Absolute Batman #12 Review: The Abomination Arc Gets Even Darker with Twisted Takes on Penguin, Two-Face & Riddler

Absolute Batman #12 just dropped (9/10/2025) and it continues the brutal “Abomination” arc in a big way. Scott Snyder and Nic Dragotta keep delivering dark, innovative storytelling.

The Setup

We’re deep in the Abomination storyline. Bane has warped Waylon Jones (Killer Croc) into a monstrosity, and now he’s targeting three of Bruce’s old friends/allies: Oswald (Penguin), Harvey (Two-Face), and Edward (Riddler). Their fates in this issue are tragic and downright screwed up.

The Cool (and Brutal) Parts

• The body horror and psychological elements are turned way up — Snyder mixes raw emotion with brutal action.
• Dragotta’s art is hauntingly vivid and perfectly fits the grim tone.
• Batman is wrestling with heavy guilt over these broken friendships.
• We get some strong flashbacks that deepen Bruce’s past.
• The issue ends with a big tease for what’s coming next (maybe already spoiled by #13 covers).

Criticism

Packing Penguin, Two-Face, AND Riddler into one issue feels a little rushed at times. Each character arc could have used more room to breathe, but the hopeless vibe and Bruce’s guilt still hit hard.

Final Verdict

This is another strong issue in the Absolute Batman run. The “Abomination” arc is must-read material — dark, bold, and full of gut-punch moments. I’m giving it 4.5/5 bats. The series continues to be one of the best in the Absolute line and in all currently running comics.

What did you think?

Did Absolute Batman #12 hit for you? What was your favorite (or most disturbing) moment — the twisted villain fates, the guilt over old friends, or that final tease? Tag me on X!

Originally posted as a thread on X — check out the original conversation here:

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