Absolute Batman #5

It’s been longer than a month since the release of the Absolute Universe’s answer to Year One, an incredible comic which gave us so much insight into this elseworlds Batman origin, which also means that it has been longer since we have seen events in the current time period in the series. Fans have been eagerly awaiting to see the outcome of Batman’s shocking choice, now the time has finally come for answers which means it is also time for our Absolute Batman #5 review.

In Nerdy Nook fashion, this review will be spoiler free, but make sure you have read through the previous issues before continuing.

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The Review

Image by DC Comics

Before the Year One style addition, in case you had forgotten in these long 2 months, we saw Batman give up being the Batman for a large price. Though his choice was for the greater good of the people of Gotham, there comes a certain uncertainty. Will the Party Animals actually stop causing chaos while the Batman is absent? Was this ultimately the right choice to make? Luckily enough we got all the answers in Absolute Batman #5.

Of course if there was anyone that could make Batman step down, it would be Black Mask. Not only is he rich and powerful but as a business man, he knows how to sell – the use of these beloved characters in the Absolute series are excellent and execute such a believable narrative. We’ve slowly been introduced to Black Mask and for quite some time he seemed almost like nothing more than a name drop, however that is not the case in this issue.

In Absolute Batman #5 we see a side to Bruce which I found myself frustrated with, not in a bad way. If anything a comic book making me hate one of my favourite characters feels oddly impressive, something I did not think was possible… or at least not with Batman. Although, I do not think the aim here was to make me hate him. I think I am supposed to be more understanding but all I could think at first was ‘how could he so easily turn a blind eye on the city and people he swore to protect’. Whether this was Scott Snyder’s goal or not, this story really highlighted the difference between this Batman and the one we know and love which made it all the more enjoyable.

However, if there is one thing consistent in the Absolute series it is to expect the unexpected. From this point of the story, everything felt very… well… Batman.

Image by DC Comics

As always, Absolute Batman #5 left us with a cliff-hanger and this one was a big one. Everything seems so uncertain when reading these comics, well most the time, and that’s what I love about them. I did feel as though today’s issue was a little predictable and while that is not to say I did not enjoy it, without saying too much I feel like they could have gone the other way with it and it would have been just a good a story – this way just felt a tiny bit obvious.

The gore continues to be quite heavy but it is never in poor taste or unnecessary. I will say though, I wish people would stop breaking arms in the Absolute universe – every time I see a that in a panel, I can’t help but squirm. Maybe it’s because I suffered a severe breakage when I was a child, or maybe it’s because these scenes are just very graphic, either way please start going for different limbs Scott.

Despite a few of my thoughts, this was an exceptional comic. As a whole, this series is my favourite ongoing series of recent and I cannot wait to see where it takes us in the coming months.

Image by DC Comics

Absolute Batman #5 shows a more vulnerable side to Batman which we had yet to see in this series. The decisions he seemingly made in order to try to do the right thing makes him so much more relatable than first expected, especially when the inner conflict of those decisions shines throughout this issue.

Every storyline feels necessary and every panel is as visually stunning as the last, there is so many reasons to love these series but most of all is purely its uniqueness. I have never read another comic like any of the Absolute Batman comics – the series truly does deserve the love it is getting ever single month.

What are your thoughts on Absolute Batman #5? Which issue is your favourite so far? Whatever your thoughts and feelings, share them with us in the comment section of this article.

See also: Previous issue review

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