Absolute Batman's Counterpart: The Ultimate Joker Revealed

Absolute Batman has emerged as one of DC's most significant comic book launches in recent years, with the first issue becoming the best-selling comic of 2024. The series continues to dominate sales charts, a testament to fans' enthusiasm for this bold and often surprising reinvention of the Dark Knight.

Following the conclusion of their initial story arc, "The Zoo," creators Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta sat down with IGN to delve into how Absolute Batman challenges the conventional Batman narrative. They discussed the design of the impressively muscular Batman, the profound impact of Bruce Wayne having a living mother, and what to anticipate with the emergence of Absolute Joker.

***Warning:** Full spoilers for Absolute Batman #6 ahead!*

Absolute Batman #6 Preview Gallery

11 ImagesDesigning Absolute Batman

The Batman of the Absolute Universe is a formidable figure, characterized by his bulging muscles, shoulder spikes, and various enhancements to the traditional Batsuit. This design earned him a spot on our list of the 10 greatest Batman costumes of all time. Snyder and Dragotta shared how they envisioned this hulking version of the Dark Knight, reflecting a Batman without the wealth and resources of his classic counterpart.

"Scott's initial idea was to go big," Dragotta explained to IGN. "He wanted the biggest Batman we've seen. I started drawing him large, but Scott pushed for even bigger proportions, almost like the Hulk."

Dragotta added, "The design embodies the theme of Batman as a weapon. Every aspect of his suit, down to his emblem, is a tool for combat. This concept will continue to evolve as the series progresses."

For Snyder, emphasizing Batman's size was crucial. "In the classic Batman universe, wealth is his superpower," Snyder noted. "Without that, this Batman must rely on his physical presence to intimidate. His size and the utility of every part of his suit make him a constant threat."

Snyder further elaborated, "In this universe, Batman faces villains who believe they're untouchable. He needs to be a force of nature to challenge them directly."

The influence of Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns is evident in Absolute Batman, particularly in a splash page from issue #6 that echoes Miller’s iconic (and surprisingly divisive) Dark Knight Returns cover. Dragotta acknowledged the homage, saying, "Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's work on Batman has been a huge inspiration, especially in storytelling and layout."

Giving Batman a Family

Absolute Batman reimagines many elements of the Dark Knight’s mythology, including the revelation that Bruce Wayne's mother, Martha, is alive. This significant change transforms Batman from a solitary orphan to someone with more to lose.

"Introducing Martha was a decision I debated extensively," Snyder admitted. "It felt right to explore a maternal relationship, which adds a new dimension to Bruce's character. Martha serves as a moral compass, providing both strength and vulnerability."

Another major shift was introduced in issue #1, revealing Bruce's childhood friendships with characters who become his rogues gallery in the traditional DCU, including Waylon Jones, Oswald Cobblepot, Harvey Dent, Edward Nygma, and Selina Kyle. These relationships deeply influence Bruce's journey to becoming Batman.

"Without global training, Bruce learns from his friends," Snyder explained. "Oswald teaches him about Gotham's underworld, Waylon about fighting, Edward about logic, Harvey about politics, and Selina about much more. These connections are the heart of the series."

In "The Zoo," Absolute Batman begins to make his mark as new supervillains emerge. The arc focuses on Roman Sionis, aka Black Mask, who leads the nihilistic Party Animals. Snyder and Dragotta considered creating a new villain but chose to revamp Black Mask to fit their narrative.

"We saw potential in reshaping Black Mask," Snyder said. "His skull motif and nihilistic outlook made him a perfect fit for our story. We aimed to stay true to his essence as a crime boss while making him our own."

The climax of their rivalry in issue #6 sees Batman storming Sionis' yacht, delivering a brutal beatdown without crossing the line into killing. This fight underscores Batman's underdog status in the Absolute Universe.

"These lines weren't originally planned," Snyder said of Batman's fierce declaration during the fight. "They encapsulate our Batman's spirit: using the world's skepticism as fuel to make a difference."

The Threat of Absolute Joker

The series builds towards a confrontation with Absolute Joker, first teased in issue #1. In this universe, Joker embodies everything Batman traditionally is: wealthy, worldly, and trained by the best, yet he never laughs.

"The Zoo" ends with Joker wrapped in a cocoon of dead babies, ordering Bane to deal with Batman. This suggests Joker is already a formidable psychopath, independent of Batman's influence.

"In this inverted system, Batman is the disruption, and Joker represents the system," Snyder explained. "Their relationship evolves throughout the series, with Joker already terrifying before meeting Batman."

Dragotta added, "Joker's been there, and his power is evident. We're planting clues about his master plan, which will unfold in future issues."

Issues #7 and #8 introduce Mr. Freeze, with Marcos Martin taking over for a short arc. This version of Mr. Freeze leans into horror, reflecting Bruce's struggles with his identity as Batman.

"Marcos brings an emotional depth to the story," Snyder said. "Mr. Freeze's dark path mirrors Bruce's internal conflict, offering a twisted take on the character."

Issue #6 also sets up a confrontation with Bane, who remains a physically imposing threat. "Bane is really big," Snyder confirmed. "We wanted him to make Bruce's silhouette look smaller."

Finally, the broader Absolute line, which includes Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman, will see new titles in 2025, such as Absolute Flash, Absolute Green Lantern, and Absolute Martian Manhunter. Snyder hinted at future interactions among these characters.

"You'll see hints of how these characters affect each other," Snyder teased. "We're planning how they'll interact in 2025 and beyond, focusing on their impact within the Absolute Universe."

Absolute Batman #6 is available in stores now. You can preorder the Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo HC on Amazon.