Warning! Contains Spoilers For Absolute Batman #4!
DC’sAbsoluteBatmancontinuity just put a completely different, and totally dark, spin on a classic moment in Caped Crusader lore. Now,the latest issue features a callback to a legendary moment fromBatman: Year One, echoing the early story, but in a radically different context, as theAbsolutecanon continues to redefine what it means to be Gotham’s protector.
Absolute Batman#4 – written by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, with art by Gabriel Hernández Walta – features a moment in which Bruce eavesdrops on a lavish charity ball for Gotham’s wealthiest.
While looking down on the most powerful, and most corrupt, citizens that Gotham has to offer, Batman monologues about how the rich have eaten well in Gotham City, and that they’ve taken everything Gotham has to offer. The dialogue is a direct link to Frank Miller’s epicBatman: Year One, but it appears under very different circumstances.
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Absolute Batman#4 – Written By Scott Snyder & Nick Dragotta; Art By Gabriel Hernandez Walta; Color By Frank Martin; Lettering By Clayton Cowles.
One of the most pivotal moments in Batman’s history occured inBatman: Year One– written by Frank Miller, with art by David Mazzucchelli. This was one of the first times thatBatman openly confronted criminals in Gotham City, and it was a scene to remember. While the top heads of Gotham’s mob were having a meeting, Batman blew the wall apart and entered the room, shrouded in darkness and smoke. It was here that he threatened the mob, telling them that they’ve “eaten well” on the innocents of Gotham, but their time to feast had come to an end.
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This moment is perfectly reflected inAbsolute Batman#4;however, instead of the mob, it is Gotham’s wealthy elite that have earned Batman’s ire.This makes perfect sense considering how Bruce Wayne grew up. While every version of Bruce has tried to fight against corruption, this Batman has more of a disdain for the ultra-wealthy, who use their money to make people below suffer, because this version of Bruce grew up in poverty. He witnessed firsthand how the rich affect the poor, which is why this scene works so well for this new version of the Dark Knight.
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AbsoluteBruce Wayne Targets The Highest Levels Of Power
TheAbsoluteversion of Batman is very different from the regular version that fans have gotten to know and love. Instead of growing up in the lap of infinite wealth,Bruce Wayne was the child of a relatively poor family.They lived on Park Row, and Bruce grew up with characters who would normally be his rogues' gallery in the Prime Universe. This separation from wealth changed Bruce’s point of view on Gotham. It has also significantly redefined the power dynamics usually at play in Batman stories, in a fascinating way.
While it is unclear just how far he’ll go to confront Gotham’s greediest, if it’s anything like hisYear Oneencounter, it will definitely be an event that will cement this version of Batman in the minds of fans for generations to come.
Batman is a character who will always fight corruption, no matter what. Yet the Bruce Wayne of the Prime-Earth had the money and social status to fight corrupt elitesas Bruce Wayne. The Absolute version of Batman doesn’t have this, which means he must give them a lot more attention as Batman. While it is unclear just how far he’ll go to confront Gotham’s greediest, if it’s anything like hisYear Oneencounter, it will definitely be an event that will cement this version ofBatmanin the minds of fans for generations to come.
Absolute Batman#4is availanle now from DC Comics!
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
