Scott Snyder’s Absolute Batman #6 slams the brakes on its first arc, equally bringing chaos, carnage, and character depth. Bruce Wayne, bruised but unbroken, takes one final swing at Black Mask and his Party Animals in a fight that’s equal parts brutal and satisfying. But even as one story ends, the next one looms in the shadows.
Absolute Batman #6 picks up right where we left off—Bruce Wayne is barely standing after his first battle with Black Mask, and let’s just say it didn’t go well. With Alfred refusing to back his methods, Bruce turns to his childhood friend Waylon “Crock” Jones (a.k.a. Killer Croc, but we’re keeping it casual) for help. This leads to a dramatic confession—Bruce finally tells his friends he’s Batman. And in Gotham, honesty isn’t always the best policy.
Meanwhile, Black Mask is playing Santa Claus, dropping high-tech masks across the city and offering cold, hard cash for every act of destruction. With Gotham on the brink and Mayor Gordon dodging a million-dollar bounty, the stakes are as high as the Bat-Signal in a blackout. With a bit of strategic nudging from Edward Nygma (because, of course, the Riddler has ideas), Bruce decides to strike Black Mask where it hurts—the servers running his operation.
Cue an explosive final showdown on Black Mask’s yacht. There are brawls, betrayals, and just enough high-flying action to make you feel like you should be watching this in IMAX. And just when you think things are settling down, a last-page reveal reminds us that Gotham’s next nightmare is just around the corner. (Hint: It involves Bane, and it’s going to hurt.)
Credits: DC Comics
Scott Snyder is a master at blending high-octane action with character-driven storytelling, and Absolute Batman #6 is proof of that. Bruce’s relationships with his old friends—Waylon, Ozzie (Cobblepot), and Eddie—are the heart of this issue. Seeing them react to his secret identity is hilarious and heart-wrenching, and it sets up some serious drama for the next arc.
Nick Dragotta’s art? Absolutely stellar. From the bone-crunching fight sequences to the quiet, emotional flashbacks between Bruce and his mother, every panel is packed with detail and energy. The sequence where Batman fights through Black Mask’s yacht is a masterpiece of motion, with a certain Spring-Loaded Goalie Kick that might just be the funniest (and most badass) thing you’ll see Batman do in a while.
Frank Martin’s colors deserve a shoutout, too. The contrast between the warm, dreamlike flashbacks and the cold, electric blues of Gotham’s present chaos adds another layer of storytelling. And those eerie, robotic Party Animal mask POV shots? Chilling.
Credits: DC Comics
While the pacing is mostly tight, Bruce’s recovery from his previous beatdown feels a little too easy. One second, he’s broken and bleeding; the next, he’s launching into battle like nothing happened. A little more time spent on his physical and emotional regrouping would have made his comeback feel even stronger.
Also, while the final fight delivers, Black Mask himself feels slightly underwhelming as a villain here. He’s a fantastic manipulator, but his confrontation with Batman is over too quickly. Here’s hoping his legacy has some lasting consequences in the next arc.
Absolute Batman #6 is a pulse-pounding conclusion to the first arc, blending action, humor, and heart in the way only Snyder can. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it delivers a Batman story that’s big, bold, and brimming with potential for what comes next.
‘Absolute Batman’ #6 Review: Gotham’s Party is Over, But the Real Fun Begins
Absolute Batman #6 is a pulse-pounding conclusion to the first arc, blending action, humor, and heart in the way only Snyder can. It doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it delivers a Batman story that’s big, bold, and brimming with potential for what comes next.
