It's already that time again? I could've sworn I only just read the last volume and got done with Absolute Superman! But hey, I'm more than happy to have another volume to read, and Absolute Batman has been kicking off nicely going into its fifth volume. This has been a story that at first seemed strong, had a general weak point due to its reliance on the formulaic backstory structure, but immediately jumped back into the interesting stuff. Previous volumes saw a masked group causing havoc across Gotham, and it was revealed that these masked individuals are simply men for hire, to which the masks hold digital identification systems that both offer them work and pays them directly through a form of cryptocurrency. Little snippets of Batman's history as young Bruce, and the ways in which he managed to learn and grow independent through the teachings of his father from a young age. There's been quite a lot of things to unpack within just four volumes, and I absolutely love it for that! And it has kept me curious as to where things are heading, especially with how it often teases snippets of narrative going into each volume, barely revealing anything but giving you just enough to remember that Bruce is in the present, and that present is riddled with challenges that run through the city. One of which was previously Alfred, a secret agent that had been observing Bruce, figuring out his identity and watching his every move. Finally catching him but also discovering the sheer chaos of Bruce's life as Batman. An unstoppable force that shouldn't be toyed with. Even so, Bruce still sticks true to the no killing narrative despite the increased brutality in his actions.
With that brutality from Bruce comes a much more exaggerated design for his character. The Bruce Wayne of Absolute Batman isn't one that holds a ton of money, nor does he come from a high-end family with real estate and mega-corporations propping him up. His creations are his own, and he comes from a regular family to which he holds a regular job in construction as he aims to rebuild the city as it gets destroyed; though that job also works nicely in offering information into the more secretive locations of the city that he utilises during the days and nights as Batman. Bruce is also in his younger 20s, and isn't quite a man yet. Though that's hard to believe with that exaggerated design. Batman looks actually threatening here. A massive being that's absolutely shredded. Huge arms, huge feet, and a massive barrel torso. I love how he's designed to the point of hardly even appearing human, especially in comparison to the foes he encounters with tend to be quite skinny and small. Throw this in with unique perspectives in the art style, and Batman's general design is one that is incredibly unique. You don't see Bruce Wayne, but instead a strange being that lurks within the shadows. Emerging in great scale.
What I did enjoy about this volume was how it portrayed Batman as this near invincible being, though in reality he's still capable of getting roughed up pretty good. Panels in which that strength and brutality is displayed in some rather graphic ways: the spikes on his armour utilised and absolutely destroying someone's arms in the process -- and this is met with Alfred's participation to which he goes a little more beyond and kills. Though one could throw out the argument as to whether having your arms turned into mere lumps of shredded flesh is as bad as instantaneous death, I guess! But that's what makes the comic fun! And seeing that contrast between the two characters is certainly going to be something that provides an interesting dynamic throughout. Alfred a trained soldier, Bruce a vigilante with a troubled past and odd fascination with bats due to his zoo trip as a child that led to a shooting and death of his father. Yeah, it wouldn't be a Batman story without Bruce's father (at least) getting killed off somehow. But this was glanced over to some degree. More showing how Bruce came to creating his character of Batman. And the influence he had in the first place. Not to forget the connection his character has to the zoo, which is mentioned to have been demolished and replaced in this volume.
This was another hit for a volume. I absolutely loved reading through it and felt that each panel followed the previous with something genuinely interesting. A depth that had me wanting to see more and more. The differences in Alfred, the brutality of Batman and the damage that Bruce can handle. Even down to the seemingly corrupt Batman that accepted a $200m deal with the enemy, though using that many for symbolism rather than direct profit and something to purchase and upgrade. A clear sign that Batman doesn't care for money at all even with his status as a regular citizen with little money to spend. This is a meaningful aspect of his character given the struggles he has to develop and maintain his costume. Black Mask having it made clear as day that there can't be peace between them, and that Gotham isn't as safe as he thinks it can be with Batman alive and roaming the streets. It felt like a lot of escalation within the story, that Bruce had taken a leap to make the entire situation far more tense between them, and that war is on the brink of starting within Gotham's streets.
This is by far the strongest of the Absolute stories so far. In terms of art, it nails everything pretty much perfectly; still with that cool comic book style, a little bit cartoonish in style and colours, but detailed when it needs to be. Using perspectives that really highlight the seriousness of a character and their emotions, giving everything the intensity it needs. A really well orchestrated comic so far. And I say this as a person with next to no actual interest in the Batman story. This one is just that unique and immersive.