Absolute Batman #19 is the start of a brand new story arc. If the main cover is to be taken at face value than this could be one of the biggest single issue of Absolute Batman thus far. We see on the main cover that Jack Grimm, aka Absolute Joker, will be returning to Gotham City. He won’t be alone as we get our first glimpses of what appears to be Absolute Scarecrow and Absolute Robin. What else will get from this issue? Find out with our review of Absolute Batman #19
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Nick Dragotta
Colorist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #19 SOLICITATION
“ABSOLUTE SCARECROW EMERGES FROM THE SHADOWS OF ARK M AS A NEW STORY ARC BEGINS… Poison Ivy proved to be just one of the many horrors within the bowels of the ARK M facility, and as Joker sets his sights on Absolute Batman, he decides to enlist the help of one of the center’s most terrifying doctors, Dr. Jonathan Crane. While Bruce Wayne tries to align himself with Barbara Gordon, there’s more than one alliance formed in this issue. New debuts, new villains, new arc starts here.” – DC Comics
REVIEW
The unpredictable nature of Absolute Gotham City continues to be the greatest enemy for Absolute Batman. That is once again proven by Absolute Batman #19 delivering one shocking development after another. These developments range from personal relationships being tested to decisions made, some not of the characters choice. It all leads to a comic book whose importance can’t be overlooked.
Absolute Scarecrow Makes Immediate Statement
There were a lot of notable things that happen in Absolute Batman #19. Which says a lot that one of the characters that stood out most was Absolute Scarecrow. To say that Absolute Scarecrow maximizes the amount of time he is in this issue would be an understatement. The character personified a terrifying presence.
Absolute Scarecrow statement making debut is done the moment you open this issue. Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta immediately make you feel that this is unlike any version of Scarecrow we have seen. This version of Scarecrow utilizes mental torture as one of his weapons. We see this with how he manipulates two brothers to kill them by simply revealing deeply personal secrets one was hiding.
Establishing this method that Absolute Scarecrow has in his repertoire made what he did to Jim Gordon even scarier. We see the classic Scarecrow elements in this scene, and you feel that his design by Dragotta is more than just a terrifying design. The character has many ways to psychologically attack any of his targets
Impact of Jim Gordon’s Fate
Absolute Scarecrow firmly establishes himself to what he leads Jim Gordon to do. That action is being hit by suffering from some sort of Fear Gas attack. This caused Jim to jump off the GCPD rooftop out of fear. The fact that Batman was unable to react quick enough and Jim fell to his death was shocking.
The shock of Jim Gordon’s death is given an even bigger impact by the fact that it was such a big public showing. The people on the streets that see or hear the impact of Jim’s body hitting the ground see Batman on the GCPD rooftop. With that it is easy to paint Batman as the one who killed Jim Gordon. With that we immediately feel that the public sentiment for Batman’s presence in Gotham City flips from savior to public enemy #1.
Jack Grimm & Absolute Deathstroke Activate Robin Protocol
There is no time wasted in how the city responds to the perceive murder of Jim Gordon at the hands of Batman. With this we get the introduction of Absolute Robin in the most unexpected but fitting way for the Absolute Universe.
Why it is so fitting is these plays into how deeply intrenched Absolute Joker is with Gotham City’s history as his many versions of Jack Grimm. The Absolute Robins being part of the Jack Grimm’s greater plans works well with what saw in Absolute Batman #15. Using an orphanage to “mentor” kids like Absolute Dick Grayon, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Duke Thomas, and Stephanie Brown works as an extension of previous revelations with the character.
Using these characters once again shows how many DC Comics characters have a specific fate. It is how the Absolute Universe warps that fate as we once again see iconic heroes being constantly challenged that makes this work so well. There are even hints in the reaction by the Absolute Robins and their status quo that show there will be more than them just being loyal soldiers for Jack Grimm.
Absolute Batman Allies More Important Than Ever
While they do not take much screen time, Snyder makes sure that the supporting cast is a continued presence. Bruce’s interactions with Waylon Jones/Killer Croc, Alfred Pennyworth, Harley Quinn, and Jim Gordon all showed how deep he is in being Absolute Batman. The battle with Absolute Poison Ivy drove home how Bruce does feel he has to do things alone as much as possible.
Especially after Jim Gordon was killed off, characters like Waylon, Alfred, and Harley are more important than ever. They need to be there to help ground Bruce even as he becomes public enemy #1 and hunted by Jack Grimm’s Absolute Robins. If not, he could descend down a path of personal destruction.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Absolute Batman #19 nails the sense of unpredictability as you turn every page of this comic book. That unpredictability is immediately established by the impactful debut of Absolute Scarecrow. From there we once again see how Gotham City challenges towards Bruce Wayne grow even more intense. It all leads to major developments that are a reminder of the wealth of opportunities the Absolute Universe opens up to twist classic DCU concepts in new, intriguing ways.
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
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