Art = 5/5

Will I read the next issue? Yes

Wait for the trade collection? No, this is a packed issue and there's a genuine monthly momentum behind it that rewards reading it on release.

Did I need to read previous issues/series? While it's the beginning of a new arc, there are a lot of threads at this stage, so it depends on how willing you are to dive in. I'd say give it a go, as the trades are available.

Will I read previous issues? already have. First two volumes still pending.

[Bryham Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

No conozco antecedentes u orígenes, no comprendo realmente sus poderes ni cuánto tardará Absolute Batman en derrotarlo. Pero he quedado encantado con el diseño y personalidad de Scarecrow; ese aspecto creepy, sobrenatural, casi sacado de un relato de Folk horror o un Creepypasta.

Pero mis elogios no se detienen aquí, este número especialmente parece haber hecho algo que respeto, y entre más viejo me vuelvo más lo aprecio, en toda historia: no se "acobarda" en tomar riesgos y no busca "proteger" los sentimientos o favoritismos emocionales o nostálgicos de los fans. Quienes solo hayan leído sabrán de que muerte me refiero.

[Mia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scarecrow deserves a bigger arc because all of my attention was on Absolute Robin.

[Keegan Schueler · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much as I love this issue it suffers from like way to many moving parts. You have scarecrow, Jack Grim, Gordon, the friends, and the robins all being setup in new directions that make this a lot to handle. The scarecrow stuff in particular is probably the best and the setup is also very exciting to see. Still love the series but I hope the focus for the next issues are more condensed.

[Raymond Paquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bat-Gyro was good. Waylon getting better was great. The introduction of the Scarecrow, Deathstroke and the Robins was excellent. The death of Gordon was heartbreaking, but I’m on the edge of my seat now. Bring on the next chapter.

[Nolan McNulty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scarecrow is here! Lots of stuff went down in this issue, yet it was also setting up plot for the larger narrative too. And wow, Deathstroke + Robin(s) being introduced was awesome too. I’m really interested to see where they go with this plot line about the files that Gordon had.

[Celina · Rating 4 out of 5]

That is wow. Oh my God... This is going to be fire. Like if when it is all going down, they, Snyder and Thompson, do another crossover, that will be EPIC. I was wondering where the other gang was at, but now I wonder no more.

[Cristhian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jesús el Cristo.

Absolute Scarecrow? 10/10
Gordon y lo que implica de los orígenes de Batman? 10/10
Slade? 9/10
The Robins? 10/10
Bat-Gyro? 11/10

[Luca Mendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peak

[Garth · Rating 5 out of 5]

2026 - 365 Days of Whatever Is On My Comic Book TBR
Day 106

(⊙_⊙) Just when I was about to let this series slide for a couple of months.

[Bryan Ford · Rating 4 out of 5]

No thank you

[Arm · Rating 5 out of 5]

HOLY SHIT!!!!!!

[Cybernex007 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things escalated that fast?! WHAT?! This series once again had me questioning if what I was reading was true, but the fear isn’t just an illusion this time. This is insane. Ivy was just the tip of the iceberg and was still actively working against Joker…now batman threw that away and everyone else close to him and once faced with a true loyal threat hellbent on his destruction…he looses someone oh so close. This issue starts with a test run, scarecrow has been locked away for quite a long time and he has to get his literal bare feet wet with blood once more. So of course the dude with a literal scarecrow face decides to go and mess with some farmers in a field. He pops out right in front of their rigs as they were cultivating the crop as he seems like he has been watching them for a while. Revealing that one of them has been sleeping with the other’s wife…but this revelation can be easily thrown away coming from a crazy guy standing barefoot in a field, but the real kicker that turns everything around is when scarecrow takes a deep drag on his cigarette and blows it into their faces. It appears there will be no turning the fear gas around on scarecrow in this series, he breathes that stuff in for breakfast, and as scarecrow literally shows proof of the affair a fight immediately breaks out. Resulting in the one having the affair being taken to the ground as the other farmer got in their rig and literally ran him over, chopped him up, and then came out and faced immediate regret. But the one part that still confuses me about this scene, is that while all of the fighting is happening a propeller plane overhead is loosing control and ramming into a few birds before crashing into the rig and the last farmer…how and why did scarecrow pull that off? Did the smoke find its way up there? It all seems so well planned, but how did he pull that off?

Speaking of “how did they pull that off”…it seems batman has a new toy. A bat-gyro in a sense as it almost looks like the wheels of the dump truck have been ripped off to support a new middle chassis buggy which can flip over if it lands on the wrong side. Jr’s honestly really cool and is a byproduct of Batman’s newfound cooperation with the red hood gang. Batman actively escapes the police with it by turning it on its side to drive through a narrow alley, meet a red hood team at the end where they were ready like a pit crew to rip the thing apart and move its parts into different vans, also giving batman a disguise to easily blend in once the cops finally showed up. Although there is a ton of great cooperation here, Alfred notes that batman is still continuing to push everyone away while staying completely focused on batman. He is having a hard time dealing with his cities idea of him, he has been turned from someone who wanted to expose the city of the greed and corruption only to become their savior. So he has responded with the lone wolf routine, which is immediately shown one day when Bruce was leaving work only for Waylon, almost human again, to call Bruce from an alley. The two embrace and it’s fantastic to see the magic healing Waylon, but that’s as far as Bruce will go. Waylon wants to know the next steps, he wants to work with Bruce to bring the evil of this city down, the ones who hurt him…but Bruce stops him, he isn’t bringing anyone else into this and he never should have. But what Bruce fails to see is that it isn’t his choice, whether he likes it or not he already has brought them in and be is only hurting himself by refusing help.

