REVIEW: ‘Absolute Batman’ Issue 21

Absolute Batman Issue 21 is published by DC Comics and written by Scott Snyder, with art by Nick Dragotta, colors by Frank Martin, and letters by Clayton Cowles.

The Robins try to bring Batman in, Jim Gordon is laid to rest, and Jack Grimm steps out of the shadows.

Absolute Batman Issue 21 occurs immediately after the events of Issue 20, before delving further into the story. The first scene is a tense and energetic standoff between Batman and the giant Robin mechs. There’s a great pace to the battle, with multiple fronts to the fight. Both sides have people in their ears, trying to find an advantage and command them. And it doesn’t end the way that some may expect, even considering the number and size advantage.

The fight is destructive and explosive, and that devastation has ramifications for the rest of Absolute Batman Issue 21. It shows that Scott Snyder’s violence in this series is more than just senseless. Then comes the emotional impact, with a funeral for Jim Gordon. It remains hard to accept that the Absolute version of Jim Gordon is dead so early without us really getting to know him. And it adds to the city’s tension as one of the good guys is taken off the board.

The story transitions to the four of Bruce’s friends. It’s clear in this moment how far from home they are, teetering on the edge of darkness. And then, lastly, the great orchestrator of Bruce’s life, Jack Grimm, announces his arrival. It’s another intense confrontation that captures the primal horror this version of the Joker exudes. He’s frightening and intense, but not yet unleashing into a full fight. Instead, the slow burn simmers once again.

The character development inside Absolute Batman Issue 21 is spread everywhere. So many characters are included through either lengthy periods of dialogue, or just a single moment, that demonstrate who they are. This can be found within the Robins, a large group of individuals whose personalities are starting to shine through. Dick is there to be helpful and is always concerned about the innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. Meanwhile, Jason is entirely focused on getting his shot off, hotheaded and violent.

There is a lengthy conversation between Barbara Gordon and the Robins, straight after the heartache of her father’s funeral. It’s an example of the moral quandaries sparked by this new task force’s involvement. They cause just as much damage as Batman does, and Barbara is starting to show an allegiance towards the Caped Crusader.

Then there are Bruce’s friends who have all been irreparably changed by Bane. Killer Croc, Penguin, Two-Face, and the Riddler have all been transformed. When they talk about the things they have done, it is dark and murderous. It’s alarming how easily some of them have started to lose their humanity, with Waylon being the only one who seems to have retained his morality.

Ozzie and Harvey are really demonstrating that they have evolved into their full selves. There may be only a small part of their old selves left, but it is hidden behind scar tissue and hatred.

The conversation between Joker and Batman is fascinating because it highlights two very different stages of life. It should be remembered that this version of Batman is young and relatively inexperienced. In contrast, The Joker is immortal, having survived hundreds of years. He has Bruce on strings, terrifying him. It’s also interesting how meticulous and well-spoken this universe’s version of the Joker is, whilst he remains a vicious, inhuman monster.

The art is spectacular. Dragotta makes both the quietest and extreme moments shine. The battle with the Robins is a fantastic spectacle. The robots are huge, matching the height of skyscrapers. And yet, Batman tries and succeeds in inflicting some damage. The danger comes when the mechs retaliate. If they fire their guns or swing their weapons, it causes a swathe of damage. Buildings can collapse, and a simple mistake can crush Batman.

Then, at the funeral, Dragotta focuses on Barbara. She’s at the front of the church, alone and heartbroken. And yet, when facing multiple members of the Robins, she is defiant, angry, and strong. The police officer has shown repeatedly that she goes off on her own and formulates her own opinions, never really siding with any particular affiliation.

The current designs of Bruce’s friends carry so much story within them. They look older, carrying the scars of their assault in a way that has made them decrepit and disturbing. Penguin looks similar to other versions that have appeared across the parallel universes of the DC Universe, but Two-Face looks distinct and unique. The long hair obscures much of the ugly part of his face, also giving him a devilish demeanor. There are only glimpses into what Cobblepot and Dent have been doing, but they tell full stories within these brief sojourns.

The location of the final scene is stunning and perilous at the same time. Bruce is standing on the end of a steel beam, precariously hanging over the city. It adds a level of danger, as it could become difficult to stay balanced when a character known for sudden jump scares appears.

The colors are superb. The Robins give the mechs a fantastic vibrancy. While many of the bodies are a metallic blue, there are also large flashes of red and green. It makes the pages more exciting and energetic. There are panels of the pilots or of Slade Wilson in the command room. Where the rest of the page is dark, the flashes of red ramp up the intensity. The colors given to Two-Face are striking and the classic black-and-white contrast is terrific, with an alarming blue covering half his body. There is a lot of text within this chapter, but the lettering remains easy to read throughout.

Absolute Batman Issue 21 carries forward a city full of stories. Whilst Batman may be a charging figurehead and the tip of the spear, the rest of the city and the characters expand around him. He is remaining out of contact, and so they are being forced to carry on. Scott Snyder doesn’t toss these figures to the side and let them change out of sight; he places them at the heart of the comic. This consistent creative team allows for an extended, epic saga to be told.

Absolute Batman Issue 21 is available where comics are sold.