Beginning in 2024, DC launched its Absolute Universe. For anyone unfamiliar, this is similar to the Ultimate Universe from Marvel. Initially I was reluctant to pick up Absolute Batman purely due to the fact that I wasn’t really on board with the hulking look of Batman. Suffice it to say, after reading Volume one of this acclaimed series, I regret not picking this up day one. Written by Scott Snyder, a man who for these past 14 years has demonstrated mastery over The Bat, and once again delivered a fresh and extremely engaging saga in the mythos of Batman. For a character that has been around for 86 years, I wouldn’t have believed there would still be engaging and inventive stories to tell with but in just six issues I was blown away by this Absolute take on the character.

Turning the character of Batman on his head is no easy feat, but Snyder and artists Nick Dragotta, and Gabriel Hernandez Walta, breathe new life into the Batman. The core of the character is still intact, with some new twists and surprises, like losing his father instead of both parents, being childhood friends with characters who in different continuity become enemies, and not having wealth to build himself out of any situation. These are just a few differences made to this version that makes him feel so much more grounded of a character than he’s felt in years. This Batman is not only brilliant, but resourceful in ways other iterations haven’t had to be due to the inherent wealth he always seems to have, as opposed to starting from the ground up.

Absolute Batman by Scott Snyder and artists Nick Dragotta and Gabriel Hernandez Walta, is understandably one of the hottest series on comic stands monthly and I finally understand why. Incredible storytelling with art to match, Batman has never felt as fresh and compelling a character as he does within these pages. For anyone holding out on this title like I was, don’t. This has been one of the best volumes of anything I’ve read in 2025 and I personally can’t wait to dive into more from not only Batman, but the plethora of titles set in this Absolute Universe.

10/10.