We’ve all seen Batman’s awkward first attempt at crime-fighting. We even saw a quote from Scott Snyder in this comic going all the way back to Year Zero. We’ve seen him doubt himself and struggle to find the best way to carry out his mission, both on screen and in a few pages. But we have never seen him like this.
Wearing a prototype suit that looks more like a vampire than a vigilante, this is an angry Batman who might love Nosferatu more than Zorro. Still, Bruce decides to think bigger, hang up his fangs, and become more than just horror. He decides to become an agent of corruption eradication. All of this is beautifully conveyed through three interwoven events in Bruce’s life: taking the stand to confront his father’s killer, brainstorming with his father for a science contest, And his first year as Batman.
direct current
The typography and caption style of Batman’s Inner Monologue echoes Todd Klein’s cursive and paper-like box lettering from Batman Year 1. We finally get inside Batman’s head and get a change of pace away from Alfred. The change in artist complements this, with Gabriel Hernández Walta holding the pen, fitting in with the dirty, gritty past, and Frank Martin’s colors helping to give continuity.
Like the previous issue, there were a lot of memorable moments, especially the Batmobile and truck scenes that made me laugh out loud. In many ways, this may feel like a greatest hits to long-time readers, but with everything epic about the Dark Knight laid out on its pages, you may have never read the manga before. It’s also a perfect introduction for those who don’t have it.
My favorite part is the conversation between Bruce and his father. They encapsulate the core of Bats and what’s special about Bats, and in a meta way, they illustrate Batman’s entire place in the world. The juxtaposition of their dialogue in the background and the panels showing Batman in action is what makes the comic so special. I can see why he’s so big and uses an axe. It’s all a conscious decision by Bruce and the creative team on this book. There is a psychological reason for everything, and I admire that.
The great thing about this issue is that it can be read out of context as a character study and an exploration of what people in the world need right now. Perhaps beyond Gotham City, perhaps even more than the comic book industry, people need something big, something extreme to spur us into action. And here we have the shape of Batman between the covers.
Absolute Batman #4 pays homage to the caped crusader’s storied history by offering a perfectly reinterpreted origin. A fresh take on Year One at the turn of the new year, perfect as a stand-alone single issue. It’s a personal story, with a healthy dose of social commentary, and an ambitious balance of homage and new ideas. This series has a freedom that previous Batman comics haven’t had, and I’m particularly excited about how it explores Bruce’s relationship with his parent’s killer.
Absolute Batman #4 is a bigger, more modern year one
“Absolute Batman” #4
Absolute Batman #4 pays homage to the caped crusader’s storied history by offering a perfectly reinterpreted origin. A fresh take on Year One at the turn of the new year, perfect as a stand-alone single issue. It’s a personal story, with a healthy dose of social commentary, and an ambitious balance of homage and new ideas. This series has a freedom that previous Batman comics haven’t had, and I’m particularly excited about how it explores Bruce’s relationship with his parent’s murderer.
The flashbacks are evenly paced and have a nice variation, giving us a glimpse of Bruce’s good intentions without the trauma.
Gabriel Hernandez Walta’s art fits Gotham’s grimy streets and hallways well
The story feels familiar, but there are enough differences to make it exciting, including treading similar ground in brand new bat-shaped boots
