Written by: Scott Snyder
Art by: Nick Dragotta
Colors by: Frank Martin
Letters by: Clayton Cowles
Cover art by: Nick Dragotta (cover A)
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: December 18, 2024
Absolute Batman #3, by DC Comics on 12/18/24, finds Absolute Batman confronting the harsh truth, presented by Alfred, that the infamous Black Mask can't be defeated with fists and fancy gadgets.
Is Absolute Batman #3 Good?
First Impressions
Absolute Batman #3 may be the best issue of the series to date. To be sure, Scott Snyder's over-the-top goofiness rears its wonky head, but the overall narrative takes on a more serious and determined tone to give readers something to think about. What's an Absolute Batman to do when his mission exceeds his resources? That's the question Snyder asks and answers in a hard-hitting issue.
Recap
When last we left Bruce Wayne in Absolute Batman #2, the "Caped" Crusader stepped up his efforts to uncover the identity of Black Mask and his secret agenda for the Party Animals gang. Bruce reached out to his gang of familiar childhood friends to get a lead on the one person capitalizing on the Party Animals' attacks. The issue ended with Absolute Batman cornered in an office building but escaping in the largest, slowest, most expensive vehicle possible.
Plot Synopsis
In Absolute Batman #3, we begin with the continuing flashback to a time after Bruce's father's death when Selina Kyle showed Bruce attention and kindness. Their evening of roaming the city gives Bruce a boost in courage.
Now, we pick up with the cliffhanger from issue #2. The Bat-Dump Truck "speeds" through the city streets while evading the Party Animals on motorcycles. Absolute Batman gives Alfred seconds to make his case for a partnership. To avoid capture/destruction from the Party Animals and pursuing police cars, Bruce flips a switch that converts the Bat-Dump Truck into a shorter Bat-Dump Truck to give them more speed (no, it doesn't work that way). When the Bat-Dump Truck runs out of room at the Gotham docks, Alfred finishes his compelling case for Absolute Batman to accept Black Mask's deal. Absolute Batman ejects Alfred into the Bay and drives the vehicle careening into the dark waters below, only to emerge in an underground lair via a drainage pipe.
Later, Ex-Mayor Hill brings Chief Bullock to Roman Sionis for a sweet deal that would supply Gotham City Police without vehicles and weapons to fight the Party Animals. Bullock is doubly impressed when he witnesses Sionis defeat a man twice his size in a sparring session.
Meanwhile, Bruce looks into the information that Black Mask is heavily funded by international crime lords and cartels connected to a private prison company. They're last project, Ark M, is the most advanced facility yet under construction in the heart of Gotham City.
With the violence escalating faster than he can fight, and his mother in the crosshairs after accepting the job of Deputy Mayor to support Mayor Jim Gordon during his re-election campaign, Bruce is forced to do the one thing he didn't want to do - compromise.
What’s great about Absolute Batman #3?
Here is the potential we've been waiting for. When faced with a global crime network, overwhelming odds, and risks to innocent people he can't protect, Bruce Wayne is forced to make a ethically painful choice.
That potential is valuable because the consequences of his choice have obvious benefits, but the possibility of a monkey's paw looms large. Now you're in a locked state of anticipation, wondering how this choice will turn out, and that's the making of a great hook.
Plus, the moments between young Bruce and Selina are as sweet and wholesome as any attempt by DC to tap into the YA market in quite a while.
What’s not great about Absolute Batman #3?
Give credit to Scott Snyder for the complex themes at play in this issue, but take some of the credit back on two points.
First, the over-the-top action scene in the beginning is silly to the point of ridiculous. A gigantic Bat-Dump Truck can't move fast enough to evade anyone going more than 45 mph, and dropping the roof to make it "sleeker" won't do a thing to improve the speed. It's still too big and heavy. Yes. the homemade jet engines help, but the whole concept is silly on it face.
Second, Snyder is trying to build up a big mystery surrounding the Party Animals and the identity of Black Mask, but you'd have to be deaf, mute, and blind not to figure out Roman Sionis is Black Mask. The man walks around in plain view with bodyguards, all wearing black animal masks. It's not a mystery that should take more than two minutes to solve.
How’s the Art?
Nick Dragotta's art shines in this issue by making the aforementioned chase scene a gripping one, even if it is silly, and for hitting hard with the character acting during several emotional moments. In retrospect, this is a dialog-heavy issue, but Dragotta's style has so much personality that you're pulled into each and every moment.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Final Thoughts
Absolute Batman #3 is the strongest and most gripping issue in the series so far. Scott Snyder finally confronts Absolute Batman with a problem that can't be solved with fists or gadgets, and Nick Dragotta's stylistic art makes even the quiet dialog moments captivating. Even if you find the Bat-Dump Truck a step too far, check out this issue.
9.3/10
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
Connect With Us Here: Weird Science DC Comics / Weird Science Marvel Comics
If you're interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.
No comments:
Post a Comment