Absolute Batman #5 is the issue that reminds you why you love comics. Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta push this series to new heights (and depths) as Batman’s war against Black Mask reaches a critical point. With his resources dwindling and his body taking a severe beating, Bruce Wayne is forced to make an impossible choice: break his moral code or watch Gotham spiral into absolute chaos. This issue is brutal, thought-provoking, and dripping with melodrama in the best way possible.
From page one, the tension is unbearable. Batman has spent the last few issues dancing on a razor’s edge with Black Mask, playing a dangerous game of push and pull. But now, the gloves are off. The issue begins with Bruce confronting the consequences of his recent decisions—specifically, what it means to fight a war when your enemy controls the battlefield. The Party Animals are more than just thugs; they’re a movement, a symptom of Gotham’s decay, and Black Mask is more than happy to let the infection spread. The set piece of the issue is Batman’s dramatic rejection of Black Mask’s bribe. In true Absolute Batman fashion, he doesn’t just say no—he sets the entire sum of money ablaze, using the flames to create a makeshift Bat-Signal in the Gotham skyline. If Bruce Wayne had doubts about his path, they’re gone now. This is the hill he’s willing to die on.
One of the strongest aspects of Absolute Batman is its reimagining of classic Gotham villains. Black Mask is not just another crime lord—he’s a symbol of Gotham’s darkest instincts. If Batman represents justice through fear, Black Mask represents nihilism through chaos. And in this issue, he finally proves he’s more than just a thug in a skull mask. For the first time in this series, Batman loses. And it’s brutal. Black Mask doesn’t just beat him physically—though the fight scenes are some of Dragotta’s most savage yet—he dismantles him psychologically. The Party Animals, armed with weapons designed to counter Batman’s brute strength, leave him bleeding, gasping, and questioning whether he can win this war. Black Mask’s final move? Turning Gotham against itself. After Batman’s public stunt, Black Mask goes on live television and calls for the disaffected and desperate to join the Party Animals. It’s an open invitation to burn Gotham to the ground. The idea that Batman’s actions might have fueled the fire rather than extinguished it is the kind of tragic irony that makes for a phenomenal comic.
Credits: DC Comics
Snyder and Dragotta are firing on all cylinders, delivering a Batman story that’s both visually stunning and emotionally charged. The conflict with Black Mask reaches a fever pitch, and the high stakes make this issue truly resonate. This isn’t a story where everything conveniently wraps up. Batman’s choices have weight, his failures sting, and watching him struggle with the fallout is genuinely gripping.
Dragotta’s artwork is a masterclass in kinetic storytelling. The fight scenes, especially Batman’s clash with the Party Animals, are brutal and breathtaking. Every punch, every kick, feels like it carries the force of a small explosion. This Batman is a powerhouse, but Dragotta doesn’t shy away from showing his vulnerability.
However, a particular moment does feel a bit off-key. While visually impressive, Batman’s dramatic, fiery rejection of Black Mask’s offer feels strangely out of character for a supposed pragmatist. Setting millions ablaze to make a point? It’s a bold move but not the most strategic. Then again, this is Absolute Batman, where the emphasis is firmly on the ‘absolute’—no holds barred, no compromises.
Credits: DC Comics
Issue #5 is a resounding success. This issue elevates the narrative to new heights, plunging Gotham into near anarchy while leaving Batman exposed like never before. The stage is set for a truly explosive conclusion. The writing is incisive, the artwork is visually arresting, and the emotional impact is undeniable.
‘Absolute Batman’ #5 Review: Gotham Burns, Batman Rises
Absolute Batman #5 delivers a visceral and emotionally charged experience, showcasing Batman’s brutal struggle against Black Mask as Gotham descends into chaos. The issue’s influential art and high-stakes narrative amplify the tension, making Batman’s moral dilemmas and physical defeats truly resonate.
