Absolute Batman Meets His Match: The Absolute Joker Unveiled

The launch of *Absolute Batman* marks one of DC's most significant comic book series in recent years, with the first issue clinching the title of the best-selling comic of 2024. The series has consistently dominated sales charts, a testament to the enthusiastic reception of its bold and often surprising reinvention of the Dark Knight. Creators Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta have recently completed their first story arc, "The Zoo," and shared insights with IGN on how they've reshaped the traditional Batman mythos. Dive into the details of designing a remarkably muscular Batman, the impact of having a living mother on Bruce Wayne, and what fans can anticipate as Absolute Joker emerges.

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 an imposing figure, characterized by his hulking physique, shoulder spikes, and enhanced Batsuit. This iteration of Batman has earned a spot on our list of the 10 greatest Batman costumes of all time. Snyder and Dragotta revealed their process of creating this larger-than-life Dark Knight, aiming to depict a Batman without the traditional wealth and resources.

"Scott's initial idea was to go big," Dragotta explained to IGN. "I mean, that was his first direction to me, was this is going to be the biggest Batman we've seen yet. And believe me when I tell you, I drew him really big at first, and then when Scott saw it, he was like, 'Nick, I want to go bigger.' And I was like, 'Scott, we're getting into Hulk-like proportions now.'"

Dragotta elaborated, "The impetus for the design was to go big, bold, and iconic, reflecting the themes of who this character is. Every aspect of his suit, down to his emblem, is a weapon. It's no longer just a utility belt; everything is a utility on this Batman. And that will continue to drive the design, evolving and changing in the future."

"For Snyder, making Batman enormous was crucial. The classic Batman's superpower is his extreme wealth, but in this universe, Batman compensates with sheer physical presence.

"When the classic Batman shows up, he's intimidating to bad guys not just because he's an amazing fighter and detective, but also because of his wealth," Snyder said. "He arrives in high-tech suits and vehicles that say, 'I have more than you do.' That's part of his intimidation factor against super-criminals. But if this Batman doesn't have those resources, then his size, physicality, and the utility of his suit become his primary tools. He's always scary, and anything on him can hurt you."

Snyder added, "The underlying theme with the villains he faces is their belief that they're untouchable due to their resources. As he confronts bigger challenges, he needs to be a force of nature, showing them, 'You think I can't touch you? I'll punch you.'"

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)Frank Miller's The Dark Knight Returns, with its muscular Batman, also influenced the design of Absolute Batman. Dragotta paid homage to Miller's iconic cover in issue #6, where Batman leaps through the air against a lightning bolt backdrop.

"For me, Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli's Batman is everything—a huge inspiration, not just in drawing but in storytelling and layout," Dragotta said. "So, Dark Knight Returns and Batman: Year One were definite influences, and it felt right to give that nod."

Giving Batman a Family

Beyond the physical changes, Absolute Batman redefines Batman's mythology by stripping Bruce Wayne of his wealth and privilege. The most significant alteration is the revelation that his mother, Martha, is alive, fundamentally altering Batman's narrative from that of a lonely orphan to a hero with much more to lose.

"It was probably the most debated aspect initially," Snyder confessed. "I knew if one parent was alive, it would be Martha. It felt more interesting here since Thomas has been explored in various universes. Once we introduced her, she took on a life of her own, becoming the moral compass of the book. Bruce is his own moral force, but he's young and idealistic. Martha adds strength and vulnerability, enriching his character and the series."

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)Snyder continued, "Her presence adds a dimension to Bruce that's now core to his DNA and the book. It's exciting and unpredictable, one of my favorite aspects."

In issue #1, Bruce's childhood friendships with future villains like Waylon Jones, Oswald Cobblepot, Harvey Dent, Edward Nygma, and Selina Kyle were introduced, reimagining them as an extended family rather than just foes. Snyder hinted at upcoming issues exploring how these relationships shaped Bruce's transformation into Batman.

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)"The idea was to show who he trains with if he can't travel the world," Snyder explained. "He learned the city's underworld from Oswald, fighting from Waylon, high-level detection from Eddie, politics from Harvey, and much from Selina. They're all part of Batman, grounding and strengthening him, making him more vulnerable. These relationships are central to the book."

In "The Zoo," Absolute Batman begins to assert his presence in Gotham as new costumed supervillains emerge. The focus of this arc is Roman Sionis, aka Black Mask, leader of the nihilistic Party Animals gang. Black Mask's choice as Batman's initial adversary in this series was deliberate.

"We felt there was a lot of material to mold," Snyder said. "His death face and skull aesthetic fit our theme of nihilism—the world's been bought and sold, so let's party amidst the ruins. We wrote him as a creator-owned character, staying true to his crime boss DNA but making him fresh."

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)In issue #6, Batman's confrontation with Black Mask on his yacht escalates, delivering a brutal beating without crossing the line into killing. This fight underscores Batman's underdog status in the Absolute Universe, emphasizing his determination despite being underestimated.

"When I added those lines over Nick's art, they weren't originally there," Snyder noted. "They became my favorite in the issue, embodying our Batman's thesis: '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, even if he has moments of doubt."

The Threat of Absolute Joker

Joker, Batman's dark inverse, is an inevitable presence in any Batman narrative. Snyder and Dragotta have teased a confrontation between the two, with Absolute Joker introduced as a wealthy, worldly, and humorless figure in issue #1.

"The Zoo" concludes with a glimpse of Joker, shrouded in a cocoon of dead babies, commanding his manservant to summon Bane to deal with Batman.

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)"If Batman is disruption, then Joker is the system," Snyder said. "They're always in relation. Even if Joker isn't in the story, I think about where he'd be in relation to this Batman. He's at the opposite end of the spectrum."

Absolute Joker's evolution into a psychopathic villain is independent of Batman, setting the stage for a dynamic relationship as they inevitably clash.

"I don't want to give too much away," Snyder teased. "But this Joker is already terrifying before meeting Batman. Their relationship will evolve as the series progresses."

"Yeah, this Joker's been there," Dragotta added. "We've planted clues about his power, like JK Industries and Ark-M. His storyline is coming, and less is more. We want readers to wonder and hold on."

Issues #7 and #8 introduce a new arc with Marcos Martin stepping in to bring Mr. Freeze into the Absolute Universe, offering a horror-infused take on the villain.

"These two issues with Marcos are exciting," Snyder said. "Nick has guided the aesthetics, bringing in artists who focus on the story and emotional heart. Mr. Freeze's dark path mirrors Bruce's struggles with his friends knowing his secret and his initial plan to go down with the ship. We're going dark and twisted with this universe."

Art by Nick Dragotta. (Image Credit: DC)Snyder added, "This is our creator-owned Batman, so we can explore darker themes without affecting the main universe's legacy."

Issue #6 also sets the stage for a confrontation with Bane, a physically imposing villain. The question arises: how do you make Bane even more formidable when Batman is already massive?

"Bane is really big," Snyder confirmed. "We wanted someone who makes Bruce's silhouette look smaller."

Finally, the broader Absolute line, which includes Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman, will expand with new titles in 2025. Snyder hinted at future interactions among the characters.

"You'll see hints that Bruce is aware of events in other places in our Absolute Universe," Snyder said. "We're planning how these characters will interact in '25 into '26. It's not about crossing with the main universe but showing how they affect each other."

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