To carry this point home ever further, this story has started to go back to the past to pickup on the trails of the Bruce/Falcone storyline where he was supposed to rig Waylon’s fight…only to take the money and run as Waylon invested it in the Gym. Bruce was somehow arrested and failed to meet bail everyone due to Falcone’s connections, plus he was constantly beat on by the guys Falcone had on the inside…but no matter what do you know who was there for him? The other kids of crime alley!! There was a point where Bruce refused to stand down and he knew he would always get back up with the help of his friends. Eventually Bruce was let out where he met Gordon waiting for him, but it turns out that Falcone let him out because there’s a debt to be paid and if he doesn’t want Selina caught up in this then Bruce is going to pay it off. I have a feeling that this storyline is going to serve as a reminder to Bruce that he can’t go about it alone and he never has, and I hope that even against Bruce’s cold shoulder that Waylon will be the one to lead the charge in getting the kids of crime alley back together to help Bruce once again. I hope so for his sake anyway as the rest of this issue isn’t looking good.

Later on we see Bruce in an underground control hub with Alfred and Harley as they look over the news reports of Gotham Royalty, Jack Grimm IV, returning to Gotham. Harley is working in a new “bat signal” which is an encrypted untraceable beacon sent directly to his cowl when someone is in trouble, it’s not like they can have people calling Batman’s cell phone…suddenly Jim Gordon calls Bruce’s phone…LMAO. When Bruce goes to meet with Jim, of course on a roof top, he finds that Jim is a little jumpy and scared. Jim reveals that over the last few weeks since Martha left he has been digging, and he has found something that changes everything and it all leads back to batman. He isn’t even sure if he wants to tell batman about this, the more he digs the more frightened he gets. All the while Jim can barely hold the cigarette up to his mouth as he talks endlessly like the endless corn maze he feels trapped in. Batman pulls him back to reality so Gordon could share with him the files. But as Jim pulls them out he suddenly hears something, a crow sits in the distance as we only see the file is named “project batman.” Jim suddenly realizes this was all a mistake as he uses his cigarette to light the files on fire. But this quickly spreads to Jim’s arm as batman has to yell at him to put it out. Suddenly the crow is cawing and Jim is even more jumpy as he begins to walk away from the partially burned files he wants batman to finish burning. Suddenly crows begin to show up all around Jim as batman reaches for the files. It’s almost as if the birds aren’t even there, but we batman picks up the files we only see one word which immediately sets Bruce off…zoo. Something is majorly wrong, Bruce wants explanations but Jim is getting closer to the edge of the roof until he eventually falls right off. Bruce rushes over and uses the end of his cape to grab for Jim’s coat…but that’s all he gets. Jim is dead, he fell off the roof and as everyone on the ground looks up…suddenly batman killed the former major. Batman looks as the buildings around him light up from lights coming on and drapes being opened…with one window in particular showcasing the scarecrow smoking a cigarette.

Like I said earlier, I was half convinced this wasn’t real…until Bruce returned to the command hub with Alfred and Gordon’s coat. Bullock met Barbara in Gotham Hospital where her tears confirmed his death. Later that day Mayor Hill gave a press conference condemning Batman killing the former mayor, only for the mayor to hand the mic over to Slade Wilson to explain how they will keep Gotham safe from now on. Slade steps up with his classic eye patch look but with a Robin logo on his shirt. As he speaks about his tough this city is we see his morning routine as he literally pieces himself together. There is barely any part of him original left as he has to put on legs, arms, and even pieces of his face. The face he represents now is a new morning for Gotham with the Robin program to rid the city of the creatures terrorizing the night. It’s being funded by Jack Grimm in partnership with the Grimm House for the least fortunate children of Gotham. Over the years Jack has adopted many of the misunderstood wards of the state and he has trained them. This group of course includes names like Tim Drake…Stephanie Brown…Jason Todd…Duke Thomas…and Dick Grayson. All of these young men and women have been trained from an early age to give back to the city and fight off the dark…and bases on the cover for the next issue, they are about to go full pacific rim against batman. I’m not sure the city will make it out of this in one piece. Absolutely insane, I love it.

