Up next on my DC extravaganza, I’m diving back into the ongoing Batman series—let’s see if the positive momentum from All-In carries over to this issue!
As always, minor spoilers ahead.
After two years away from Batman comics, I was pleasantly surprised by this issue. While not a reboot, it serves as a solid starting point in the current run. With DC’s All-In initiative, I’m glad they’re providing flexible “jumping on” points for readers.
Though this issue is vastly different in tone and scale compared to the All-In special, it works well as a “street-level” story, grounding us back in Gotham’s gritty reality. This Batman doesn’t seem to be the same one from All-In, and I’m not entirely sure how it fits into the timeline—but leaving that aside, Gotham itself has definitely changed since I last visited.
An interesting element in this issue is how it tackles a long-standing question fans have been asking for years: Why doesn’t Bruce Wayne just use his wealth to solve Gotham’s problems? Well, this issue does mention how Gotham begins to change when money is invested in bettering the city. (Take notes, America!) Alfred’s absence still looms large for me. Here’s hoping Absolute Batman brings my much-needed Alfred fix!
Jorge Jimenez is back on art duties, and as always, his work is breathtaking. I remember when he first joined during Tynion’s run, and I’m glad to see him still lending his talents to Gotham’s world. Batman, Jim Gordon, the Riddler, and Gotham itself all look stunning, with the action sequences being both brutal and tense, thanks to Jimenez’s.
Even though I’m not fully caught up on the recent backstory, I had no trouble following along. The Riddler, now apparently a good guy, presents an interesting twist—though I doubt that change will stick. While the story so far isn’t breaking new ground, I’m keeping an open mind for where it might lead.
One aspect I particularly appreciated was the brief glimpse into Mayor Nakano’s personal struggles. Though short, these scenes do a great job of capturing the emotional toll of being a corrupt official trying to navigate family life. While there are other emotional beats throughout, this one stood out for me.
I’ll keep this review brief, just like the issue itself. I enjoyed it, and it left me eager to see where the story goes next. There’s plenty of potential here, and I’m definitely curious to see how this series connects to All-In.
Thanks for taking the time to read this post on My Comic Crate! Feel free to share your thoughts or any advice for my reviews in the comments below.
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