Batman is hitting two milestones this week: Its 150th issue and its first Absolute Power tie-in. Leading the charge is writer Chip Zdarsky, who is involved in an issue that feels self-contained but is also part of the larger event. Backed up by two artists on the main story with a backup, this issue has a lot to offer for casual readers and fans looking for more from Absolute Power.
The main story focuses on a criminal named Teddy, who tends to work for big-time villains. He’s come across some information regarding Batman’s secret identity, and he wants to cash out of the crime business and get rich quickly. The story takes Teddy to multiple supervillains, and Batman tracks him, but he does not so subtly scare him from a distance.
As Teddy attempts to find a buyer, we learn he’s a father, has been distant from his family, and has something to live for. It all builds towards a final few pages that show Batman doesn’t just beat up criminals but does the extra work to connect and save families.
Denys Cowan draws the majority of the issue and most of the pages with Teddy in them, with Jorge Jimenez popping in for a page or two here and there. The switching of art works well, as Cowan is a master at drawing you into the character drama, and Jimenez wows with the splashy art. It’s an interesting back-and-forth that works.
Batman is so scary here!
Credit: DC Comics
In one scene, Cowan draws Teddy to a meeting with Two-Face. Then, in an excellent page by Jimenez, we see a montage of Two-Face fighting Batman and Batman turning into a bat-like demon. It’s a logical switch, as Two-Face uses a bit of imagination to make his point.
Mike Hawthorne returns to Batman for the backup, which is the main Absolute Power tie-in. Zdarsky writes a strong story here, tethering Batman’s guilt over creating Failsafe, which is now in the hands of Amanda Waller. The story opens with Batman telling us via captions how he didn’t just want to stop his parent’s killer but the gun manufacturer who made the gun he used. The metaphor is that Failsafe is a gun he created, and now it’s hurting heroes and civilians alike.
The ten-page scene does more than enough to call this issue a tie-in with Batman facing off against the Wonder Woman Amazo. Not only does this story relay key information for another chapter, but it also heavily integrates Cyborg. There’s also a cool moment with Flash, a check-in with Superman and Mr. Terrific, and a general sense that things are going to turn with a key Batman ally. I call that a win.
Hawthorne draws a great backup with clean, detailed fight scenes and plenty of cool effects, such as Flash moving so fast he’s on a streak. Batman’s cowl also looks good, with nice definition and detail.
Batman #150 celebrates Batman’s ability to save the day in a unique way, playing the long game and paying attention. Plus, the backup feels like a healthy tie-in without taking over the whole issue.
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