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Absolute Batman (2024) (Single Issues)
Absolute Batman (2024-) #9
The latest development in saving the derelict and despondent of oursociety is a facility known as Ark M—a fully operational institution thathas played a rather sizeable part, on purpose or not, in the creation ofevil. And it’s active. So when Bruce tries infiltrate it and distill its secrets,a new villain from Gotham City arrives to deal with the problem…an oldadversary of Alfred's…a man known only as Bane.
Kindle Edition
Published June 11, 2025
90 people are currently reading
192 people want to read
About the author
Scott Snyder
1,753 books5,281 followersScott Snyder is the Eisner and Harvey Award winning writer on DC Comics Batman, Swamp Thing, and his original series for Vertigo, American Vampire. He is also the author of the short story collection, Voodoo Heart, published by the Dial Press in 2006. The paperback version was published in the summer of 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews
March 22, 2026
these covers don’t represent me 🧍♀️
(it gets worse)
(it gets worse)
June 11, 2025
Lesbian sex? No, just suspiciously girl shaped Bruce Wayne
January 19, 2026
Bane.
He's unhinged. And Batman is about to come face-to-face with him.
The setup for Bane is great here. Part monster, part enforcer, and the scary thing is how much he seems to enjoy his job.
Apparently, Alfred knows something about what he is or who he works for. I don't know, there's more to that story. The ending is a cliffhanger, and it almost seems to point to some larger overarching conspiracy, kind of like the Court of Owls.
Not sure I'm 100% on board with another one of those "evil from the dawn of time" storylines again.
Then again, why not? This is Snyder's chance to tell the weirdest Batman story out there.
Ok, so Bruce is scouring Gotham for his childhood friend, Waylon "Croc" Jones, who was taken by some nefarious group for (we assume) equally nefarious purposes. He's found where he thinks he's being held, and Alfred is supposedly helping him break into the building.
Hmmm. We shall see.
Recommended.
He's unhinged. And Batman is about to come face-to-face with him.
The setup for Bane is great here. Part monster, part enforcer, and the scary thing is how much he seems to enjoy his job.
Apparently, Alfred knows something about what he is or who he works for. I don't know, there's more to that story. The ending is a cliffhanger, and it almost seems to point to some larger overarching conspiracy, kind of like the Court of Owls.
Not sure I'm 100% on board with another one of those "evil from the dawn of time" storylines again.
Then again, why not? This is Snyder's chance to tell the weirdest Batman story out there.
Ok, so Bruce is scouring Gotham for his childhood friend, Waylon "Croc" Jones, who was taken by some nefarious group for (we assume) equally nefarious purposes. He's found where he thinks he's being held, and Alfred is supposedly helping him break into the building.
Hmmm. We shall see.
Recommended.
June 11, 2025
When Bane co-creator Graham Nolan referred to Nick Dragotta's visual update of the villain for this issue of Absolute Batman as a "terrible abomination," I don't think he knew just how right he was, even if he was far too quick in his dismissal. To their credit, Scott Snyder and Dragotta take the piss out of Nolan's complaints, titling this installment, suitably, "Abomination."
This Absolute version of Bane is, indeed, an abomination, and in all the best ways possible. As he did with Mr. Freeze, Snyder presents a horrific twist on the character and teases up a few other story and character threads that we can expect to be covered in this new story arc.
Snyder also continues to show that if you're going to take such intimately familiar characters and give them a page-one overhaul in a brand-new universe separate from the main DC continuity, this is the way to do it. This book has been phenomenal the whole way through, and it doesn't look like Snyder and Dragotta will be slowing down anytime soon. I love not knowing what's going to happen next, or what direction they'll be pulling us readers in, but goddamnit, suddenly I wish it were July already.
This Absolute version of Bane is, indeed, an abomination, and in all the best ways possible. As he did with Mr. Freeze, Snyder presents a horrific twist on the character and teases up a few other story and character threads that we can expect to be covered in this new story arc.
Snyder also continues to show that if you're going to take such intimately familiar characters and give them a page-one overhaul in a brand-new universe separate from the main DC continuity, this is the way to do it. This book has been phenomenal the whole way through, and it doesn't look like Snyder and Dragotta will be slowing down anytime soon. I love not knowing what's going to happen next, or what direction they'll be pulling us readers in, but goddamnit, suddenly I wish it were July already.
