Absolute Joker: The Dark Side Unveiled

Absolute Batman has emerged as one of DC's most significant comic book launches in recent years. The first issue became the best-selling comic of 2024, and the series has consistently topped the sales charts, indicating a strong reader response to this bold and often surprising reinvention of the Dark Knight.

Following the completion of their first story arc, "The Zoo," creators Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta shared insights with IGN on how Absolute Batman reimagines the traditional Batman mythos. They discussed the design of the impressively muscular Batman, the impact of Bruce Wayne having a living mother, and what fans can anticipate as the Absolute Joker steps into the spotlight.

Warning: full spoilers for Absolute Batman #6 ahead!

Absolute Batman #6 Preview Gallery

11 ImagesDesigning Absolute Batman

The Batman of the Absolute Universe stands out as a formidable figure, characterized by his bulging muscles, shoulder spikes, and various enhancements to the classic Batsuit. This design earned him a spot on our list of the 10 greatest Batman costumes of all time. Snyder and Dragotta discussed the inspiration behind this towering version of the Dark Knight, emphasizing a Batman who lacks the traditional wealth and resources.

"Scott's initial vision was to go big," Dragotta explained to IGN. "His directive was to create the largest Batman we've ever seen. I initially drew him large, but Scott pushed for even more, to the point where we were approaching Hulk-like proportions."

Dragotta elaborated, "The design was driven by the concept of making him a weapon in every aspect. His emblem, his suit—everything is a utility, which will continue to evolve as the series progresses."

Snyder emphasized the necessity of this enlarged Batman, stating, "In the classic Batman narrative, wealth is almost a superpower. Without it, this Batman must rely on his physical presence to intimidate Gotham's criminals. When he appears, it's not just his fighting skills or detective prowess; it's also his sheer size and the violence he can bring to a fight that makes him a force to be reckoned with."

Snyder further noted, "The villains he faces believe they're untouchable due to their resources. But Batman, with his physicality, challenges that notion. He's a force of nature who says, 'I can touch you, and I will.'"

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)

The bulky, musclebound Batman draws inspiration from Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, as evident in a striking splash page in issue #6 that pays homage to Miller's iconic Dark Knight Returns cover, featuring Batman leaping through the air against a lightning bolt backdrop.

"Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's Batman: Year One has been a huge influence," Dragotta said. "It's not just the art but the storytelling and narrative structure that inspired us. Including that homage felt right and necessary."

Giving Batman a Family

Absolute Batman not only reimagines Batman's appearance but also his backstory. A significant change is the revelation that Bruce Wayne's mother, Martha, is alive, adding a new dimension to the Dark Knight's character. No longer a solitary orphan, Batman now has a family to protect, increasing his stakes in this universe.

"Including Martha was a decision I debated the most," Snyder shared. "It felt more interesting to focus on her rather than Thomas, who has been explored in various universes. Once she was in the story, she became the moral compass, providing strength and vulnerability to Bruce. Her presence adds depth to his character and the narrative."

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)

Another fundamental change introduced in issue #1 is Bruce's childhood friendships with future villains like Waylon Jones, Oswald Cobblepot, Harvey Dent, Edward Nygma, and Selina Kyle. These characters, traditionally part of Batman's rogues gallery, form an extended family in this series. Snyder teased that upcoming issues will explore how these relationships shaped Bruce's journey to becoming Batman.

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)

"If Bruce can't travel the world to train, who does he learn from?" Snyder asked. "He learns the city's underworld from Oswald, fighting from Waylon, high-level detection from Edward, and politics from Harvey. Selina's influence will also be revealed. These relationships are the heart of the book, grounding and strengthening Bruce while making him more vulnerable."

In "The Zoo," Absolute Batman begins to establish his presence in Gotham as new supervillains emerge. The focus is on Roman Sionis, aka Black Mask, who leads the Party Animals, a gang reveling in Gotham's chaos. Black Mask, though not a typical choice for a Batman origin story, was selected for his potential to be reshaped into a fitting adversary.

"We saw Black Mask as malleable, allowing us to mold him to fit our narrative," Snyder said. "His skull aesthetic aligns with the nihilistic theme of the world being beyond saving, so we treated him like a creator-owned character while staying true to his crime boss roots."

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)

The confrontation between Batman and Black Mask in issue #6 culminates on Sionis' yacht, where Batman delivers a brutal beatdown. Despite not killing Sionis, Batman leaves him severely injured, showcasing his underdog status in the Absolute Universe.

"These lines were inspired by Nick's art," Snyder noted. "They encapsulate our Batman's essence: 'Tell me I don't matter. Tell me I can't make a difference. I love it.' He uses the world's cynicism as fuel, challenging the notion that change is impossible."

The Threat of Absolute Joker

The series builds towards a confrontation with the Absolute Joker, first teased at the end of issue #1. Unlike traditional portrayals, this Joker is wealthy, well-traveled, and devoid of humor. His presence is hinted at again at the end of "The Zoo," where he appears wrapped in a cocoon of dead babies and orders Bane to deal with Batman.

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)

"In this inverted system, Batman is the disruption, and Joker represents the system," Snyder explained. "Their dynamic is always in relation; even when Joker isn't present, his influence is felt."

Snyder hinted at the Joker's evolution, saying, "This Joker is already terrifying before meeting Batman, and their relationship will evolve throughout the series."

Dragotta added, "He's been there, and the clues we've planted hint at his power and a larger plan. His storyline is coming up, and we want readers to be intrigued."

Issues #7 and #8 introduce Mr. Freeze, with Marcos Martin taking over as artist. This arc promises a dark, horror-infused take on the villain, reflecting Bruce's struggles with his identity as Batman and his relationships with his friends.

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)

"Mr. Freeze's path is dark, mirroring Bruce's own challenges," Snyder said. "We're taking these villains to new, twisted places in our universe, which feels like our creator-owned Batman."

Issue #6 also teases a confrontation with Bane, who will be a physically imposing adversary. "Bane is really big," Snyder confirmed. "We wanted him to dwarf Bruce's silhouette."

The Absolute line, which includes Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman, will expand in 2025 with Absolute Flash, Absolute Green Lantern, and Absolute Martian Manhunter. While currently standalone, Snyder hinted at future interactions among these characters.

"You'll see hints of Bruce being aware of events in other parts of our Absolute Universe," Snyder said. "As we move into 2025 and 2026, we're planning how these characters will start affecting each other."

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