Absolute Batman #10 Review

Absolute Batman #10 Review

In a competitive 2025 comic book market Absolute Batman has stood out as one of the best series of the year thus far. That has a lot to do with what Scott Snyder and company have been able to accomplish with this series. They taken the opportunity provided by the Absolute Universe to give an all new take on Batman while not deviating from the core of the character and his world. The latest story arc involving Batman’s first battle with Bane was a good example of that as the Absolute Dark Knight has met a foe that may be to powerful for him. Let’s find out if that is the chase with Absolute Batman #10.

CREATIVE TEAM

Writer: Scott Snyder

Artist: Nick Dragotta

Colorist: Frank Martin

Letterer: Clayton Cowles

ABSOLUTE BATMAN #10 SOLICITATION

“BRUCE WAYNE TRAPPED IN ARK M! Bruce Wayne is trapped within the horrors of Ark M as his best friend Waylon Jones endures unimaginable tortures… but what awaits Batman is far more terrifying than anything either has faced… the true form of Bane is revealed. But it’s how Bane plans to break Batman that will have you, our dear readers, bending over backward.” – DC Comics

REVIEW

Well, damn. Absolute Batman #10 is certainly a reading experience. The ride that Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta is certainly one that tests the limits of Bruce Wayne. That limit is one where we as the reader and those putting Bruce through this ride that makes it memorable.

This, like the rest of this series, is a Bruce Wayne story. We spend the majority of this issue with Bruce without his cape and cowl. And even when he is not the physical focus of a scene it is Bruce’s presence that is always emphasized. By doing this it has you as the reader constantly thinking, without noticing, how Bruce, not Batman, will get out of this. It is an important distinction that further helps Absolute Batman standout in a market where we have a sea of Batman comic books DC Comics is always publishing.

Bruce is literally stripped down to his birthday suit and locked in a padded cell. By doing so Snyder and Dragotta are able to put an emphasis on how Bane and Dr. Ark M attempt to break Bruce. This isn’t about being extreme or getting a certain rating because of nudity. Bruce’s current situation plays an important role in what is going on in the story throughout Absolute Batman #10.

It is a set-up that makes the narration by Dr. Ark M an organic part of the story. Snyder is able to develop Dr. Ark M’s voice through the narration be as strong of a presence as Bane is physically. We see how Dr. Ark M is really treating Bruce, like the rest of her test subjects, as nothing more than wild animals to test and ultimately control.

There is also a sense of progression of what Bruce is put through. The opening we see Bruce still relatively in his normal, albeit injured state. With every passing day and failed escape attempt we see Bruce’s state deteriorate. Bruce’s state along with Dr. Ark M’s narration creates a greater level of concern for what Bruce is going through. That all makes for how we see no matter how physically he is being broken what Bane and Dr. Ark M can’t break is his mental fortitude. That is the core strength of Batman that is a constant and we see that with this experience.

Inner Circle - Absolute Batman #10
Bruce Wayne’s inner circle hanging out in Absolute Batman #10. Credit: DC Comics

While Bruce does ultimately escape the entire story does feed well into the Absolute Universe being a place where the villains won. Most importantly, Absolute Batman #10 emphasizes that it is not as simple as Darkseid helping the villains win. As Bane and Dr. Ark M show, the villains have made all sorts of preparations to be able to make sure they stay on top no matter what the heroes may do. It makes these characters come across as the most dangerous versions of them that we have seen.

Seeing how they’ve turned all those they’ve captured into literal animals makes Bane and Dr. Ark M even scarier villains. The visuals of how Absolute Man-Bat, Clayface, and other Batman villains are presented when Bruce comes across elevates the sense of danger. It makes the moment Bruce finds out what how Waylon was transformed into a Kaiju version of Killer Croc even more heart breaking.

To Bruce’s credit he makes sure he connects with Waylon as a friend rather than treating him like a monster. This is where all the time spent with Bruce’s inner circle from the flashback to present day scenes are so important. We have come to learn how close they all are with Bruce and Waylon established as best friends. This allows Bruce connecting with his best friend so that they can team-up in escaping Dr. Ark M and Bane’s clutches even more effective.

The escape also sets up a lot of interesting things for the next few issues to follow up on. Obviously the immediate concern is how Batman and Killer Croc will overcome Bane hunting them. There is then the sub-plot of Bruce having gone missing for three months. How the world responds to Bruce’s sudden reappearance and the questions that will bring are just as interesting as what is going on with the Batman side of things.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Absolute Batman #10 is yet another spectacular issue in one of the best comic book series on the market right now. Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta find ways to keep you constantly concerned about the situation Bruce Wayne faced. In the process, Bane and Dr. Ark M are established are incredibly scary villains that you don’t know if Batman can overcome. The high sense of concern keeps you constantly guessing what will happen next as you turn each page.

Story Rating: 10 Night Girls out of 10

Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10

Overall Rating: 9.5 Night Girls out of 10


For more opinions on anime, comic book, movies, and sports you can follow Kevin on Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, and Twitter/X.