Absolute Batman #15 is changing things up. Rather than telling the next chapter in Absolute Bruce Wayne’s story we are getting an origin story. Specifically, the origin story for Absolute Joker. This is following up how the previous story arc ended with Absolute Alfred Pennyworth offering to tell the origin story he knows of Absolute Joker. What revelations will we learn? Let’s find out with Absolute Batman #15.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Jock
Colorist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #15 SOLICITATION
“SCOTT SNYDER REUNITES WITH LEGENDARY ARTIST JOCK! Alfred reveals to Bruce the story of the man he’s been chasing for years. Enter: Joker! Scott Snyder and Jock reunite for an epic tale in the Absolute Universe!” – DC Comics
HIGHLIGHTS FROM ABSOLUTE BATMAN #15
Capturing Absolute Alfred Pennyworth’s Narrator Voice
Obviously Absolute Batman #15 is all about Absolute Joker’s origin story. What I found most impressive from what Scott Snyder did with this story is how he captured Alfred Pennyworth’s voice. Specifically, capturing Alfred’s voice as the narrator of Absolute Joker’s story. Snyder shows his understanding of how to write Pennyworth’s way of speaking when constructing his narration. There is a tone struck with narration that you immediately have an Alfred Pennyworth voice in your mind when reading his narration. That is so key in getting over constructing Absolute Joker’s origin around what Alfred has discovered about it.
Absolute Joker History Tied to DC Universe Wayne Family
In constructing Absolute Joker’s origin we see a lot of ties with the DC Universe’s Wayne Family. Alfred made sure to start back to Joker’s “great-grandfather”, Joseph Grimm, who started his fortune in Gotham City. Learning how the Grimm family would expand to the rest of the world to make the Just Kidding company a global powerhouse in all sorts of field gives a Wayne Industries feel to it. Even how the Joker’s Jack Grimm is designed in the to look like DCU’s Bruce Wayne. At least in Absolute Batman #15. Dating back the Absolute Joker’s history to be as early as the late 1800s all made the character an even bigger threat.
Mysterious & Terrifying Aura Created Around Absolute Joker
The original Jack Grimm starting out as a clown street performer, created an immediate sense of unease. That unease was proven to be the exact feeling the reader should have as Alfred reveals the sinister part of the Grimm Family legacy. Seeing how all the Grimm’s utilized tactics we know the Joker to use to build their empire and become a global power did so much. Adding in the possibility that all the Jack Grimm’s seen throughout history being the same person creates a whole new mystery. Which is exactly what any version of Joker’s character should be. Even with everything we now know about the Absolute Joker, it still doesn’t feel like we know him. There is a whole new level of mystery behind Absolute Joker with his monstrous true appearance and his true plans.
Jock Artwork Adds Tension to Revelations
Jock was the exact artist that this story needed to have. Jock nails creating a sense of tension with every page and panel we get in this issue. Even with what we are learning there is a feeling there are many more layers. Those layers are provided by how Jock draws the history of the Grimm Family leading into Absolute Joker’s current form. That all pays off in the second half of Absolute Batman #15 when we do peel back on the layers. Jock nails making everything look and feel like a revelation the reader must remember.
WHAT DIDN’T WORK IN ABSOLUTE BATMAN #15
Missed Opportunity to Tie-In More of Gotham City’s History
The only thing that was missing from Absolute Joker’s backstory is more information about his ties to Gotham City. Yes, we learn about how he started out in Gotham City. But beyond that we don’t see how the Grimm Family used their influence around the world to also deeply influence Gotham City’s current state. One of the coolest recent Batman concepts introduced was the Gates of Gotham involving the historic families of the city. It would helped further tie into what Bruce is doing as Absolute Batman that Absolute Joker was shown as filling the Gates of Gotham role as well.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Absolute Batman #15 nails what it aims to do: tell Absolute Joker’s origin story. Scott Snyder and Jock do so much to provide even greater depth to Absolute Joker’s character. At the same time there is still a mysterious and terrifying aura that radiates from Absolute Joker. It all helps build anticipation for what will happen when Absolute Batman and Joker finally clash in the future.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
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