Absolute Batman's Counterpart: Unveiling the Absolute Joker

DC's *Absolute Batman* has taken the comic book world by storm, becoming the best-selling comic of 2024 and maintaining its position at the top of the sales charts. This series has captured readers' attention with its bold and often surprising reinvention of the Dark Knight, showcasing a fresh take on the iconic character.

Now that creators Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta have completed their first story arc, "The Zoo," they've shared insights with IGN on how Absolute Batman reimagines the Batman mythos. Dive into the details behind the design of this impressively muscular Batman, the impact of having a living mother on Bruce Wayne's life, and what's in store as 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 is an imposing figure, characterized by his bulging muscles, shoulder spikes, and an array of enhancements to the traditional Batsuit. It's no surprise that we've ranked Absolute Batman among the 10 greatest Batman costumes of all time. Snyder and Dragotta explain how they developed this towering version of the Dark Knight, focusing on a Batman who lacks the financial resources of his classic counterpart.

“Scott's initial idea was to go big,” Dragotta tells IGN. “He wanted the biggest Batman we've seen yet. When I first drew him, Scott said, ‘Nick, I want to go bigger.’ We were approaching Hulk-like proportions at that point.”

Dragotta elaborates, “The design was driven by the need to make him bold, iconic, and a weapon in every sense. Every aspect of his suit, from his emblem to every piece, is a utility. This approach not only shapes his current look but will continue to evolve.”

"Down to his emblem, down to every piece of his suit, he's a weapon. It's all a weapon."For Snyder, making Batman larger was essential. While the classic Batman's superpower is often his immense wealth, this version needs to compensate with sheer physical presence.

“The classic Batman intimidates with his resources and high-tech gadgets,” Snyder explains. “But without those, this Batman's tools are his size, his physicality, and the utility of his suit. He needs to be a force of nature, showing his adversaries that he can touch them despite their resources.”

Snyder continues, “The villains he faces believe they're untouchable. But he's there to prove them wrong, to be the force that can and will punch back.”

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)Drawing inspiration from Frank Miller’s The Dark Knight Returns, Dragotta pays homage to Miller's iconic cover in issue #6, where Batman leaps through the air against a lightning bolt.

“Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's work on Batman has been a huge influence, especially in storytelling,” Dragotta says. “The homage to The Dark Knight Returns felt necessary and right.”

Giving Batman a Family

Absolute Batman goes beyond just removing Bruce Wayne's wealth, introducing significant changes to his mythology. The most striking is the revelation that his mother, Martha, is alive. This transforms Batman from a solitary orphan to someone with much to lose.

“It was a decision I debated the most initially,” Snyder admits. “Having Martha alive felt more interesting than exploring the paternal side we've seen in other universes. As we developed her character, she became the moral compass of the book, adding a new dimension to Bruce's character.”

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)Snyder adds, “Martha’s presence gives Bruce strength and vulnerability. Her being out in the world, capable of being hurt, adds complexity to his character and the series.”

Another key change introduced in issue #1 is Bruce's childhood friendships with characters like Waylon Jones, Oswald Cobblepot, Harvey Dent, Edward Nygma, and Selina Kyle. These characters, typically part of Batman's rogues gallery, form an extended family for Bruce. Snyder hints at how these relationships influenced Bruce's journey to becoming Batman.

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)“Without the ability to train globally, Bruce learns from these friends,” he says. “Each teaches him different skills crucial to his development as Batman. Their relationships are central to the book, grounding him while also making him more vulnerable.”

Absolute Batman vs. Absolute Black Mask ---------------------------------------

In “The Zoo,” Absolute Batman begins to assert his presence in Gotham as new supervillains emerge. The focus is on Roman Sionis, aka Black Mask, who leads the nihilistic Party Animals, reveling in chaos as Gotham burns.

While not the typical villain for a Batman origin story, Snyder and Dragotta chose Black Mask for his potential to be reshaped into something fresh and impactful.

“We saw Black Mask as a character we could mold,” Snyder says. “His nihilistic philosophy and death mask aesthetic fit perfectly with the theme of a world beyond saving. We wanted to stay true to his crime boss roots while making him uniquely ours.”

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)Their confrontation in issue #6 culminates in Batman's brutal assault on Sionis' yacht, emphasizing Batman's underdog status in the Absolute Universe.

“Those lines weren’t in the initial drafts, but they became the thesis of our Batman,” Snyder reflects. “He uses the world’s impossibility to change as fuel, defying anyone who says he can’t make a difference.”

The Threat of Absolute Joker

The Joker is Batman's eternal nemesis, embodying chaos against Batman’s order. Absolute Batman builds towards their inevitable clash, with the first hints of Absolute Joker appearing in issue #1. Unlike traditional depictions, this Joker is wealthy, worldly, and never laughs.

“The Zoo” concludes with another glimpse of the Joker, enveloped in a cocoon of dead babies, summoning Bane to deal with Batman.

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)“In this inverted system, Batman is the disruptor, while Joker represents the system,” Snyder explains. “Their dynamic is always at the opposite ends of the spectrum, even when Joker isn’t directly in the story.”

This version of the Joker is already a terrifying psychopath before meeting Batman, suggesting a unique evolution as their paths cross.

“I don’t want to reveal too much,” Snyder teases. “But this Joker is already terrifying by the time he meets Batman, and their relationship will evolve throughout the series.”

"I've never written a Batman story, even if Joker isn't in it, where I don’t think about where Joker would be in relation to this take on Batman. He'd always be at the opposite end of the spectrum.""This Joker's been around," Dragotta adds. "We've planted clues about his power, from JK Industries to the Arks. His storyline is coming up, and we want readers to be intrigued and keep guessing."

Dragotta continues, “We’re taking a detour with Marcos Martin on issues #7 and #8, focusing on Mr. Freeze and the dynamics with Bruce’s friends. Then we’ll dive back into the Joker’s arc. Less is more, and the anticipation is key.”

What to Expect From Absolute Mr. Freeze and Absolute Bane ---------------------------------------------------------

Issues #7 and #8, illustrated by Marcos Martin, introduce a twisted version of Mr. Freeze, leaning heavily into horror.

“I’m excited about these issues with Marcos,” Snyder says. “Mr. Freeze reflects Bruce’s struggles with his friends knowing he’s Batman and his initial plan to not survive. Freeze has taken a darker path, and we’re going for a very twisted take on him.”

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)Snyder continues, “In the Absolute Universe, we can push boundaries and create darker, more intense versions of these characters.”

Bane's introduction in issue #6 also teases an upcoming confrontation. Given Batman's size, the question arises: how will Bane be portrayed?

“Bane is really big,” Snyder confirms. “We wanted him to make Bruce’s silhouette look smaller. He’s not going to be small.”

"[Bane is] not small. We wanted someone who makes Bruce's silhouette look smaller."Looking ahead, the broader Absolute line, including Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman, will see new titles in 2025 such as Absolute Flash, Absolute Green Lantern, and Absolute Martian Manhunter. Snyder hints at future interactions among these characters.

“You’ll see hints that Bruce is aware of events in other parts of our Absolute Universe,” Snyder says. “We’re planning how these characters will interact in 2025 and beyond, showing how they influence each other and their villains.”

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

Which Absolute DC series are you most excited to read? ------------------------------------------------------

Absolute BatmanAbsolute Wonder WomanAbsolute SupermanAbsolute FlashAbsolute Green LanternAbsolute Martian Manhunter