Absolute Batman #9 was dominated by the overwhelming presence of Absolute Bane. To say that Absolute Bane made an impact would be an understatement. Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta immediately made Bane one of the most threatening villains we’ve seen in the Absolute Universe. As much of an impact as the major villain’s presence made it was something else that caught my eye about Absolute Batman #9. What this latest entry in the Absolute Universe says about Bruce Wayne that has possibly made this my favorite version of the character.
BATMAN FAMILY BECOMES ABSOLUTE INNER CIRCLE
One of the many changes that has occurred in Absolute Batman is the dynamics Bruce Wayne shares with those in Gotham City. Specifically, the change in relationship Bruce has with Harvey Dent, Waylon Jones, Selina Kyle, Oswald Cobblepot, Edward Nygma, and Matches Malone. Normally five of these make up a large part of the Batman’s Rogues Gallery while the other is an alter ego Bruce has used to go undercover. But in the Absolute Universe it’s been established that Harvey, Waylon, Selina, Oswald, Edward, and Matches were Bruce’s childhood friends. Not only that but they know that Bruce is Batman and has been helping him with his mission to protect Gotham City.
The importance of Bruce’s inner circle of childhood friends has been shown throughout the series thus far. Their dynamic was prominently featured in the ninth issue after Waylon was kidnapped by several people and taken to Ark M. While we didn’t see what happened to Waylon there was no time wasted in not only figuring out where he was but how Bruce and co protected their friend.
All of this we once again see how this group of childhood friends that Bruce has around him has become the Absolute Universe’s Batman Family. It doesn’t have to be said but we see how Harvey, Waylon, Oswald, and Edward specifically play a big role in keeping Bruce grounded. Even when he gets pissed off that it seems Oswald is calling him out for doing a poor job as Batman Oswald talks to him as a friend. In their own way Bruce’s childhood friends keep him grounded, not to different from what we see from the Batman Family in the main DCU right now.
There is also the wildcard in all of this being Selina Kyle. Thus far we have only seen Selina in flashbacks, but we know she is still part of Bruce’s inner circle. Though for her she is very much in the love interest role with Bruce and the others seem to be fine with her thieving ways. With how close she has been shown to be Selina could play a big role in how Bruce attempts to save Waylon from Ark M.
BRUCE WAYNE IS ABSOLUTE BATMAN
Reading Absolute Batman #9 highlighted how immersive of a universe the Absolute Universe has been. Especially when reading this issue from Snyder and Dragotta over again the thing that stood out was Bruce’s scene with his inner circle. It wasn’t just the way Bruce interacted with his childhood friends and new ally in Alfred Pennyworth. What stood out was the framing off the scene.
Specifically, it was the fact Bruce was dressed in his Batman gear without his cowl on. This design choice emphasized that Bruce’s inner circle knows about his work as Batman. But more importantly this whole scene really highlighted the fact that Bruce Wayne is Batman, not the other way around. There is always a strong argument made that Bruce Wayne is the mask to the real character that is Batman. That is not the case in the Absolute Universe. Here Bruce is Absolute Batman.
This all goes back to an important thing established in Absolute Batman #1. Bruce didn’t go off traveling the world and returned already fully formed as Batman. From the beginning it has been emphasized how Bruce has spent most of his life learning Gotham City inside and out. Even when Bruce left for schooling it was all with building the skills to get himself even more integrated into Gotham City.
In the process Batman really is just an extension of who Bruce Wayne is. Not wearing a cowl during his inner circle meeting speaks to this fact. Being Batman part of the greater work Bruce is doing to protect and save his city.
To Snyder and Dragotta credit, they have done such a good job at making this way Bruce operates such a natural part of the world. It further helps separate Absolute Batman from other versions of the character. And all of that is done in a way you don’t notice because of the immersion created from the story.
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