Absolute Batman #23 main cover by Nick Dragotta (DC Comics)
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #23
Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art and Main Cover: NICK DRAGOTTA
Variant Covers: KAARE ANDREWS, JUAN FERREYRA, JEFF SPOKES, DAMION SCOTT, GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 8/12/26
This review contains spoilers
The opening conversation in this issue between Julia and Alfred says it all. We’ve been watching a slow burn over the past few issues of Absolute Batman, but as you read through #23 it’s becoming clear Bruce is nearing his breaking point.
After learning his dad may be alive in #22, Bruce is now teetering on the brink of paranoia and that risks alienating those closest to him. Giving Bruce a friend circle was a unique choice, but anyone who knows the history the character had to figure a Batman with a social life wouldn’t last forever. Especially when that social life is anything normal.
Meanwhile, the Robins are recharging after their battle with Batman when Jason Todd decides to go hunting on his own despite warnings that they need to regroup. It looks like they might succeed until something goes very, very wrong and we get a twist on yet another classic Batman moment done in a brilliantly different way: someone dies, but it’s not Jason.
Analysis
Bruce’s mindset is made crystal clear from the beginning. Alfred talking to Julia about Bruce swinging at shadows shows the slippery psychological slope Batman is on. When you swing at shadows, you often hit those that are closest to you.
Meanwhile, as the Robins are regrouping from their last battle, Jason grows impatient in the way he always has in other iterations. You don’t expect it here, but this impatience will eventually lead to this Robin facing his infamous fate. Except it’s not Jason who dies. It’s Tim.
This twist is already unexpected, but what makes it even more surprising is who the villain is that does it. It’s not The Joker/Jack Grimm. It’s Clayface, imitating Batman.
Meanwhile, we see Bruce is quickly unraveling. He’s already dealing with the trauma of knowing his dad is alive which has sped up his psychological decline.
He’s also now accusing those closest to him of being involved with Jack Grimm and what happened at the zoo way back in the first issues of the series.
That means Harvey, Waylon Jones, Eddie Nygma, and Ozzie are now under Batman’s suspicion. Obviously these are all traditional members of Batman’s rogues gallery, but in the Absolute timeline they’re his closest friends. Or at least they….were? Scott Snyder has been setting this up for awhile and it’s coming time for it pay off. The slow burn of them turning on each other has gotten a little annoying.
Bruce finally does hit a breaking point when Alfred and his mom arrive. What follows is a shocking attack on someone he holds close before someone finally gets him to stop. It’s a tough watch but it also shows how far Batman has fallen into a mental pit. This is where Snyder is at his best:
What follows is Batman fleeing and getting caught off guard by two of the Robins. During a moment of arrogant celebration by Tim Drake who has captured Batman, we see crows arrive and that is an indication of trouble approaching. Scarecrow is back and this time he has help.
The form of Batman takes shape and it’s Clayface.
Another “Batman” has joined the fracas and the battle set up by the cover of the issue is commenced.
The battle between Batman and his clay counterpart is nothing short of brilliant. It shows how well simple dialogue can work. As the two duke it out, the clay Batman simply repeats what the real Batman is saying but in a mocking tone. It’s like Batman is looking through a cracked mirror that can also reflect sound.
The battle ends, and a rageful Jason sees what happened and swears revenge on Batman. Yet another seed is planted to see this Robin evolve into something different. The beginning Absolute Red Hood is here and I can’t wait to see what Snyder and company do with him.
We’re now at the point to talk about the flashbacks in the issue. The storyline of Bruce working for Falcone as The Bat is fleshed out a little more here, but how will it end?
Final Thoughts
Another Absolute Batman issue with some absolutely shocking moments. The growing fracture between Bruce and his friend group has slowed to a crawl, which is getting annoying. However, Scarecrow’s impact can be fully felt in this issue and that was a welcome surprise after previous issues relegated him to the sideline.
