Absolute Batman #9: A Bane in the Neck

If Absolute Batman has accomplished one thing, it has taken core elements of the Batman mythos and subverted expectations by morphing them into something new, almost as if it’s made from clay. The series has introduced enough characters and familiar elements that reel the reader in while delivering completely new takes. Bane has struggled to find a consistent or defining role within the broader Batman mythos. Whether it is live-action, animation, film, television, videogames, or even comics, the hulking masked villain has lacked a clear, lasting identity. Absolute Batman #9 – written by Scott Snyder with art by Nick Dragotta, coloring by Frank Martin, and lettering by Clayton Cowles – is part one of a new arc that aims to redefine one of Batman’s most notorious foes.

Absolute Batman’s first arc, “The Zoo,” hit the ground sprinting and laid the groundwork for the series’ visual vocabulary, setting a specific tone and voice moving forward. The last two issues acted as an interlude between arcs and featured art by Marcos Martín and coloring by Muntsa Vicente, and focused on Batman versus Mr. Freeze. The series hasn’t shied away from horror elements, but the inclusion of Freeze was the series’s first full step into horror with Freeze’s depiction. The interlude did the critical work of priming readers for what is to come, and one of the reasons why Absolute Batman #9 is so effective. If readers thought Absolute Batman was big, just wait until they lay eyes on Bane. Bane is traditionally a brilliant strategist and fighter who utilizes venom to amplify his strength and skill. Readers of Absolute Batman should expect something similar, crossed with Akira-esque transformations. 

Despite a truly unforgettable confrontation between Batman and Bane, it is the buildup that is the height of the issue. Snyder has been a master of pacing and weaving plots, leaning into the human elements of these larger-than-life characters. Nick Dragotta is delivering some of the coolest-looking art on shelves right now, but he can capture subtle emotion in the faces of characters. Alfred’s narration over Batman infiltrating Ark M will induce chills and leave  readers asking some big questions. Despite the almost fantastical elements of Absolute Batman, this has been one of the most human and grounded depictions of Bruce. Fear, happiness, sadness, and worry are all emotions that can be inferred from the art alone. Frank Martin’s color palette has been another crucial element to this series, defining tones and moods that become motifs, acting as a visual overture.