I went back and reread Absolute Batman #1 (originally released October 9, 2024) after we’ve now passed issue 21, with #22 dropping next week. That’s over a year and a half of perspective on where this series is headed, and I wanted to see how the foundation holds up.
What Still Holds Up
A lot of the storytelling tools Scott Snyder used in this first issue are still being used effectively now. The way he intertwines the past and present to give context and weight to current events was already strong here and has remained one of the series’ best strengths.
We get the core setup right away: no mansion, no money, just an absolute warrior version of Batman. That premise is introduced cleanly and sticks. The origin elements (the zoo, the engineering competition, the loss of his father) are handled with real care and feel foundational rather than just setup.
Alfred Pennyworth is introduced as something very different from the traditional butler — a mercenary who does what he’s told (so still a servant). His tracking of Batman and their eventual confrontation is one of the strongest parts of the issue. The reveal that Batman had actually been following him the entire time is a great twist (and stole his bike!), and their final exchange (including Batman modifying Alfred’s gun to be non-lethal) still lands well.
The Party Animals and Gotham’s New Criminal Landscape
The Party Animals are introduced as something genuinely disturbing. Hearing about them burning down a daycare and what they did to a family immediately establishes that organized crime in this Gotham has escalated beyond the usual levels. Their meeting with Falcone and the way they completely dismantle the old power structure sets up a more chaotic and dangerous city than we’re used to seeing in Batman stories.
This version of Gotham feels meaner and more unpredictable from the very beginning.
Bruce Wayne and the “Academic Batman” Concept
One of the things that has aged particularly well is the groundwork laid for Bruce’s development. We see him working construction, faking an injury to protect his body, and later studying everything from applied mechanics and chemistry to public policy and the city’s infrastructure. The idea of “Academic Batman” — someone who deeply studies and understands Gotham on both a macro and micro level — is seeded here and has clearly paid off as the series has progressed.
His first appearance as Batman is also handled very well. The full-page drop-in, the brutal but non-lethal methods, and the clear intent to send a message all work. It feels like a proper introduction to this version of the character.
What I’m Still Thinking About
One thing that stood out to me on this reread is that, in some ways, this version of Batman isn’t quite as different from the classic version as the marketing sometimes suggested. He’s still incredibly skilled, still has access to advanced (or at least very effective) tools and weapons, and is still portrayed as a genius who can master multiple disciplines. The “no money, no mansion” angle is interesting, but it does raise some practical questions about how he funds everything.
That said, the core emotional throughline and the way the story is told still feel fresh. The name drops and first appearances carry extra weight because we know this is the Absolute Universe — everything has the potential to be twisted in interesting ways.
Final Thoughts
Absolute Batman #1 is an excellent debut. It grabs you immediately, sets up its version of Gotham and its version of Batman with confidence, and plants a lot of seeds that the series has continued to grow. Even knowing what comes later, it holds up extremely well as a first issue.
It’s easily one of the strongest currently running comics, and it still feels like one of the best starting points in the entire Absolute line.
If you haven’t gone back and reread the first issue in a while, I’d recommend it. A lot of what makes the current run work was already there from the beginning.
What did you think of Absolute Batman #1 when you first read it, and has your opinion changed after following the series this far? Drop your thoughts below or tag me on X @NostalgicNestEg!
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Absolute Batman Vol 1 ‘The Zoo’ (1-6):
Absolute Batman Vol 2 ‘Abomination’ (7-14):
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