The time has come for Batman to face Bane in a final battle that requires an extra-sized Absolute Batman #14. The matchup is paired with flashbacks to a boxing match where Waylon Jones was supposed to lose. From the very start, this version of Batman has been a hero rich with friends, and although they might fight alone sometimes, they’ve always got each other’s backs. It shows that Batman is ready to win at all costs, even if it means getting a little help from some friends.
Absolute Batman #14 is about as epic as a one-on-one fight can get. It closes out the second story arc, proving the Absolute Universe is more than happy to push beyond what you can comprehend these characters are capable of, especially the villains. To say Bane is transformed here is an understatement, and as if the transformation isn’t enough, writer Scott Snyder and artist Nick Dragotta leave the character in a place where even more transformation is to come.
Before that, however, this issue sets up the match like any great boxing match in history. The world is watching, thanks to Harley Quinn, even when the corrupt police try to stop it. Bane cares little about the world seeing what he’s capable of, but the implication that Batman will be far more present in the public consciousness adds to the stakes. There’s the previous issue showing us what will happen to Batman, which certainly adds to that, but the filming allows this issue to feel important to the larger universe story.
The layout is intense.
Credit: DC Comics
Once the battle gets underway, the creative team drops one insane visual after another, with Dragotta’s rich and dense layout work delivering great pacing and fine detail. A panel simply showing a close-up of streaks of blood helps add to the battle, so it’s not just bulging with axes, but a kind of visual poetry. The fight contains multiple surprises and twists, all of which hit like a hammer on an anvil. This is a brutal battle, and you feel it.
Amping up the fight is Bane’s ability to endure, regrow, and get larger. At times, it’s gruesome, with eyes and mouths popping up on his body, while at others, it seems almost comical how large he gets. The gruesome stuff is great, with a layer of gore content that horror fans will enjoy. And while the characters at least reflect on how insane it is, and even though this is a comic, I found the size change a bit silly. Surely the venom can’t add matter to his body, right?
Outside of the big fight, the flashbacks add heart and emotion to Bruce’s story. While there is tons of drama in these scenes, they do have a few quieter dramatic beats that bring the intensity down for the better. Snyder also does an excellent job with captions, drawing out Batman’s ability to enact violence as a superpower in itself. It’s an interesting way to distinguish this Batman from the main continuity.
Absolute Batman #14 closes its second arc with a fierce, relentless showdown that cements the series as a bold reimagining of Gotham’s mythology. It’s visually daring, emotionally resonant, and unafraid to push its villains into terrifying new territory. Even with a few over-the-top choices, you’ll want to suspend your disbelief. This issue hits like a heavyweight main event and proves the Absolute Universe has constant memorable surprises.
You must be logged in to post a comment.