Absolute Batman #8 continues the second story arc of the series with Absolute Mr. Freeze taking the spotlight as the lead villain. Already Absolute Mr. Freeze has been established as a terrifying villain that looks like Batman will not be able to defeat. Especially considering Bruce Wayne is entering this story still injured from his clash with Black Mask and the Party Animals. How will things turn out next? Let’s find out with Absolute Batman #8.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Marcos Martin
Colorist: Muntsa Vicente
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #8 SOLICITATION
“Gotham in the grasp of Mr. Freeze! Batman is in the fight for his life against this icy new threat. But in the end, what terrifying truth will be unearthed about Ark M and… Joker?” – DC Comics
REVIEW
Absolute Batman #8 takes what was done in the first issue with making Mr. Freeze a terrifying villain and goes to another level. The way Scott Snyder and Marcos Martin handle the story you get lost in the immersion. You feel trapped like Bruce Wayne is by Mr. Freeze as the torture Bruce goes through resonates off the screen. It is an incredible accomplishment by this creative team.
The standout thing about Absolute Batman #8 is how Marcos Martin’s artwork captures the experience that Mr. Freeze puts Bruce Wayne through. It is a whole different way to create a journey that is unique to this story. Which translate to how unique Absolute Mr. Freeze is as a villain. It is not just the character’s design that makes him terrifying. Everything from how he walks, emotes, and talks in unique to this version of Mr. Freeze.
Which all works to how Snyder captures the voice of Absolute Mr. Freeze. The writing is on point with how differently the villain speaks. It is a tone of voice you hear while reading the dialogue that creates a sense of unease.
That unease elevates the level of danger you feel Bruce is in as he goes through the painful cryostasis process he is put through. You’re left wondering how Bruce could even get out of this situation as he is completely locked in place in is chamber. By creating this question it makes the way Snyder and Martin show how Bruce prepared for such a situation come across as even more clever.
The device in Bruce’s cast was not made with the intention of escaping being locked in a cryostasis chamber. But that is where how resourceful the character comes into play. He used his prior prep of just being ready in case he needed a weapon into a way to escape. It is all done in a way that it is more about how resourceful Absolute Bruce Wayne is rather than pre-planning for every situation.
This in turn made the showdown between Absolute Batman and Mr. Freeze have an equal playing field. Not only was Batman injured going into this he was still dealing with the effects of being frozen for a period. How that impacted his fighting style played in well into horror elements of this version of Mr. Freeze. Because the longer the fight got dragged out the more all of Batman’s injuries would catch up to him. Which made it make sense that once Mr. Freeze unleashes his frozen army that Batman needed to escape rather than try to finish off the villain.
Through this entire experience we also see Bruce flashback to a previous conversation with his inner circle continues to be the secret sauce to this series. Seeing Bruce interact with childhood friends is so different from what we’ve seen from other Batman portrayals. Seeing how Eddie, Harvey, Waylon, and Ozzie do not hesitate to call out Bruce for his attitude adds a whole new layer to the character. It is the honesty from those who grow up that cut deeper than those of his proteges or peers he’s met as Batman.
This also helps to naturally bring in more insight into Bruce’s history. Eddie, Harvey, Waylon, and Ozzie bring in the fact left out of the original telling of Bruce’s origin story that his father stayed outside to save Matches Malone. This tidbit completely changes things as it further drives home the good person Thomas Wayne was. It was also a detail that seemed to be left out by Bruce so he didn’t have to think of possibly blaming one of his childhood friends. Which in turn makes Matches an even more important person to the mythology of Absolute Batman as he also had his guilt over Thomas’ death.
Developing Bruce’s inner circle this way made the ending of Absolute Batman #8 even more effective. There’s genuine concern about what is going to happen to Waylon as he has been captured by Ark M and Joker. The character has been so well developed as the leader of Bruce’s group that you don’t want anything bad to happen to him. But given his capture we are left with the gut wrenching thought something horrifying will happen to him.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Absolute Batman #8 is incredible storytelling. Scott Snyder and Marcos Martin’s creative chemistry was on point. They make Mr. Freeze a truly terrifying villain that you genuinely feel concerned about how Bruce Wayne can survives what he is put through. That along with the emotional revelations and the ending with what Ark M does all create a strong sense of immersion in the story. The immersion of the story drives home why this is one of the best comic books on the market on a monthly basis.
Story Rating: 10 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 10 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 10 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.