Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1
Kevin Rossi
Recap
Some of the biggest names in comics take a turn in the Absolute Universe! Daniel Warren Johnson and James Harren tell tales from Absolute Batman’s early days! How did Bruce acquire his batmobile? And what was it like for Black Mask’s party animals when Batman first hit the scene?
Review
Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1 delivers an impressive showcase of artistic vision and thematic cohesion that continues to define this iteration of Batman. We have just passed the one-year mark since Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman hit shelves, and it’s been a rollercoaster ride since. This annual treats readers to three parts: the main story from writer and artist Daniel Warren Johnson and colored by Mike Spicer, “Sanctuary” by writer and artist James Harren and colored by Dave Stewart, and “Let’s Learn About Bats!” from writer and artist Meredith McClaren. Clayton Cowles acts as the thread binding the three stories together, providing lettering for the entire issue. His styling decisions respect each artist’s approach while ensuring the narrative voice remains consistent.
Daniel Warren Johnson was born to draw a lot of things, and Absolute Batman is certainly at the top of the list. Taking up the majority of this annual, Johnson’s art gives readers a fiery fever dream of Batman taking on a white supremacist group outside of Gotham. While doing the things that Batman can do is nearly impossible, the reality of this group is far too real. A priest who initially aids an injured Bruce Wayne, saying it best about the group’s leader. He tells Bruce, “I don’t know much about him, except that he’s been filling the holes in the hearts of our boys. Of all the men here, really. He’s given them a dark place to go.” The art is elevated by Mike Spicer’s bold coloring and embodies everything readers expect from their collaboration. Everything from the writing to the visuals carries a distinct blend of grit that feels uniquely suited to this impossible Batman facing very possible things.
James Harren’s pages capture a feverish, pulpy energy that channels horror similar to his and Dave Stewart’s work in the Hellboy Universe. Absolute Batman has all of the pieces that make up a great horror series, so Harren’s section feels right at home. Stewart’s coloring complements Harren’s work perfectly, elevating the tension while preserving clarity within the chaos. Meredith McClaren then closes the issue with a tonal shift. Her art embraces a sense of childlike wonder without sacrificing the overarching tone of the annual. Batman remains formidable in her hands, appearing in the peripheries, yet the stylization invites awe and hope, something missing from the series.
Final Thoughts
Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1 is packed with artistic innovation and narrative consistency. It fills in gaps and fleshes out the ongoing story. The issue’s creative teams do an excellent job of honoring the mood and visual language established by Snyder and his collaborators. At no point does his annual feel like a departure or filler issue, rather a further exploration of the world we were introduced to a year ago. The Batman found within these pages remains impossible in form, but shaped by the same realities that define ours.
Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1: Absolute Horrors
- Writing - 10/1010/10
- Storyline - 10/1010/10
- Art - 10/1010/10
- Color - 10/1010/10
- Cover Art - 10/1010/10