[AviChaim Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent chapter of Absolute Batman. This issue feels like a clear step forward, both in pacing and in the overall direction of the story, making it a strong entry point for a new arc. Bruce, both as himself and as Batman, really rises to the occasion here, and it is great to see that growth take center stage.
While I would have liked more time with Scarecrow, his appearances are still incredibly effective. Every moment he is on the page is unsettling and genuinely eerie, and it leaves me eager to see how far the series will push his character and abilities.
The scene involving Gordon is especially powerful, striking a balance between emotional weight and tension without giving too much away. On top of that, the issue spends a good amount of time developing Deathstroke and his “Robins,” along with their connection to Jack Grimm. That thread is particularly intriguing, especially with the added layer of their link to the Joker and his adopted children. The concept of the Robins and their mech suits has a lot of potential, and I am excited to see where it goes.
Overall, this is a fun and engaging issue that sets up the next arc extremely well. I highly recommend it. Grade: A

[Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Does someone maybe want to check on Scott Snyder? you know just to see if he's okay because dude needs to chill with the Nightmare Fuel. I recall an episode of Kevin Smith's Comic Book Men when Scott Snyder was a special guest during his court of owls run and he was talking about reimagining much loved characters and even some forgotten characters such as Crazy Quilt, he was riffing on how to twist that character into something dark and what the suit could be made out of when he just jokingly exclaimed Babies......I think Scott is a sick pup and i love him for it. WTF did i just read? he somehow made Scarecrow 10x scarier with the Doctor Deckard inspired mask? (NightBreed fans where you at) and seems to have done away with the fear toxin it would seem,

EDIT: Re-reading I've come to the blatantly obvious reveal that his fear toxin is the cigarette smoke that he blows into the farmer's face, Snyder you are a sick genius

to it being as soon as you see him you are fucked.....what a way to start a new story i can barely wait 3 more weeks for the next issue i need it now. I think given how Snyder is handling this fresh take it leads to question, how would some of you guys re-imagine some of Batman rouges? maybe Clayface gets inside his victims and turns them into living statues?

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Todo ha cambiado para el Absolute Batman. Habiendo decidido ya consagrar su existencia a ser el Caballero Oscuro de Gotham en las sombras de su ciudad, Jack Grimm (aka Absolute Joker) justamente se ha mostrado de cara presentando una contundente respuesta a las actividades de Bruce y cia. cada vez más hostiles y devastadoras. Y esto es mediante el gran elemento moderno de la mitología de Batman con sus sidekicks (realmente sigue teniéndolos, pero no son los que uno esperaría, desde luego). Pero OJO, que por otro lado avanza una nueva amenaza del "horror fuel" característico de esta obra, y sí, no es otro que Espantapájaros. Ese increíble villano en potencia que no suele recibir los tratamientos argumentales dignos que se merece. Scott Snyder y Nick Dragotta parecen querer hacer justicia de décadas y su debut es ya lo más escalofriante visto en una serie que nos ha dado "La Noche de las Bestias" con Black Mask, Slenderfreeze, BANETSUO o los zombis florónicos de la Poison "Green Substance" Ivy.

[Mo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things are amping up for Batman. We’re presented with a lot of new puzzle pieces in this issue. Other than a single critical moment, it’s mostly a bunch of new villains introductions. All of it made me excited except for one story thread: the batman case file.

If they’re trying to build conspiracy around the creation of Batman I feel like it could take away from his character specially since he’s so grounded in the reality of being an average Gotham citizen. What I find fascinating about this version of the character is how super ordinary he is and yet he still chooses to fight against forces bigger than him.

[Colin Post · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a chilling chapter of this book, and that’s saying something given that every issue of this book is pretty damn unsettling. Absolute Scarecrow is so messed up, but he’s also competing with Absolute Deathstroke for most messed up villain in this issue. The full reveal of the Robins is so good. Dragotta works in little sequences that would be the highlight of an issue of any other book, like the Bat-Nasty toppling over 20 cars only to be quickly disassembled, and it’s just like the 10th coolest thing in this issue.

[Eddie B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

[Emiliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

My brain is exploding !

Scarecrow is cool as fuck and I love it. There were a lot of seeds planted in this issue that are going to be pivotal for the arc. The robin crew is wild and they were raised by Slade so they’ll be deadly as fuck. Gordon…. and the files…. WHAT! Poor Batman….

[Jordie Novack · Rating 5 out of 5]

It cannot be overstated how incredible the work Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, and team have done on this series.

We’re only on issue 19 and this character and universe is already iconic, and somehow just leveled up in a jaw dropping way yet again. Just truly special stuff

[Nightwing’s Thiccness · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every “caw” I’m just thinking of the crows right as your game glitched in Arkham Asylum. I haven’t thought about that moment in years and the fact comic panels evoked that memory felt astounding and terrifying.

[Derrick McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Come to think of it... maybe this isn't a mask."

Killing Gordon is a fucking CHOICE. I'm locked in. Scarecrow looks absolutely terrifying. I swear to God... if this all ties back to issue one...

[Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit. This series gets better and better. I thought absolute would be okay to good but the majority of it is excellent.
Best issue yet. Scarecrow is terrifying. Great design.
The death st the end of the issue was unbelievable. How will Martha react?