Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta have consistently served up great issues in the series and Absolute Batman #21 is another. Snyder has mastered when to add new characters and plot twists to keep the hype going for Absolute Batman. He has finally done what so many have been waiting for: Joker and Batman finally meet face-to-face. Not only that, but the issue sets up yet another Batman rogue!
Major spoilers ahead for Absolute Batman 21 and previous issues!
Division in the Robin ranks
The introduction of the Robins was covered by Key Comics Vault previously and their clash with Batman continued in this issue. These Robins in mech-suits are formidable opponents for Batman, with an array of weapons at their disposal. Jason Todd in a giant mech-suit levelled a tower block with a giant gun in an attempt to get Batman. Under Slade Wilson’s guidance, they are to root out and destroy Batman.
Jason Todd and most of the others appear to be fully behind this aim. They show no care for the damage they cause to the surrounding city. Or at least most of them do. Dick Grayson actually stops the pursuit of Batman, exiting his mech to check for survivors from the destruction they caused.
Dick’s willingness to disobey orders from Slade Wilson and follow his morals might put him at odds with the rest of the team. Slade Wilson is working for Jack Grim too. Neither of whom hold back when dealing with enemies. Will Dick be pushed into supporting Bruce somehow?
Batman’s friends at a turning point
One of the most intriguing, slow-burn plot points of the series is that of Bruce’s friends. Ozzie, Waylon, Eddie, and Harvey all suffered life-changing abuse at the hands of Bane. There have been hints and nods to these friends becoming something darker because of this, turning into the villains we know.
Absolute Batman #21 might be the turning point for all those characters. Similarly to the Robins though, there seems to be a division in the group. Ozzie and Harvey appear to have fallen furthest. Harvey considered killing someone he had previously put away but had been freed because of Dent’s connection to Batman. Ozzie went a step further and murdered several people for leaving his failing club.
The four friends met at the at the funeral of Jim Gordon. Gordon had been murdered by the Scarecrow, but the public were led to believe that Batman did it. Eddie asks the others what they thought. Harvey, looking striking in his 50-50 black/white suit, is split between whether he thinks Bruce did it or not. Waylon is adamant Bruce is innocent and they need to stick together as friends.
Ozzie tells the others they all have nicknames given to them now: Two-Face, Croc, the Penguin, and the Riddler. To him, they have become monsters. Will these friends stick together and support Bruce? Or has Bane unleashed a darkness in them?
Bruce meets Jack Grimm and it’s terrifying
Ever since the teaser of the Joker at the end of Absolute Batman #1, fans have been dying for Bruce and Jack Grimm to meet. They finally got their wish in Absolute Batman #21.
In his role as engineer, Bruce had been contemplating life while perilously standing on a girder at the top of a large building that was being constructed. He ignored requests to meet investors, but there was one figure he could not ignore.
“Hello Bruce…” – Jack Grimm
With two words, “Hello Bruce“, Jack Grimm immediately asserts power over Bruce. He knows Batman’s secret identity. The hulking man that is Bruce throws a punch at the spindly Jack, who just catches his fist. He is more than a match physically for Batman.
As hinted at by Scarecrow in the previous issue, Batman is instrinsically linked to Joker. Jack describes Batman as a “funny side project” they had devised. What Joker had not expected was the path that Bruce took and he loves it. Partially transforming into his demonic body, Joker scares Bruce into falling, but then catches him. Bruce only gets to die when he says so. And Joker wants their dance to go on forever.
Back at Ark-M, we are treated to a look at Batman’s next likely foe. A figure is shown being moulded by many bodyless hands. The figure is another Batman, who Joker will no doubt use to further destroy Batman’s reputation. The grey, malleable substance being shaped into Batman can only mean one thing: Clayface is on his way.
Buy Absolute Batman Volume 1 – Bookshop.org US
Buy Absolute Batman Volume 1 – Bookshop.org UK
Buy Absolute Batman #21 – Forbidden Planet UK
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