[#item_full_content] [[{“value”:”DC Comics has announced on social media that an Absolute Batman animated series is in the works from DC Studios. No release date or cast has been announced.
Launched in 2024 as part of DC’s All-In initiative, DC’s Absolute Universe is a parallel reality that exists next to the primary DC universe (Earth-0) that thrives on Darkseid energy. As such, this is a world that’s darker, meaner, and doesn’t facilitate happy endings. But far from being an alternate reality that reinterprets familiar narratives with a darker lens, it wholesale subverts what fans know and love about their favourite DC characters whilst still staying true to their core.
Absolute Batman from Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta was the first comic of the Absolute line to be released. The series reimagined the Dark Knight as a working-class citizen who lost his father in a public shooting but lives in Crime Alley with his mother. Without the wealth and resources of his mainstream counterpart to fund his vigilante activities, the Absolute Universe version of Bruce Wayne has to use his high intellect to make the city itself work for him. As a construction worker, Bruce not only gets access to many parts of the city but also to the resources that he needs to build his Batsuit, gadgets, Batmobile, and even a Battank.
In addition to subverting the concept of Batman, the Absolute Universe also subverts the Caped Crusader’s iconic villains. The Joker is now a corrupt billionaire named Jack Grimm who presents himself as a philanthropist to the public but is secretly a monster creating other monsters in an underground facility known as Ark M. Bane has been reimagined as the Joker’s chief enforcer of Project Ark M, and Poison Ivy is one of the victims of this facility.
Harley Quinn has been reimagined as a member of the Red Hood gang, and the Robins (minus Damian Wayne) have been reimagined as child soldiers the Joker sponsors. Two-Face, the Riddler, the Penguin, Killer Croc, and Catwoman have also been reimagined as Batman’s childhood friends who are now his damaged allies. The character who is the least changed in the Absolute Universe is Catwoman, but is now driven by a need for stability rather than a need for the thrill of committing a crime.
Whilst no plot details have been announced at this time, the upcoming animated series currently has three story arcs to build its story from.
Absolute Batman can be purchased as single issues and trades at local comic shops, bookshops, and digitally. Readers can also catch up on the full series with a DC Universe Infinite subscription.
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