Absolute Batman #1 Review: Darkseid's Gotham & The Party Animals!

Absolute Batman: Darkseid's Twisted Gotham and the Rise of the Party Animals!

Absolute Batman #1: A New Gotham, New Villains, Same Bat-Intensity!

Holy Darkseid, Batman! DC Comics’ Absolute Batman has arrived, and it's a whole new level of gritty Gotham! This isn't your average bat-tale. Forget the colorful rogues gallery we're used to – this new world is born from Darkseid's dark energy, warping reality itself. This series begins with Alfred (MI-6 agent Alfred Pennyworth) returning to this crazy new Gotham; where he is forced to return to face an unprecedented enemy. Get ready to enter a world where hope is scarce and violence is rampant!

It's worth emphasizing here, for readers unfamiliar with this specific comic series; The series creators decided that there's a brand-new multiverse involved! This event starts in DC All In Special #1 where Darkseid bonds with the Spectre – attempting to seize unimaginable power– ultimately failing. His destruction spreads that sinister energy; reforming reality in an alternate Earth! This becomes The Absolute Universe, mirroring his tyranny and shaping its inhabitants in disturbing ways, which then gives rise to the kind of world seen in Absolute Batman.

Also Read: Absolute Batman #1: Billionaire Joker & Darkseid's Twisted Gotham!

Meet the Party Animals: Gotham's Deadliest New Gang

Absolute Joker Officially Debuts DC Image

Absolute Batman #1 (by Scott Snyder, art by Nick Dragotta, colors by Frank Martin, and letters by Clayton Cowles) introduces The Party Animals: They’re this insanely violent criminal gang already making this dystopian world more brutal! In just three months, they've spiked Gotham's murder rate by 700%! These are not normal criminals. They literally set a daycare on fire; causing immense harm, these criminals truly don't stop! This highlights the absolute chaotic nature present in the events of this particular Batman story.

This story's initial tension starts here; Alfred investigates their brutality. He's ordered to spy – not to fight; a wise call given their dangerous actions. This investigation will force him to reconsider his relationships with several other characters found in this series which only deepens the plot even further! That initial encounter showcases some intense violence which highlights the unique differences between this new iteration of Gotham and its established, somewhat safer counterpart, showcasing how intense the threats present are. And it's exactly this chaotic setting which is responsible for developing even more complex relationships between those familiar characters, who already have history. Yet their history here is entirely different.

Also Read: Ex-Minion of Darkseid: A Former Apokolips Fugitive Threatens the Justice League.

Darkseid's Twisted Influence: Reshaping Classic Villains

This Batman is quite unique! Unlike that regular Gotham we know; this new version includes friendships between Batman and many villains like Penguin, Riddler, and Killer Croc. Their typical chaotic schemes don’t even exist here; these are completely changed. What does that mean? Totally new, way more intense villains who replace those typical thugs and organized crime entities, creating this truly dark reflection of the established multiverse! That dreary landscape creates these perfect villains and sets the stage for how extreme this whole situation would become. They have to match Batman in a significantly worse universe!

This setting's importance in the initial episode creates an essential thematic background in creating those truly dangerous villains and makes Batman’s role as even more essential: this demonstrates just why he is needed here; This specific background created the necessary tension which gives Absolute Batman an enormous initial weight and makes The Party Animals’ actions even more intense!

Also Read: New Absolute Batman Design Makes Prime Bruce Wayne Look Weak

What's Next? Even More Intense Villains Await

Darkseid in Comic Art by Jason Fabok Image

Given Darkseid’s energy-infused nightmare of a city– this already dark and unpredictable backdrop shows plenty of possibilities! And the series creators are already teasing others—Black Mask and a truly deranged Joker (an amoral billionaire). But Darkseid’s dark magic could introduce anything, even completely unknown villains who’d surpass that extreme increase in violence, creating this incredibly dangerous world, constantly keeping readers intrigued!

Also Read: Justice League Gets a New Origin in Batman/Superman: World's Finest #32!

Conclusion: The Absolute Universe's Darkest Knight Has Arrived!

Absolute Batman is insanely different! A truly Brutal world born from Darkseid makes for incredible stories, creating a deeply unsettling version of that well-established hero. The Party Animals? Just the beginning; a seriously dark forewarning and introducing that chaotic setting; a stark reminder of just how significant these choices are; leaving an everlasting effect upon the overall character portrayal that establishes the importance of Batman and Alfred’s role within those larger changes! This shows that those earlier successes and familiar characters found throughout the established multiverse are deeply necessary within the creation of an ongoing, truly compelling universe; a very powerful world!