Absolute Batman (2024-) #11

Absolute Batman (2024) (Single Issues)

by Scott Snyder, Clay Mann (Artist)

Learn the origin of Bane! What drives the muscle-bound behemoth, and how did he arrive in Gotham?

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Batman, Comic Book, Crime, Superheroes, Graphic Novels

Kindle Edition

Published August 20, 2025

About the author

Scott 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.

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bane's origin revealed.
But the confusing switcheroo at the end makes for a head-scratching issue.
Depending on how it lands with you, you'll end up thinking it's either brilliant or that it's bullshit.
I'll say right now that my initial reaction was bullshit.



Bane is born & raised amidst political turmoil & war, his father the leader of the revolution. Imprisoned for years, his values undergo a life-altering change when the prisoners finally make their escape, only to be met by the (we assume) Joker on the shore of their island, offering a deal to him.
That's one part of the story.



The other part of the story is Alfred talking to Batman, who supposedly escaped with Waylon at the end of the last issue, giving him this voice-over advice about all the reasons he's not going to be able to beat Bane. All while Bane tears himto shreds and drags him into the surgery with the creepy doctor in charge of the lab.



So, you're kind of like...whoaaaaa. are they gonna turn Bruce into a real bat or something?, and then comes the twist.
After showing you a panel that looks like Batman is kitted out with the juice and hopped up on Venom...



The next page shows that the whole issue was just a what if and that Bane is actually after Bruce's friends Harvey, Oz, and Ed, with the intention of "breaking Bruce" by harming them.



It took me a second to disconnect from seeing Batman's face smashed to a pulp and realize the whole thing had been a fakeout.




I don't know. I guess that could be cool?
Going into this next issue with less enthusiasm, but still trying to trust the process.

[hater ★ · Rating 5 out of 5]

not me loving the issue with the weirdest cover… anyway, i’ve seen there are a lot of mixed reviews about this issue, but i loved bane’s storyline idk

[Nicolo · Rating 5 out of 5]

An intermission into "Abomination", with this issue 11 drawn by guest artist Clay Mann, who pushes his art style to match what the Scott Snyder story of Absolute Bane's origin and the overly muscled misshapen terrorist's first encounter with Absolute Batman from perspective, a fight that ended in total defeat of the Gotham vigilante.

[Machiavelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

This issue frames Bane as an ominous, venom-fueled force, but the story never quite landed for me. The big twist undercuts the tension, leaving the violence feeling hollow and the payoff diminished. The art certainly brings menace and atmosphere, yet the narrative choices weaken what could have been a standout entry. On top of that, I’m not a fan of the 16-panel grid — the dense layout felt more distracting than dynamic, burying the action under text. I know many readers loved this approach, and I’m glad it resonated for them, but it just wasn’t for me.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really bloody issue, some fucked up moments that surprised me, and a ending that sets up a big WAR coming to Gotham.

[Michael Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scott Snyder and artist Clay Mann peel back the secrecy surrounding Bane and, holy fuck, this guy is terrifying. Some of the general history behind this now-iconic character remains the same, like having spent years as a prisoner enduring grueling hardships on the island of Santa Prisca, but other aspects are revamped to fit the mold of this darker, at times horrifying, Absolute universe, like the involvement of one particular unsmiling billionaire who's been teased before.

The violence here is off the charts, with one sequence showcasing Bane's ruthlessness that is positively gut-churning and sure to linger in reader's minds for a while. Guest artist Mann's art style works really well and feels tonally consistent not only with this mid-arc origin story but with series regular Nick Dragotta's overarching work on the issues preceding it. We're not through with Bane just yet, though, and the issue ends on a doozie that has me itching to find out what comes next as Absolute Batman hits its one-year mark with #12 next month.

[MrGlassWontBreak · Rating 4 out of 5]

We get Bane’s origin story here. He was born into a rebellion on a warring island, has been killing for his father ever since he was a child, and got offered a deal to save his home by Absolute Joker, which he accepted by killing his own father.

Alfred is scared shitless by Bane because he knows him, who he works for, and what he’s capable of, and now Bane’s out to break Bruce’s mind after breaking and rebuilding his body.

[Sava (Fang Runin’s version)]

Just gonna review previous issues here.
This is actually a really unique take on batman and the designs of the villains are pretty unhinged.

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am horrified. Both for what could have been and for what will happen next. This could very well be the arc where Batman loses his friends entirely, and the canon villains are born.

[Nikhil Math]

Wow, so this book was confusing. Like I think this issue had by far the WORST writing in the series. I had no idea what was going on towards the end. I had to look up forums on what was going on and I found out a ton of people were just as confused.

But, let’s skip that. Can I become the absolute version of myself? What would that look like. What is my vision. What is the most extreme version of my vision? Super monk? I’d like to think it’s that, or do I just play this capitalistic game and win it? Can you even win capitalism? I think the greed that infects you into thinking you can win the rat race, makes you never able to win it.