June 26, 2025
Bane looks bad and sounds bad. His dialogue and shrunken head are just terrible. I hated this issue so much.
July 17, 2025
absolute bane so freaky
June 11, 2025
Loved the introduction to Dick Grayson as an EMT. Batman's war is heating up, and Bane is here to take it down.
June 12, 2025
Hey, that’s what Dick Grayson said in Titans season 1 episode 1 too
June 12, 2025
Okay, Absolute Batman #9? A total, fucking KNOCKOUT. This is genuinely what I've been waiting for since day one. Everything in this issue just hits differently, but it still tastes undeniably like Batman. We're talking phenomenal moments with his allies, top-tier planning, Bane being absolutely terrifying, and the world-building with characters we adore (Grayson!). Seriously, I can't get enough of it now.
January 4, 2026
Bruce goes on a rampage taking out criminals all over Gotham while looking for his friend Waylon. Alfred returns and he and all of Bruce’s friends find out Waylon is at Ark-M with help from Jim Gordon’s daughter.
Bruce breaks into Ark-M to rescue his friend but things do not go as planned, as he encounters Bane. This is so fucking good, let’s get some more of this batshit crazy story.
Bruce breaks into Ark-M to rescue his friend but things do not go as planned, as he encounters Bane. This is so fucking good, let’s get some more of this batshit crazy story.
September 29, 2025
3.5
ABOMINATION Pt.1.
Batman infiltrates the mysterious Ark M- where Waylon has been taken to and encounters - Bane.
Interesting premise which probably is going to take a while to lay out..
ABOMINATION Pt.1.
Batman infiltrates the mysterious Ark M- where Waylon has been taken to and encounters - Bane.
Interesting premise which probably is going to take a while to lay out..
July 7, 2025
3.5 stars
This was so much fun.
This was so much fun.
June 16, 2025
Dick grayson mentioned! Also what the FUCK. In my opinion this is the best issue so far. I didn’t know this version of Bruce was capable of looking so pathetic AND the fact that Bane wasn’t even juiced yet doing all that?!? damn.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 17, 2026
FOKIIIIIIIN SHIIIIIIIIIT
¡JOYAAAAA! Bane está torcidísimo, mamadísmo y loquísimo. ¡ME ENCANTA! Perdóname Bruce pero no quepo de la emoción de pensar en cómo Bane te va a hacer sufrir. Amo amo amo amo el diseño del personaje, cómo se transforma en una bestia (¿podemos recordar cómo le reventó el cráneo al político este? Guau). Ahora mi pregunta es ¿Qué se trae Alfred en las manos y por qué lo dejó enfrentarse solo? Más que nada sabiendo que Bruce no estaba siendo del todo racional al involucrarse en esta misión sólo para recuperar a Waylon de Ark M.
Cositas a destacar: Una vez más el grupo de amigos siendo TODO el apoyo que tiene Bruce en estos momentos (me encanta, voy a terminar rotísima, lo sé). ¿Bruce y Selina? MIS PADRES, QUIERES DECIR. Por último ¿Qué es lo que sigue para Martha Wayne?
¡JOYAAAAA! Bane está torcidísimo, mamadísmo y loquísimo. ¡ME ENCANTA! Perdóname Bruce pero no quepo de la emoción de pensar en cómo Bane te va a hacer sufrir. Amo amo amo amo el diseño del personaje, cómo se transforma en una bestia (¿podemos recordar cómo le reventó el cráneo al político este? Guau). Ahora mi pregunta es ¿Qué se trae Alfred en las manos y por qué lo dejó enfrentarse solo? Más que nada sabiendo que Bruce no estaba siendo del todo racional al involucrarse en esta misión sólo para recuperar a Waylon de Ark M.
Cositas a destacar: Una vez más el grupo de amigos siendo TODO el apoyo que tiene Bruce en estos momentos (me encanta, voy a terminar rotísima, lo sé). ¿Bruce y Selina? MIS PADRES, QUIERES DECIR. Por último ¿Qué es lo que sigue para Martha Wayne?
June 15, 2025
Absolute Batman #9 kicks off a gripping new arc that dives deeper into the twisted purpose behind Ark M and the wider network of Arks across the world. There’s a heavy, unsettling atmosphere throughout as Bruce begins planning his next move with the team, trying to uncover the truth.
