Absolute Batman, Vol. 1
The Zoo
| Authors | Scott Snyder (writer), Nick Dragotta (issues #1–#3, #5 artist), Gabriel Hernández Walta (issue #4 artist), Frank Martin (colourist), Clayton Cowles (letterer) |
|---|---|
| Year | 2025 |
| Original language | English |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| Format | Paperback |
| Pages | 176 |
| ISBN | 9781799505259 |
| Goodreads | View on Goodreads (opens in new tab) |
| Rating | ★★☆☆☆ (2/5) |
After starting the Absolute Wonder Woman series, I had high hopes for this one too. A brand new Batman, this time apparently poor and with a radically different story.
And I must admit, the story is quite different and there are some surprises. With Wonder Woman it seemed, in the first few issues, that although Diana ended up in a similar place personally, she was a different type of heroine, and other characters were different. Here, with Batman, the context is quite different, and the initial supporting cast is also different, although recognizable. But as for the poor Batman… we’re told he is. We’re “shown” through him mentioning how much things cost and apparently being money-conscious… but apart from mentions there are few consequences. This Batman seems to have similar resources to the really-rich Batman.
Batman really gives it all at the gym.The volume collects the first five issues, which together make up the arc “The Zoo”. It introduces the motives and childhood of Bruce Wayne, as well as presenting the current state of Gotham. The story starts interestingly, and lives up to expectations until about issue #4, where, to me, things get silly and any pretence of maintaining suspension of disbelief is lost.
Still, it’s fun enough and I’m really curious to see how it evolves so that I will continue reading to see what happens. That said, maybe with fewer expectations.
On the art side, Dragotta doesn’t do a bad job, but sometimes the action was a bit confusing, and everyone is on big amounts of steroids. If people were less jacked, there could be twice the action per page. I liked Hernández Walta’s art a bit more.
As for Martin’s colouring, it was quite good in my opinion. The flashbacks all have a colour wash, which brings an “old times” impression that helps as well.
All in all, I’d expect DC and Batman fans in particular to enjoy it, but I see it as a lost opportunity for new people trying to follow the character.