ABSOLUTE BATMAN #17 is…fine…I guess.
Not bad, not great, just OK. And for a series that’s been consistently strong, this one is probably my least favorite issue so far.
This issue presents us the origin of the Absolute Universe’s Poison Ivy, and I’ll be honest: that probably explains a lot of my “meh” reaction. I’ve never been a big Ivy fan, and this issue doesn’t really change that. It’s competently told, sure, but it doesn’t make me suddenly care more about her in this new Absolute continuity.
We get the expected beats: Pamela Isley as a brilliant but isolated scientist, her connection to the green, and the tragic turn that transforms her into Ivy. There’s a slight twist in how her powers manifest — more symbiotic and less “eco‑terrorist with plant powers” — but it’s not a reinvention on the level some other characters in this line have received. It’s more of a remix, and a familiar one at that.
Batman is basically a supporting character in this story, popping in mostly as an observer rather than a driver of the plot. That’s not a big issue (we’ve seen this before in other issues), but when the issue hinges entirely on Ivy’s backstory, your mileage is going to depend on how invested you are in her. And I’m not invested in her.
The art remains top‑tier — moody and atmospheric. Visually, the book continues to kick ass. But story‑wise, this one didn’t leave much of an impression. Even the final reveal — Ivy fully embracing her new identity and totally leaving her previous life behind — lands with more inevitability than impact.
I will say that the tease at the very end of the issue has me very intrigued. I definitely want to see where this is going!
BOTTOM LINE: If you’re an Ivy fan, you’ll probably enjoy this deeper dive into her Absolute origin…maybe. For me, it’s a rare bump in the road in an otherwise excellent run. – Bill “Jett” Ramey
