Absolute Batman #10 is here, continuing the “Abomination” arc, and let’s just say, it’s a wild ride! If you thought Bruce Wayne’s life was tough before, you haven’t seen anything yet.
We pick up right where the last issue left off, with Bruce Wayne trapped in Ark M. His hunt for his best friend, Waylon Jones, led him right into a brutal battle with Bane, and now Bruce is held captive, stripped down to nothing. Seriously, he’s naked and has been in this horrific place for over a month! His loved ones on the outside, particularly Martha, are starting to panic as time stretches on, and Scott Snyder masterfully uses this passage of time, shown through both outside events and the facility’s logs, to amp up the tension.
Snyder and artist Nick Dragotta lean into the body horror here. Ark M isn’t just a grim asylum; it’s a nightmarish, grotesque facility filled with all sorts of monstrous experiments. Imagine “Akira”-level deformities. What’s happening to Bruce isn’t quick, either. Snyder stretches his captivity over several months within a single issue, making Bruce a truly missing person. This has huge implications for his life as Batman when he eventually gets out.
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This issue is a Bruce Wayne story through and through. We spend most of our time with him out of his cowl, his vulnerability highlighted by being literally stripped bare. This isn’t for shock value; it’s to emphasize how Bane and Dr. Ark M are trying to break Bruce, not just Batman. Despite the physical deterioration and the horrifying conditions, Bruce’s mental fortitude remains unbroken, a testament to the core strength of the character.
Adding another layer of dread is the chilling narration from Dr. Ark M herself. Snyder uses her voice to be as powerful a presence as Bane’s physical might, revealing her cold, scientific approach to treating Bruce and her other “test subjects” as mere animals. This narrative device intensifies the concern for Bruce’s plight, making every failed escape attempt and every passing day feel increasingly dire.
The “Abomination” title takes on a whole new meaning when Bruce finally finds Waylon Jones. You might expect a Killer Croc, given the context, but Snyder and Dragotta unleash something far more grotesque. Absolute Killer Croc is a truly monstrous, Kaiju-sized creature with a terrifying mouth full of teeth. Yet, in a heartbreaking and powerful moment, Bruce connects with Waylon not as a monster, but as his best friend. This bond, developed through flashbacks to Bruce’s inner circle, enables them to team up and attempt their escape.
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Snyder is clearly leaning into the chaotic nature of the Absolute Universe, throwing out all the old rules. This unpredictability makes for a thrilling read, leaving you eager for the next shocking development. Dragotta’s artwork is also outstanding, creating a fantastic visual world with plenty of hidden details.
The escape sets up some intriguing developments. Besides the immediate threat of Bane hunting them, there’s the major subplot of Bruce having been missing for three months. How will the world react to his sudden reappearance? And what questions will that bring? What Absolute Batman #10 shows is a world where the bad guys won, and it wasn’t just one supervillain who did it. They meticulously planned and turned everyone they caught into literal beasts.
Absolute Batman #10 is a fresh, dark, and utterly unpredictable take on the Dark Knight. You’ll be bending over backward trying to figure out what happens next!
‘Absolute Batman’ #10 Review: Delivers a Brutal, Unforgettable Bruce Wayne
Absolute Batman #10 is a fresh, dark, and utterly unpredictable take on the Dark Knight. You’ll be bending over backward trying to figure out what happens next!
