TheAbsoluteversion ofBatmanis targeting the ultra-wealthy of Gotham, who are best represented by the radically reinvented version ofThe Joker. Rather than a supervillain in this new continuity, Joker is a super-elite, and this change encapsulates everything that is unique aboutthis iteration of the Dark Knight’s mythos.
In an interview withComicsbeat.com, Scott Snyder – co-author ofAbsolute Batman, alongside Nick Dragotta – offered some insight into the creative team’s goals for Bruce Wayne in this new canon.
Notably, Snyder discussed how theAbsolutecontinuity redefines Batman’s mission, bysending him after the most wealthy, and most corrupt, citizens of Gotham, instead of his traditional rogues' gallery – and how the Joker plays a crucial role in that change.In this continuity, Joker is among the elites, and his sinister plans will soon set him on a confrontation course with the Caped Crusader.
Absolute Batman Has A Very Different Relationship To The Wealthy
Absolute Batman#4– Written By Scott Snyder & Nick Dragotta; Art By Gabriel Hernandez Walta; Color By Frank Martin; Lettering By Clayton Cowles.
The Bruce Wayne of DC’s Prime Universeis one of the wealthiest characters on Earth. Bruce is in charge of Wayne Enterprises, which has dozens of subsidiaries. This comfortably puts Bruce in the upper echelons of Gotham society. Because of this, Bruce is significantly more comfortable fighting the ultra-rich as Bruce Wayne. If he has to go after a billionaire as Batman, he will, but time and again, it’s shown that he prefers to fight the rich with his own money and resources. Considering Bruce’s position in society, he has a much easier time directing their money than fighting them.
Absolute Batman Creator Unpacks the Universe’s Surprising Inspiration: “Batman Is the Spirit I See in Them”
Scott Snyder gets candid when discussing Absolute Batman and reveals what influenced him while creating his dynamic and angry new Dark Knight.
Snyder elaborated on how Bruce’s changed origin re-orients his targets as Batman, noting:
He’s both literally and figuratively climbing up the chain of what he sees as the problem to the top. Not wealth in and of itself, but the people who have decided that they’re going to use these positions of power to enrich and reinforce their own status by giving nothing to anyone and thinking of nothing but themselves. That they’re going to sort of abuse and twist the system itself to benefit themselves even further.
So far, this is the defining feature of theAbsolute Universe version of Batman. This version of Batman hasn’t been born into the lap of luxury. This Bruce Wayne grew up in poverty, which means he’s never experienced having excess wealth. It makes fighting the wealthy a much more difficult thing. Bruce isn’t used to that life, to the point that they almost seem alien to him. Because of this, he’s unable to fight them as Bruce –yet he can still go after them as Batman.
Absolute Batman Is The Wealthy’s Worst Nightmare
No Amount Of Money Will Keep Them Safe
One of the most iconic moments ofBatman’s history was inBatman: Year One, when Batman ambushes a group of mobsters who are celebrating their illegally gained profits. Batman blows a hole through the wall and delivers a chilling speech, pointing out that while the criminals have fed well on the innocents of Gotham, it ends now. It was an instantly classic moment, and now Scott Snyder has taken that moment and twisted it,making Batman’s number one enemy in Gotham City the wealthy who ruin it.
While the ultra-wealthy of Gotham, including the Joker, might not care for the opinions of this Bruce Wayne, they’ll definitely learn to fear this version of Batman.
Bruce has always tried to stop crime in Gotham City, and it didn’t matter whether it came from ordinary criminals or the highest levels of society. But the Bruce Wayne of the Prime Universe simply has more resources than the Absolute Bruce. Prime Bruce can easily walk into a multi-million dollar charity and direct the flow of money through his charm and subtle manipulations. The same can’t be said of the lowly construction worker. Yet while the ultra-wealthy of Gotham, includingthe Joker,might not care for the opinions of this Bruce Wayne, they’ll definitely learn to fear this version ofBatman.
Absolute Batmanis available now from DC Comics!
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
