Epic Absolute Batman Art Shows Why It's 2026's Best Selling Comic
The most consistently popular Absolute Universe series recently showcased its greatest moments to signal even bigger showstoppers ahead.
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An experienced Editor representing Canada via ScreenRant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com.
His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023.
Nearly two years ago, the DC's Absolute Universe roared to life following the DC All In Special, launching an idiosyncratic, hyper-stylized, and radical alternate take on the publisher's mightiest and most iconic heroes. Unsurprisingly, much like in many other cases, this led to the rise of Absolute Batman often standing handily at the top of each month's comic book rankings.
But even in his most addictive, often immensely violent and absurdly satisfying climactic fights, Absolute Batman has been building toward something big for quite a while, since the moment a twisted mirror image of a more classic Bruce Wayne emerged with Jack Grimm. The Absolute Joker has become the central mastermind he was always destined to be, yet despite a far more orderly veneer, hiding behind the dynastic name of his wealthy and powerful family, operating from the shadows, funding dangerous experiments, and staging Batman's biggest fights. But as all of the biggest villains and allies begin to assemble as teased by , Dragotta's new art makes an event out of its October 28, 2026 release date.
Batman's Intense New Foundation Is Laid Out In Stunning Upcoming Release
Much like for Absolute Superman and Absolute Wonder Woman #25, the incredible new Batman series is reaching the capstone moment for its first narrative phase, with Dragotta's triptych variant covers laying out the friends (and enemies) Bruce made along the way. The covers complete the trifold image teased by the main cover, in which Batman is seen with figures from the past like his childhood friends growing up in the Crime Alley neighborhood and the late Thomas Wayne. It naturally also features key developments, like the revelation about his mother,
The other two variant covers lay out the rest of the supporting cast of Absolute Batman, including his childhood friends following their horrific mutilations at the hands of Bane. They show the maniacal Scarecrow whose plot is only beginning to unfold, and Akira climax vibes and having a stunning, visceral conclusion. But as Grimm most recently said upon meeting Wayne, life is far too interesting now to cut Batman out. Simply put, more horrors are undoubtedly due to unfold with Gotham's rogues' gallery introduced and assembled in these variant covers.
Scott Snyder Reveals Big Plans For Absolute Batman #25 & Beyond
As revealed in Snyder's Substack , the future for Absolute Batman is a thrilling one expanding the characters significantly, and features what he hypes to be at least two of the biggest moments so far in the series, with Dragotta on point for its 30-page visual extravaganza. He specifically notes one particular moment "will be a big talking point for all you guys. " Additionally, an artist yet to be revealed will illustrate issue #26, laying out Barbara Gordon's "Year One" story. Given Batman is facing the fallout of crimes pinned on him like Jim Gordon and now Tim Drake's death, the next issues are going to be crucial, with #27 starting Absolute Batman's new era.
[...]#27 will bring Nick back to the book and start our next really, really crucial arc. So you’ll see, there’s a lot of good stuff. The Ark M special, Beyond Ark M, has a huge reveal in it at the end. So don’t miss out on that. That’s going to be really big in November, order high on that one.
With the mysterious "Ark" black site prisons being set up worldwide, with Ark-M naturally being the most tantalizing mystery yet, poised to be the Absolute Universe's Arkham Asylum, Absolute Batman is in for some major worldbuilding exercises ahead. The finale of the Straw Man arc is coming, and Batman is getting ready for a proper head-on confrontation with the Absolute Joker, equipped with all the resources of a Prime Earth Bruce Wayne, while his persona conceals the horrific demon underneath. It's an especially perfect climax as it comes mere days away from Halloween, and a perfect way to commemorate the season and spirit of Batman.
Absolute Batman reimagines the Dark Knight as a working-class hero battling overwhelming adversaries in a world dominated by wealth, influence, and corruption. Through impossible odds and fearsome enemies, Batman strives to prove that unwavering integrity and the actions of one determined person can inspire change and challenge even the most powerful forces.
Created by
Bob Kane, Bill Finger
First Film
Batman
Latest Film
The Batman
Upcoming Films
The Batman Part II
First TV Show
Batman (1966)
Latest TV Show
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
Screenrant Verified Source
Reported by J.R. Waugh · Syndicated via official news feed