This issue also introduces Bane into the storyline and his presence is instantly chilling. The tease of a shared past with Alfred adds an unexpected emotional layer that could lead to something really interesting.
It’s gritty, tense, and clearly laying the groundwork for something big. The writing is tight, the pacing strong, and the mood? Classic Gotham dread. Great setup for what feels like a major arc. Love this! Hope it continues!
This issue also introduces Bane into the storyline and his presence is instantly chilling. The tease of a shared past with Alfred adds an unexpected emotional layer that could lead to something really interesting.
It’s gritty, tense, and clearly laying the groundwork for something big. The writing is tight, the pacing strong, and the mood? Classic Gotham dread. Great setup for what feels like a major arc. Love this! Hope it continues!
June 11, 2025
found this pretty confusing. bane comes outta nowhere and i thought we were still dealing with mr freeze, but i also dont remember the previous issue very well. out of all the Absolutes, this one is still the weakest to me. this Batman isn't really all that different from any other Batman. he somehow has unlimited funds and all the gadgets, but hes not a billionaire. idk.
May 9, 2026
Absolute Batman #9 feels like the point where the series fully embraces the idea that Batman’s greatest impact is not physical violence or vigilantism, but the way his existence reshapes the psychology of Gotham itself. Earlier issues explored emergence, stabilization, and entrenchment, but issue 9 is about saturation. Batman is now embedded so deeply into the city’s systems, fears, and expectations that Gotham no longer functions independently of him.
What immediately stands out in this issue is how little the comic needs to “explain” Batman anymore. The earlier chapters spent considerable time grounding Bruce Wayne emotionally and structurally, carefully showing the transition from trauma to identity. By issue 9, the story assumes that transformation is complete. Bruce operates with an almost frightening level of certainty. His methods no longer feel experimental or reactive—they feel inevitable. There is a chilling efficiency to him now, as though Batman has evolved beyond personal emotion into a permanent mechanism designed to answer Gotham’s instability.
That evolution gives the issue a darker emotional tone. Bruce Wayne increasingly feels like a residual identity rather than the central self. The comic subtly suggests that Batman has become the dominant reality while Bruce survives only in fragments beneath it. The tragedy is not framed dramatically or melodramatically; instead, it emerges through absence. Moments that once carried visible human hesitation or emotional conflict are now stripped down into cold functionality. Batman works, but the man operating him appears progressively consumed by the system he created.
Issue 9 is also one of the clearest demonstrations of Gotham transforming around Batman rather than merely reacting to him. The city feels fundamentally reorganized. Criminal behavior adapts strategically. Institutions alter their methods and priorities. Citizens internalize the idea of Batman as an unavoidable condition of urban life. The comic repeatedly emphasizes anticipation over reaction—people make decisions based on the assumption that Batman is already part of the equation. That shift is incredibly important because it means the myth has become infrastructural.
Another major strength of the issue is the way it portrays escalation as irreversible. Earlier entries left room for the idea that Gotham might eventually stabilize or return to some previous state. Issue 9 makes it feel clear that there is no going backward anymore. Batman’s existence has permanently accelerated Gotham into a new psychological era. Fear has become systemic, not episodic. Power structures are adapting into harder and more extreme forms because everyone understands they are operating inside a city fundamentally altered by Batman’s presence.
The pacing reinforces this feeling of inevitability. The narrative moves with less reflection and more momentum than the earlier issues. Scenes connect like components of a machine already running at full speed. There is very little sense that events are isolated anymore; every interaction feels like part of a larger ecosystem shaped by Batman’s existence. Even quieter moments carry pressure because the comic now frames Gotham as a place under constant psychological tension.
One of the most compelling themes in issue 9 is the idea that Batman may have become larger than Bruce Wayne’s original intentions. The symbol has evolved into something self-sustaining. Gotham’s fear, criminal adaptation, and institutional responses all continuously reinforce Batman’s necessity, creating a cycle where the city increasingly depends on the very force destabilizing it. The comic handles this ambiguity extremely well because it never fully presents Batman as either solution or problem. Instead, he becomes a transformative force whose consequences are impossible to fully control.
