Absolute Batman #16 Review

Another week, another Absolute has dropped and this time it is part two of the Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman crossover event. The first part of this crossover, Absolute Wonder Woman #15 took fans by surprise. It was the perfect blend of the two characters worlds in an exceptional first real glimpse at how Absolute Justice League might work. Lets see if this issue lives up to the hype in our Absolute Batman #16 review.

This review will be spoiler-free. However, we do recommend you read Absolute Wonder Woman #15 before continuing as it gives great context for this story.

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The Review

Image by DC Comics

Following the events of the Abomination story arc, Bruce must rely on a new friend to help turn Waylon back into the human he once was. Though it is too late for Oz, Ed and Harvey, Bruce will go to hell and back (literally) to save the people he loves in this Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman crossover special.

Firstly, despite being ‘part two’ of the Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman crossover event, this issue does not feel like a direct continuation of that. Absolute Wonder Woman #15 did of course show us their introduction and the start of their strong alliance, but this issue is not Batman x Wonder Woman, it is simply just another Absolute Batman comic featuring Wonder Woman. However, whatever you want to call it, this issue was exceptional.

One thing this comic did highlight however, is actually how weak Batman is in comparison to the hellish beings portrayed in Absolute Wonder Woman. This was interesting… not disappointing, just interesting and it actually felt authentic. I think we all forget at times, Bruce is just as human as the rest of us, he just happens to train hard and have a badass suit and gadgets we cannot easily get our hands on, seeing him bested maybe him much more relatable.

Diana in this comic, though more of a supporting character, had such a strong presence. She felt like the same Wonder Woman we have seen throughout her series but having her help Batman, watching him struggle, really just showed us how powerful she is. There was one thing I could not get past while reading Absolute Batman #15, and that is how we need an Absolute Justice League comic where all of this universes heroes come together. It does seem to be on the table, although with a different name since the villains already claimed it in this universe.

Image by DC Comics

Absolute Batman #15 opened up the possibility for more crossovers to come. In a moment that is easily overlooked, Wonder Woman says “Since the Talisman of Hecate will only work three times, I can assume you’re summoning me for something dire.” The fact that the Talisman works three times and this is only the first time its been used pretty much guarantees there are more team ups to come. What I would like to see is Absolute Batman and Absolute Superman fight together against something big, like Doomsday, then realising they stand no chance without the help of Wonder Woman forcing Batman to use the Talisman once again (feel free to use this idea Scott Snyder).

Once again Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin bring this issue to life with some truly exceptional panels. Not only does this issue showcase the incredible illustrations we see every Absolute Batman issue, but they have managed to perfectly blend the other worlds we see in Absolute Wonder Woman tying these series together even more than ever. I am most excited to see how they draw other worlds and characters from this universe in future crossovers.

In short Absolute Batman #15, though it is more a Batman comic than a Batman x Wonder Woman comic, tells a story that expands the universe and really defines these two heroes highlighting their strengths and weaknesses. This issue was not exactly filler since it ties in perfectly with the abomination arc, but it was a nice side quest for Batman to take before the next arc featuring Ivy.

Image by DC Comics

Absolute Batman #16 was an exceptional crossover comic which perfectly blends Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman in a way that felt natural and not just a gimmick as crossovers often can feel. It is story rich, visually stunning, and opens up the series for many more crossover events in the future.

What are your thoughts on the Absolute Batman #16 and the Absolute Batman/Wonder Woman crossover event? Whatever your thoughts and feelings, share them with us in the comment section of this article or on our Instagram page. Until next time, thank you for reading!

See also: Previous issue

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