If my greatest enemies saw me, how would I know I’m happy. Is it the money? Is it how I’m presenting myself? What can be going on in my life where I am so self assured I’m making the right decisions that I don’t care what anyone thinks about me? Is the solution to move out of state, start over, build myself back up to the man I want to be, or is that possible in the city I’m currently in?

All this is coming from this chapter from the series. So, maybe this is a good chapter.

Check it out. This book also makes me wanna get ripped.

[Stacy (Gotham City Librarian) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not going to lie, this issue stressed me out. But that’s due to an intriguing story. Snyder has always been good at writing the villains, and this Bane has fascinating motives. I’m legit worried about what’s going to happen next, but I trust that it will turn out alright in the end. And the art is so good, too!

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

ABOMINATION PT.4
August 2025

"...to become the hero Gotham needs"

Mixed with flashbacks of Bane's early fights and struggles...he clashes with Batman..

[Raymond Paquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Bane story. I was a little confused by the timeline, but the last page sold it for me.

[dusty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Bane’s backstory here. You find yourself empathizing with him at first, only to quickly understand exactly how and why he became the abomination he is now.

What’s especially interesting is how every one of these encounters with Bane becomes a lesson for Bruce. He’s forced to realize that being Batman isn’t just about brute force; it’s about strategy, foresight, and being mentally one step ahead of his enemy. That lack of preparation leaves him nearly destroyed and strapped into a surgery room with his worst enemies standing over him.

You can see the fear in Bruce now, and it’s both terrifying and thrilling to witness. Watching him adapt, evolve, and become something more—as Batman always does—is incredibly exciting.

Scott Snyder is doing something truly revolutionary with this run, and I’m so grateful I get to experience it as it unfolds. I genuinely don’t know how things could possibly get worse for Bruce… but somehow, I know they will.

[Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Weakest issue so far

[Ksenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not going to lie, I am kind of foaming at the mouth when it comes to this run, and, somehow, even after a brilliant start, it just keeps getting better and better. Some of the most brutal and downright inspired writing by the genius himself, amazingly interwoven with Clay Mann's stunning art. This issue in particular is as if Cormac McCarthy decided to write a Batman/Bane origin story treatment, with all its poetic violence. Yes, it is THAT good. So far, Absolute has been amazing monthly instalments and fantastic overall arcs. Abomination is going to be one of the sickest comics collections of all time, and we haven't even hit the Joker yet. Whew! What a blast!!!

[Carly · Rating 2 out of 5]

eh. it was okay. Bane isn't any different that im aware of. idk why but this title isn't doing anything for me. I'll keep reading for the crossover with Wonder Woman but i might drop it after that. who knows.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Craziest re-imagining of Bane, he is terrifying, his backstory was stuff of nightmares. This series is just getting more and more insane.

[Derrick McCall · Rating 5 out of 5]

"That's why he didn't go to YOUR door... but instead went to THEIRS. Because he knows the REAL way to BREAK you... is by breaking THEM."

Man... I really love that by being friends with Bruce, that's how he gets his Rogues Gallery. His friends are broken, ruined and corrupted just by knowing him... What a wonderful way to flip this character lore once more.

[Craig Schorling · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was insane! I love how wild this series is and the direction it is taking. The final pages have me so pumped for what's next. The fight was brutal and intenese. This issue will stick with me for a while.

[Colin Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clay Mann does a pretty good Dragotta impression! I like how Bane is set up as a foil to Batman - a force railing against an unjust world. Snyder’s writing is on point this issue as he weaves almost a fairytale rendition of Bane’s origin albeit a very, very dark fairytale.

[katie. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved Bane’s origin story in this one, it was such an interesting take on his past that I don’t think has ever been done before. It’s really interesting that they’re trying to make an army of Banes and Bruce is the perfect candidate. Again is just insane. Man got his arm chopped off and he’s still fighting. So excited to see Absolute Riddler, Two Face and Penguin.

[Frodo · Rating 5 out of 5]

que putísimo carallo

[Tojuan Gordon · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolute bane is absolute batmans dark mirror

[Jadyn❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I continue to be scared of this book!! Not sure I love the direction it’s taking Bruce. Always intrigued enough to need to know what’s next, though.

[Cristhian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brutal.

Una de las mejores iteraciones de Bane en todos los tiempos.

[Marcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooof! A really brutal issue, didn’t expect things to go like that. The ending has me really intrigued where they go next.

[DonHeimscheißer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This issue was fucking peak. Bane’s backstory was amazing, this whole issue was crazy and the ending was insane. I’m looking forward to the next issue !! 🐦‍🔥

[Corban Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bane is the scariest guy I have ever seen

[Tere · Rating 5 out of 5]

quéeeee