Visually and structurally, the issue feels more mature and more confident than almost any earlier installment in the run. The story no longer needs to build mythology because the mythology is already functioning. That allows the comic to focus entirely on consequence, permanence, and the emotional erosion underneath Batman’s effectiveness.
Overall, issue 9 feels like the culmination of the series’ long exploration of transformation. Batman is no longer becoming an idea, symbol, or myth. He has become Gotham’s operating reality. The city now breathes around his existence, and the comic’s central tension shifts from “Can Batman emerge?” to “What happens to Gotham—and Bruce Wayne—once Batman can no longer be separated from either of them?”
What immediately stands out in this issue is how little the comic needs to “explain” Batman anymore. The earlier chapters spent considerable time grounding Bruce Wayne emotionally and structurally, carefully showing the transition from trauma to identity. By issue 9, the story assumes that transformation is complete. Bruce operates with an almost frightening level of certainty. His methods no longer feel experimental or reactive—they feel inevitable. There is a chilling efficiency to him now, as though Batman has evolved beyond personal emotion into a permanent mechanism designed to answer Gotham’s instability.
That evolution gives the issue a darker emotional tone. Bruce Wayne increasingly feels like a residual identity rather than the central self. The comic subtly suggests that Batman has become the dominant reality while Bruce survives only in fragments beneath it. The tragedy is not framed dramatically or melodramatically; instead, it emerges through absence. Moments that once carried visible human hesitation or emotional conflict are now stripped down into cold functionality. Batman works, but the man operating him appears progressively consumed by the system he created.
Issue 9 is also one of the clearest demonstrations of Gotham transforming around Batman rather than merely reacting to him. The city feels fundamentally reorganized. Criminal behavior adapts strategically. Institutions alter their methods and priorities. Citizens internalize the idea of Batman as an unavoidable condition of urban life. The comic repeatedly emphasizes anticipation over reaction—people make decisions based on the assumption that Batman is already part of the equation. That shift is incredibly important because it means the myth has become infrastructural.
Another major strength of the issue is the way it portrays escalation as irreversible. Earlier entries left room for the idea that Gotham might eventually stabilize or return to some previous state. Issue 9 makes it feel clear that there is no going backward anymore. Batman’s existence has permanently accelerated Gotham into a new psychological era. Fear has become systemic, not episodic. Power structures are adapting into harder and more extreme forms because everyone understands they are operating inside a city fundamentally altered by Batman’s presence.
The pacing reinforces this feeling of inevitability. The narrative moves with less reflection and more momentum than the earlier issues. Scenes connect like components of a machine already running at full speed. There is very little sense that events are isolated anymore; every interaction feels like part of a larger ecosystem shaped by Batman’s existence. Even quieter moments carry pressure because the comic now frames Gotham as a place under constant psychological tension.
One of the most compelling themes in issue 9 is the idea that Batman may have become larger than Bruce Wayne’s original intentions. The symbol has evolved into something self-sustaining. Gotham’s fear, criminal adaptation, and institutional responses all continuously reinforce Batman’s necessity, creating a cycle where the city increasingly depends on the very force destabilizing it. The comic handles this ambiguity extremely well because it never fully presents Batman as either solution or problem. Instead, he becomes a transformative force whose consequences are impossible to fully control.
Visually and structurally, the issue feels more mature and more confident than almost any earlier installment in the run. The story no longer needs to build mythology because the mythology is already functioning. That allows the comic to focus entirely on consequence, permanence, and the emotional erosion underneath Batman’s effectiveness.
Overall, issue 9 feels like the culmination of the series’ long exploration of transformation. Batman is no longer becoming an idea, symbol, or myth. He has become Gotham’s operating reality. The city now breathes around his existence, and the comic’s central tension shifts from “Can Batman emerge?” to “What happens to Gotham—and Bruce Wayne—once Batman can no longer be separated from either of them?”
June 16, 2025
Graham Nolan is getting in the same camp as Rob Liefeld. He only likes alternate interpretations so long as they’re carbon copies of his creation with little to no wiggle room. This abomination is pretty effing cool and so glad this run of Batman is going strong, even if it’s not on venom yet.
June 11, 2025
A cameo of Dick Grayson???? I can’t tell yet if they’re going to do anything with his character or if he’s just an easter egg.
