Absolute Batman #21: Bird on the Wire

Absolute Batman #21, written by Scott Snyder, with art by Nick Dragotta, colored by Frank Martin, and lettered by Tom Napolitano, throws readers right into the action and does not slow down. Scott Snyder continues to demonstrate why Absolute Batman is one of DC’s most compelling books. Snyder, as always, does a fantastic job of balancing larger-than-life action with quieter character moments, delivering both with an intensity that keeps the story moving at a near-perfect pace. The development of the Robins remains one of the series’ most fascinating subplots. What is so interesting is that they act as a collective entity, and at this point, almost two-dimensional characters. However, Dick Grayson was introduced before the Robins, which is an interesting point since he is beginning to emerge as an individual voice within the group.

If one word had to be used to capture this series, it would be monstrousness. Absolute Batman is a series about what happens when humanity is stripped away, both literally and metaphorically. A standout sequence involving Bruce’s friends perfectly illustrates this idea. Like Bruce becoming Batman, they reflect the reality of the world around them, products of this Gotham. Nearly every character is shaped by a Gotham that feels fundamentally broken, forcing them to adapt, or regress, in unsettling ways. 

Nick Dragotta once again delivers stunning visuals. His sense of scale is outstanding and gives the issue a larger-than-life feel while still capturing raw emotion. Dragotta’s layouts also do an excellent job of keeping up with the pacing of Snyder’s writing. Frank Martin’s colors complement Dragotta’s artwork perfectly and ensure that every page feels alive, matching the intensity of the writing and artwork. Tom Napolitano’s lettering is a welcome addition and really is an essential component of this issue.