I just put down Absolute Batman #1, and I need to catch my breath. Whatever you thought this was going to be, it’s not what you expected. Simply put, Gotham City isn’t ready for this version of Batman, and neither are you. I know I wasn’t.

If you haven’t been keeping up, Absolute Batman is a new series from Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta that’s set in an entirely new continuity, separate from the rest of the DC Universe. You don’t need to have any prior knowledge of Batman’s history before picking this book up. In fact, if you’re a fan of DC Universe movies or television shows but you’ve never picked up a comic, then this is a pretty great one to start with. It’ll be familiar enough to you that you’ll get all the references while also remaining completely unlike anything you’ve ever seen before.

The series introduces us to a completely new version of Bruce Wayne. This Batman is fundamentally different (yet in many ways similar) from the one we’ve seen in comics, movies and animated projects.

For starters, he doesn’t come from generational wealth. This Bruce Wayne didn’t grow up in a mansion with a butler. He doesn’t have an endless bank account to fund his war on crime. There’s also a pretty big difference when it comes to his origin, which has stirred up plenty of good-natured debate online.

First, though, if you don’t want any spoilers for Absolute Batman #1, then don’t read any further than this, because I’m about to give it away. Across the multiverse, there is one constant in Batman’s origin—the murder of Thomas and Martha Wayne. The details have changed over the years, but this has been what has shaped Batman in movies, animation and comics. Absolute Batman is another story.

While Bruce lost his father as a young boy, his mother survived, raising him to adulthood. In fact, Bruce’s mother is still around in the present day. I’ve seen many strange sights while reading Batman comics, but seeing an adult Bruce Wayne having a conversation with his living mother in the present day…it’s so unexpected that it’s almost jarring. And the creative potential this one change offers is substantial.

How did having a surviving parent shape Bruce growing up? This is a version of Batman that didn’t have to grieve the death of his father alone. He and his mother were able to get through this together. As for how this changed him as a person…well, we’re only one issue in and still learning that.

However, if you think growing up with a mother’s love made Batman gentler, think again. This guy isn’t pulling any punches. Full disclosure, when the initial promotional images came out, I saw some of the online reactions and I initially agreed with them. Until I discovered WHY he looks the way that he does…

Yes, Batman’s ears are a bit long and they look kind of funny. You know what’s not funny? They double as blades, giving Batman a potentially lethal weapon against his enemies. (Though, don’t worry, this Dark Knight still avoids killing.) Batman’s cape has something of a weird shape, but that’s because some portions of it are made of harder material that he can use as stilts to hover above the ground and attack criminals…or to smack them across the head. And yeah, we can’t ignore this Batman’s redesigned emblem. It’s big, bulky, strange-looking…and doubles as an axe head.

In other words, this is a Batman who isn’t playing around. At one point during the first issue, he shoots Alfred in the face. Don’t worry, he uses non-lethal bullets and Alfred is fine…mostly. It’s an interesting moment, because while it does demonstrate how this version of Batman is unhinged, it means that he still has a moral code, and something that keeps him from turning into a violent fascist.

As you’re reading this you might be saying, ‘This doesn’t sound like Batman,’ or ‘That’s not the Bruce Wayne I know.’ You’re absolutely right, and that’s the beauty of it. This isn’t in character for Batman because this isn’t the Batman from mainstream continuity. This is ABSOLUTE Batman.

Who is he? At this point, we can’t be sure. However, I wasn’t prepared for what I saw, and I look forward to getting to know this version of Gotham’s Dark Knight more. Hopefully, you’ll be joining me.
 

Absolute Batman #1 by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin is now available in print and as a digital comic book.

Joshua Lapin-Bertone writes about TV, movies and comics for DC.com, is a regular contributor to the Couch Club and writes our monthly Batman column, "Gotham Gazette." Follow him on Twitter at @TBUJosh.

NOTE: The views and opinions expressed in this feature are solely those of Joshua Lapin-Bertone and do not necessarily reflect those of DC or Warner Bros. Discovery, nor should they be read as confirmation or denial of future DC plans.