Warning! Spoilers ahead for Absolute Batman #6!Fans knew he was going to be despicable, but nothing could have prepared them for the realities of DC’sAbsolute Joker. It’s become clear that things are far more heinousin Darkseid’s new world, but the Joker goes to lows that will shock any Batman fan.
InAbsolute Batman #6by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, the Dark Knight is out to stop Black Mask before he manages to convince Gotham’s citizens to rip the city in half. Thankfully, Batman makes his way onto Black Mask’s boat, where he destroys Sionis' servers, ending his reign of terror for good.
In an undisclosed location,Absolute Joker hears ofBlack Mask’s failure. The billionaire villain is withered and is sitting with babies attached to him.The life force drains from the infants as Absolute Joker’s vitality is restored, telling his underling to fetch Bane for him.
Absolute Joker Literally Drains Babies of Their Blood to Stay Vital
There’s Scary and Then There’s Absolutely Demented
Because the world is operating off of influences from Darkseid,the Absolute Universe is far morebrutal and unforgiving than the Prime DC Universe. In this world, Bruce Wayne doesn’t have the fortune or company that his counterpart does, forcing Absolute Batman to get by on a smaller budget and whatever help he can get from his friends. Interestingly enough,while Batman is not a billionaire, the Joker is. Little is known about this world’s Joker, only that he’s a murderer and that he never, ever laughs (and that he’s rich enough to hide his true identity from everyone).
The idea of blood transfusions among the rich and powerful isn’t that strange a concept. Aside from something similar playing out in the currentDetective Comicsrun, there are actual real-life accounts of billionaires trading blood with younger people in an attempt to extend their health and lifespan (a trend parodied inSilicon Valley’s"The Blood Boy"). But what Absolute Joker is doing is far more heinous and evil, stealing the blood of still-living infants.Fans knew that this world’s Joker was going to be a monster, but now it’s clear that there’s no depth that he won’t sink to.
What Else Can Fans Expect from Absolute Joker?
Knowing Joker, This One is Just Getting Started
It’s hard to imagine someone more vile than the Joker, but it’s also hard to imagine the Prime Universe one stealing blood from living babies. But what’s worse to consider is that this is just what Absolute Joker is doing to expand his lifespan. He hasn’t even begun to make anyone’s lives hell just yet, preferring to let others take down Gotham like Black Mask or Bane. But if he’s willing to hurt the most vulnerable for one of the sickest pursuits of vanity, Absolute Joker is willing to do much worse to get what he wants.
Someone with Absolute Joker’s wealth and his sociopathic cruelty is a bad combination. Batman’s won one fight for Gotham’s soul, but with this kind of madman around, things are only going to get worse for the Caped Crusader from here. The Absolute Universe is a more difficult and challenging environment and a sicko likeAbsolute Jokermight just be the most heinous threat the Dark Knight has ever taken on.
