Absolute Batman #17 has arguably been the most promoted Absolute Universe comic book outside its launch. That is all due to the debut of Absolute Poison Ivy. The character designs for Absolute Poison Ivy we’ve seen from the covers have captured plenty of attention. It has made her a breakout character before even debuting. Let’s see if the debut can deliver on all the hype with Absolute Batman #17.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Eric Canete
Colorist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #17 SOLICITATION
“ABSOLUTE POISON IVY SINKS HER TEETH INTO ARK-M! Dr. Pamela Isley has been unleashed from the Ark-M facility with an unending hate and burning fire for revenge on Gotham City, and those who put her in the belly of the beast. When Batman hunts her down, he must survive a labyrinth of leveled horrors, one more gruesome after the next, as he tries to save the city from a monster it created.” – DC Comics
REVIEW
Absolute Batman #17 delivers a haunting origin experience for the debut of Absolute Poison Ivy. From the moment you open this comic book you feel that something is off. You’re not sure what that may be. But there is that vibe from the very beginning. That all makes it so you have an immediate sense of immersion in how things will unfold.
The Origin of Poison Ivy
The tone is immediately set by how Scott Snyder, Eric Canete, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles go about introducing to us to Absolute Poison Ivy. From the dialogue, design, coloring, and text styling, everything about the opening page is different. It creates a sense of wonder about who Absolute Pamela Isley is as she is getting a whole different presentation.
This does a lot for each time we would get a page that details Absolute Pamela Isley backstory is weaved into Absolute Batman #17. The presentation is done in a way that it does not get in the way of the pacing of the present day story. Rather, these backstory pages enhance the present day stuff with Absolute Batman dealing with the Poison Ivy problem in Gotham City.
Bruce Wayne’s Life Falling Apart
Pamela’s solo narrative also does a lot to what we see from the reaction to what Bruce Wayne does as Batman. His actions are making an impact in ways he did not want. Things are getting out of his control. And it is no longer his inner circle that are reacting to him.
This is where Scott Snyder really gets into his bag of bringing in more Batman characters into play. We see Jim Gordon, Martha Wayne, Jack Grimm, Harley Quinn, Barbara Gordon and Dick Grayson all have some screen time. It is done in a way that isn’t just for fans to pop because these characters are in the story. They are part of the greater narrative going on around Bruce.
Going with this approach helps to show how Absolute Gotham City is a living and breathing city. There is an impact Bruce is having as Absolute Batman than just giving the city a protector. His actions in and out the cape and cowl have an impact. Its an impact that has ramifications that are felt by the people living in Gotham City.
Diving Deeper Into Gotham City Horror
Tapping into Gotham City being a living and breathing city enhances how Absolute Batman goes about dealing with Absolute Poison Ivy. A statement is made about Absolute Poison Ivy’s power set right away. Seeing the Gotham City covered in ivy and other plants shows she is a powerful character.
This power grows over time as we see how the more Absolute Batman deals with the Poison Ivy problem the worse things get. This isn’t a scenario of simply trimming the weeds. The more time Absolute Batman spends dealing with the situation the more plant creatures he has to deal with.
Which gets into how Snyder does a great job of pacing this story to morph from a typical superhero story to a horror house-style story. The setting gets more brutal and creatures that Absolute Batman fights get more frightening. It builds up the anticipation for the full reveal of Absolute Poison Ivy’s true character design be a home run debut.
Artwork Adapts to Story Tone
The strong pacing of Absolute Batman #17 is something that guest artist Eric Canete seamlessly steps up to help handle. Canete’s artwork, along with Frank Martin coloring, makes sure the style established by Nick Dragotta is kept up.
Canete does a lot to make sure the reader knows to show Gotham City is densely populated. That isn’t thrown in your face. Simply showing panels of Bruce and others walking in streets filled with people is enough. It puts in the reader’s head that the present day Absolute Poison Ivy attack is impacting the entire population.
Doing that makes the struggle Absolute Batman has against Absolute Poison Ivy have stakes you feel as the reader. This is a situation that our hero needs to solve or else lives could be lost. Which in turn adds to how terrifying and threatening Absolute Poison Ivy is. She appears to be one of the most powerful villains in the Absolute Universe.
The only part where Canete’s artwork doesn’t work is when drawing Bruce Wayne. The way he draws Bruce’s face at times feels like a child who is on his buddies shoulders while trying to pass off as an adult. Luckily the rest of the comic book looks so good this does not get in the way of the immersion of the story.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Absolute Batman #17 knocks it out of the park with the introduction of Absolute Poison Ivy. Her backstory combined with what she does in the present day makes her come across as the most terrifying villain in the Absolute Universe. That, along with how Bruce Wayne must deal with the impact his actions as Absolute Batman are having to the world keeps you constantly engaged. This makes Absolute Batman #17 an incredibly immersive reading experience that’s must-read.
Story Rating: 10 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
For more opinions on anime, comic book, movies, and sports you can follow Kevin on TikTok, Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, and Twitter/X.