WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for ABSOLUTE BATMAN #2!
AbsoluteBatmansees the Bat-Signal’s purpose flipped on its head, turning it into a symbol Batman now uses to taunt his enemies. It’s possibly the pettiest move the Dark Knight has ever pulled—and we’re all for it. But what makes this Bat-Signal twist even more intriguing is the choice of exactly who Batman decides to taunt with it.
Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles’sAbsolute Batman#2picks up where the inaugural issue left off, with hitman Alfred Pennyworth continuing his intense surveillance of the Dark Knight. In the first issue, Alfred uncovered nearly every detail of Bruce’s past after Batman caught his attention battling Black Mask’s Party Animals.
Now, in Issue #2, Alfred’s focus has shifted to tracking Bruce’s routine, both as Batman and in his civilian identity. Part of this meticulous observation involves mapping out Batman’s safe houses around the city, pinpointing each location. But soon,Alfred notices a pattern—a very bat-shaped pattern—emerging on the map.
Absolute Batman Debuts His Bat-Signal By Taunting Alfred Pennyworth
The Absolute Universe Presents A Hot New Take on the Bat-Signal
Through Alfred’s narration, fans discover that Absolute Batman has not just one, but multiple bases scattered throughout Gotham, and that Alfred has been carefully mapping these locations, trying to predict where the other safe houses might be.But when Alfred plots the locations on a map, they form the exact shape of Absolute Batman’s brick-like bat symbol.Realizing this, Alfred mutters,“You have to be #$%& kidding me,”as it dawns on him that his surveillance wasn’t nearly as subtle as he’d thought. Instead, his data has been rendered useless, since Batman was aware of the monitoring all along and deliberately altered his movements to create this false pattern.
Bruce’s decision to let Alfred think he was gathering useful data, while instead shifting his routes to form a glowing bat symbol across the city,introduces a fantastic level of pettiness to this version of Batman.For readers, this is especially entertaining, as Batman has effectively flipped the purpose of the Bat-Signal, crafting his own version of the signal to taunt his adversaries. It’s a clever twist, showing that the Dark Knight has humor when it comes to keeping his foes off balance. It’ll be interesting to see if the Dark Knight has more bat-themed tricks in store to keep annoying his enemies (read: Alfred).
“Batman AF”: The Official Nickname for DC’s Absolute Batman Just Proved He’s The Ultimate Version of The Dark Knight
Absolute Batman’s official nickname has finally dropped, and it leaves no doubt—this is the the Dark Knight in his purest, most unfiltered form.
Absolute Batman Is Slowly Impressing Hitman Alfred Pennyworth (& The Bat-Signal Proves It)
Main Cover by Nick Dragotta & Frank Martin forAbsolute Batman#2 (2024)
Though Alfred seems ready to tear his hair out over Batman’s relentless taunting,readers get the sense that with each of Batman’s one-ups, Alfred’s respect for the vigilante only grows.For instance, even though Alfred curses upon realizing Batman has plotted his safe houses inthe shape of a Bat-Signal, there’s a hint of amused admiration when he adds,“And if anything… he’s certainly committed to the bit.”This amusement then subtly shifts to genuine respect as he remarks on Batman’s perseverance and successes against Black Mask’s Party Animals, specifically noting how Batman never backs down and keeps pushing forward to win.
This breadcrumb trail Snyder has created through Alfred’s observations andnarration hints that the current Spy vs. Spy dynamic between Alfred and Bruce may soon evolve into a partnership.This theory gains traction toward the end of the issue when Alfred finally confronts Batman. Rather than attempting to capture or interrogate him, Alfred extends an olive branch, requesting a brief audience to share valuable information on Black Mask and the Party Animals. While the issue ends shortly after, this moment hints at a possible shift, where Batman and Alfred may soon mirror the partnership familiar to fans from the Earth-Prime canon.
Absolute Red Hood: DC’s First Official Namedrop Teases A Major Change To The Hero’s Origin (Is Jason Todd Batman’s First Ally?)
Absolute Batman has teased the debut of Red Hood before even unveiling Robin—and instantly makes this ‘resistance’ fighter one of the biggest changes.
Absolute Batman Is Committed to His Bat Theme Even More Than the Original
Cover C Card Stock Variant by Jae Lee forAbsolute Batman#2 (2024)
Beyond adding humor and insight into the evolving relationship between Alfred and Batman, the map-plotted Bat-Signal showcases just how deeply this Batman is invested in his bat theme. While all Batmen lean into the symbolism, this version of Bruce takes it to a new extreme, with each issue escalating the bat motif. In Absolute Batman #1, he modified Alfred’s shotgun to shoot tiny, non-lethal metal bats. Issue #2 takes it even further with the map-plottedBat-Signal—a move fueled by pure bat-themed pettiness—and the debut of the massive, tank-like Batmobile, complete with a bat-shaped roof and plow. As Alfred quips, AbsoluteBatmanis truly“committed to the bit.”
Absolute Batman’s Titanic Batmobile Is Basically the Batcave on Wheels (Yes, It Really Is That Big)
Absolute Batman’s Batmobile has roared onto the scene, instantly earning a place among the Dark Knight’s most iconic and unique rides.
ABSOLUTE BATMAN #2is available now from DC Comics!
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