Also, Bane’s fight with Batman was terrifying. The way he treated Batman like nothing more than amusing entertainment demonstrates the divide between their physical capabilities.
Also, Bane’s fight with Batman was terrifying. The way he treated Batman like nothing more than amusing entertainment demonstrates the divide between their physical capabilities.
Read
July 30, 2025I finallly got to the comic that started me on this batman journey. Wow, what a MOSTER bane is.
I have never really seen batman with fear before. It makes me feel bad for him. The stoic king has been broken.
I have never really seen batman with fear before. It makes me feel bad for him. The stoic king has been broken.
June 14, 2025
Diabolical Bane design.
Curious where this Ark M plot line is going, nice to see a AAA title deal with themes about institutional abuse of power and stuff.
Curious where this Ark M plot line is going, nice to see a AAA title deal with themes about institutional abuse of power and stuff.
December 10, 2025
The tone and overall universe that Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta are building feels so fresh, unique, and exciting that I genuinely find myself filled with adrenaline at certain points throughout this run. And this issue? The introduction of Bane was definitely one of those moments.
Alfred being one step ahead of Bruce in gathering intel on ArkM is such a smart and satisfying choice, especially since Bruce infiltrates the so-called “prison” only to come face-to-face with Bane for the very first time.
Alfred recalling the first time Bruce ever sounded afraid, when he first encountered Bane, was a total gut-punch of a panel. Bane’s confidence, ambition, and inhuman strength are both wildly entertaining and deeply unsettling. He is completely in control, clearly holding the upper hand over Bruce, and he uses that advantage mercilessly.
I finished this issue genuinely asking myself if Bruce is really ready for all of this. Bane is truly an opponent who feels, in many ways, larger than life.
Alfred being one step ahead of Bruce in gathering intel on ArkM is such a smart and satisfying choice, especially since Bruce infiltrates the so-called “prison” only to come face-to-face with Bane for the very first time.
Alfred recalling the first time Bruce ever sounded afraid, when he first encountered Bane, was a total gut-punch of a panel. Bane’s confidence, ambition, and inhuman strength are both wildly entertaining and deeply unsettling. He is completely in control, clearly holding the upper hand over Bruce, and he uses that advantage mercilessly.
I finished this issue genuinely asking myself if Bruce is really ready for all of this. Bane is truly an opponent who feels, in many ways, larger than life.
August 27, 2025
[4.5/5⭐️] The Absolute Batman series has been amazing and continues to get better with every new issue. Issue #9 spends plenty of time showcasing this universes interpretation of Bane and holy shit he is goated. Bane has always been one of my favourite villains of all time and this interpretation is sooooo good, his design, attitude, dialogue, and relationship with Bruce are so great and although he’s just started to appear this is easily one of my favourite takes on the infamous roided-up masked wrestler. Can’t wait to see the dynamic between Bane and Batman continue in the following issues.
August 12, 2025
Just got done reading Absolute Batman #9 and holy fuck was it good. The build up to Batman finally meeting Bane was awesome, you could actually feel the fear in Batman. And Bane’s design? So badass and also terrifying. It’s got me wondering… what does Alfred know that we don’t yet? Like, is he connected to Bane somehow? I know I’m behind an issue, but honestly, I’m glad it took me this long to get to this one. Now I’m really looking forward to reading #10 once I have it.
July 12, 2025
This issue is wild—pure chaos and high stakes. Batman dives into Gotham’s underworld to save Waylon, only to face Absolute Bane—a terrifying, super-intelligent beast of a villain who completely overpowers him.
Damn..The final showdown hits hard, and now I need the next issue.
Damn..The final showdown hits hard, and now I need the next issue.
November 29, 2025
Batman taking down ode criminals from the mob and sending them to the hospitals to the point where the hospitals are out of ambulances 😭😭😭😭
Absolute Bane is on one, bro is cracked to the max
Absolute Bane is on one, bro is cracked to the max
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 21, 2026
Holy fuck absolute bane is horrifying
March 2, 2026
Bane is HUGE. The venom does something to this version of him where he can literally smash a skull with his fist.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2026
4.5
Is Absolute Batman straight up dark horror?
Is Absolute Batman straight up dark horror?
September 26, 2025
BAN E BANE BANE BANE BANE!!!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 146 reviews