Book Review: Absolute Batman, Volume #1 - The Zoo

It’s been a decent length of time since I last picked up a comic book by Scott Snyder. Coming from someone who doesn’t make it a common habit to pick up and read comics, even I know Scott Snyder’s name is synonymous with the modern-day world of DC comics. While his career at the company only really started in the 2010’s, Snyder wasted no time in making a name for himself as a consistently good writer with his contributions to the New 52 relaunch.  Known mostly for his written work on the Batman series, some of his most iconic storylines include The Court of Owls, The Batman Who Laughs and one of my personal favourites, Death of the Family. It seems even as of the current day and age, Scott Snyder is wasting no time putting his creative vision to defining another unique interpretation of the Caped Crusader with his Absolute Batman series, which I just finished volume 1 of.

Absolute Batman is set in a world with a notably different interpretation of Batman and his gallery of rogues.  Bruce Wayne in this world is not a rich billionaire, but is a blue-collar construction worker with a sharp and brilliant mind.  After losing his father at a young age to a public shooting, Bruce lost a lot of his innocence and hardened himself so that he might become something capable of snuffing out the criminal underbelly that has been allowed to fester under Gotham city for so long.  In the present day, Bruce now dons his cape and cowl and patrols the city as The Batman. As of late a new criminal gang known The Party Animals has begun a reign of terror across the city, shooting and killing indiscriminately without cause or care.  As tensions grow higher in the city, Batman chooses to take on the criminal gang himself by unleashing his own brand of brutal justice amongst its members, all in hopes of reaching and taking down it’s leader Roman Sionis, aka Black Mask.

There’s a reason Scott Snyder is revered for his writing skills within the comic book industry, the guy just gets Batman on such a fundamental level. His ability to capture the key defining aspects of a Batman story despite writing vastly different interpretations of the character over the years puts him right up there with the likes of Paul Dini or Frank Miller in my eyes.  In Absolute Batman’s case I love how different this world feels, especially with his usage of familiar characters in new and interesting positions.  Taking Bruce out of the rich-boy world and putting him a more grounded upbringing was a stroke of genius because it makes his plight with the criminal world he’s forced to endure all the more personal. His ability to apply himself and adapt to the brutality of Gotham city makes his ability to counteract it as Batman much more interesting too.  This version of Batman holds all the key characteristics we have come to love about the character but Snyder plays him a bit more brutal with how he combats his foes.  This is a Batman without access to a billionaires funding, so the unique way he pulls on his knowledge and resources to hone his craft makes him seem a lot more determined as a result. 

The world Absolute Batman inhabits is given so much definition also.  Snyder wrote this world to be notable in its grim nature while also putting a spotlight on the good its people are capable are giving despite it.  Batman may be the main character, but it’s worth highlighting how much effort Snyder goes to in realizing and defining everyone around him, friend or foe.  These aren’t just re-hashes of familiar characters; they each have unique and well-defined characteristics which help keep them recognizable but distinct in their own right.  Black Mask and his gang of Party Animals serve as a compelling first enemy to introduce this world through, because they are used to reflect the core issues plaguing Gotham with their lust for anarchy and death. Seeing the insane level of destruction they are capable of and the corruption they can easily draw out, makes them seem too big for any one man to take down. That’s how you set up a Batman villain in my eyes, you make the threat genuine and match it with Batman’s capabilities and determined efforts. 

Snyder’s new interpretation of the titular character wouldn’t feel half as interesting though if it wasn’t for the range of artists helping to bring his vicious world and characters to life. Nick Dragotta contributed the majority of the work as the main illustrator, with colors by Frank Martin.  There’s such a sharp and detailed edge behind Absolute Batman’s identity not just within it’s writing but within it’s art. Each panel within the volume’s six issues feels filled to the brim with detail that is devoted to reflecting the key themes of the narrative while also showcasing a bold and fresh take on the world.  One element clearly wouldn’t work as well without the other and the symbiotic relationship the writing and art share together help realize the (no pun intended) absolute quality that this series holds in its core. 

Absolute Batman is everything I wanted out of a new interpretation of the character.  Scott Snyder crafted an opening chapter with volume 1 which showcases to the reader that everything they ultimately love about the character is here but in some truly interesting and creative approaches.  Scott Snyder is able to grasp the essential identities of the character and dissect them in continuously new ways.  The end result is a world and story that feels more distinct than anything else that came before it with a landscape of potential variations and ideas to explore that leaves you wanting to experience so much more of it.