DC Unveils Absolute Batman's First Costume, And It's Absolutely Terrifying
Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Batman #4
Absolute Batman's bulky design received intense backlash from fans upon his initial reveal due to how different it was from the classic look. As it turns out, that costume is Bruce Wayne's second attempt at a bat-suit, and the first is even more shocking. Rather than making every aspect of his appearance larger-than-life, Batman's original attempt at his costume ended up being much more terrifying.
The preview for Absolute Batman #4 by Scott Snyder, Gabriel Hernández Walta, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles depicts Bruce Wayne's earliest days as the Dark Knight. Gotham criminals are seen pushing a woman off a rooftop, only for her to be rescued, and they're suddenly ambushed by a menacing figure who had been looming over them.
This figure turns out to be none other than Batman, but his costume is unlike any he's ever worn in DC lore. Rather than relying on his overwhelming size, this Batman scares foes by behaving like a fearsome bat, making it Bruce Wayne's most terrifying suit yet.
Absolute Batman's Original Costume Is Already His Scariest in DC History
Batman Goes All-In On the Bat Aesthetic With His Vampiric Redesign
Bruce Wayne takes a page out of Dracula's book with this unnerving Batman redesign, leaning into horrific visuals to stun enemies into submission. As he leaps into action, he lets out a shriek that resembles a bat's cry, and that isn't where the bat comparisons end. His cowl sets the tone for this dark rendition of Batman with gleaming red eyes, and he uses pointed fangs to bite into an opponent's neck. Moreover, he attacks with claws that resemble Wolverine's, hissing while he fights. This is Batman at his most bat-like, and there's a reason for this to be Bruce's suit of choice in this new continuity.
Batman's fear of bats influences his origin in the main DC Universe, but the Absolute Universe takes that fear to the next level with its take on Bruce Wayne's past. In Absolute Batman #2, young Bruce is locked in the bat sanctuary during Thomas Wayne's death, and the bats swarm him as his father loses his life. The direct correlation of bats to his deepest trauma gives Bruce's fixation on the creatures a believable explanation. This Batman associates bats with his father's final moments, so it makes sense that he would choose to embody a bat and strike the same primal terror he experienced as a child.
Batman's Absolute Universe Origin Story Will Finally Be Explored In Its Entirety
The Story of How Bruce Wayne Became the Dark Knight Gets Unveiled at Last
The debut of Bruce Wayne's first costume kicks off this issue, which will chronicle Absolute Batman's full backstory. Readers have already seen his father's demise, which serves as the catalyst for his son's vigilantism - just like in DC's prime continuity - but the actual establishing of the Batman mantle has yet to be portrayed. Now, Batman's early days are being presented to answer fans' long-held questions about how this revamped Dark Knight came to be. At long last, Batman is ready to unveil why he chose to leave his initial costume behind and instead become the hulking force he is now.
Absolute Batman #4 is available January 8th, 2025 from DC Comics.
- Alias
- Bruce Wayne
- FIRST APP
- Detective Comics #27 (1939)
- Created By
- Bob Kane, Bill Finger
- Franchise
- D.C.
- Race
- Human
- First Appearance
- Detective Comics
One of DC's most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world's leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
