Monsters.
Will Bruce Wayne become one, literally, to defeat Absolute Bane once and for all?
Or, will he ultimately stay true to doing things the right way as Batman?
Well, that’s the question we’re left with at the end of ABSOLUTE BATMAN #13, the pentultimate issue in the “Abomination” storyline. So yeah, we’re fixin’ to find out.
But before that, here’s where I’m at with ABSOLUTE BATMAN, a year-plus in…
Loved the first story arc, “The Zoo,” thought the second, “Absolute Zero,” was OK, and have been conflicted with the third, “Abomination.” Yet, what’s kept me around and interested with this title is that no matter how different things got with the Batman mythos, it was still very much Batman at the core.
And despite this arc being a bit of a roller-coaster in terms of how I felt about it — for real, it has pushed the limit on my Batman sensibilities and comfort zone — it all came together for me in the previous issue. All the stuff I questioned finally made sense; not only where writer Scott Snyder is going with this storyline, but where this title is headed as well.
With all that said, ABSOLUTE BATMAN — along with BATMAN: DARK PATTERNS and most of the Batman BLACK LABEL stuff — is WAY better than the stuff we’re getting in the legacy/monthly/in-continuity titles.
Yeah.
Back to issue #13…
This issue primarily focuses on the relationship between this Batman and this Catwoman. Yeah, it’s different in the ABSOLUTE Bat-Universe, but it ain’t all that different. We know that Bruce and Selina have been friends since they were kids, and “more than friends” for quite a while. We see just enough of The Bat and The Cat to want more in the ABSOLUTE future, and I expect we’re going to get it. Stay tuned on that, I suppose.
Ultimately, we’re headed for the final showdown between Bane and Batman. Bruce has been getting his ass kicked this entire arc, and it would make sense that Batman wins the showdown. I think he will; yet, as I previously asked, does he do it the “Batman” way, or does he give in to what would guarantee victory? ALSO…
What’s Alfred’s deal?
The Red Hoods?
And the role of the ABSOLUTE incarnation of a classic Batman villainess (who may end up being an ally of Batman)?
Lots of questions remain; not only about “Batman vs. Bane: The Big Dukeroo,” but about where this title is headed moving forward.
And I’m here for it. – Bill “Jett” Ramey
