A big part of what makes the Absolute Universe work is the reveal of familiar characters, twisted by the darkness. Enter the Robins, who are all cheery and bright-eyed kids in souped-up tech to take out Batman, but is there a darker core to these misfit kids? The Robins team is emblazoned on the cover of Absolute Batman #20, but you’ll need to hold off on expectations a bit longer, as the focus is strongly on Bruce’s friends and Scarecrow.
Which isn’t a bad thing, because Absolute Batman #20 is filled with story progress, character development, and insights. The issue jumps around quite a bit, but its central focus is Bruce’s state after the loss of Jim Gordon. Alfred and Harley are worried about him as he’s locked himself away, and after the long isolation, he decides to go visit Joe Chill.
Hanging off that central focus are a lot of subplots – even the opening pages are not focused on Batman at all. Seen in the preview, we learn the Batcave is alive and well, complete with a giant penny, but sitting behind all those monitors isn’t Batman, but Joker! Not only that, Joker is freakish, with his mouth way too agape and his red babies hooked up to him, presumably to keep him young. It’s a great opening as it reminds us that this universe is inverted, while Joker is far scarier than we can possibly imagine.
Good lord he’s scary.
Credit: DC Comics
From there, the issue jumps to Bruce, tormented by the loss of Jim Gordon, whose death is being used to defame Batman to the Gotham residents. The short transitional scene shows Harley being integrated into the team, complete with a hammer, as in the main universe, and serves as a reminder that Batman’s father died on purpose, possibly influencing the creation of Batman.
The meatiest scene in this issue involves Batman breaking into Black Gate to get answers. The scene is intense, starting with a cool, clean, efficient prison break-in by artist Nick Dragotta. The use of Scarecrow is clever, as if he’s some kind of ghost or phantom meant to torment Batman, and he can’t be harmed.
Then there are Bruce’s friends, who are all touched on in this issue. Once again, Scott Snyder is seeding this motley crew for future villainy, and each issue we see them, they’ve evolved just a bit more. This issue, seeing Riddler in his tech studio and question-mark costume is great fun, but the check-ins on Penguin and Two-Face are exciting too. It’s also nice to have a reconnection between the friendships of these characters, however twisted they’ve become since Bane broke them.
Closing out the issue is a three-page setup for a Robin showdown. Sure, the cover is misleading, as the showdown seems to be the main event, but the reveal of the Robins continues to showcase Dragotta’s masterful storytelling. From the extra panels in the layout to how some of these Robins go from a motorcycle to a super suit, it’s quite cool. No shade to Snyder, but this series lives and breathes under Dragotta’s incredible art, drawing you into each character, horror show moment, and action-packed energy. Dragotta can do it all, and it shows.
Absolute Batman #20 leans heavily into setup, but it does so with purpose and confidence. Scott Snyder continues to layer in character arcs and long-term threads, especially around Bruce’s mental state and his fractured circle of allies. The issue may not deliver on the Robin-heavy promise of its cover just yet, but it deepens the world in meaningful ways and sharpens the stakes heading into what comes next. Nick Dragotta’s art remains the standout, elevating every moment with style, horror, and clarity. It is a strong chapter that prioritizes momentum and mood over immediate payoff.
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