ABSOLUTE BATMAN #1

ABSOLUTE BATMAN #1

i absolutely adore issue #1 of absolute batman srsly

as someone has just been getting into DC this year, but still aware enough of the basic principles of batman's origin and character, this feels like a really exciting, yet approachable story.

I'd seen online some complaints that it's the 'same old batman' and that it's just another 'rehashed story with nothing interesting or worthwhile.'

I've even seen complaints regarding the inclusion of (spoilers) classic rogues like catwoman, killer croc, the penguin, riddler, twoface being introduced or mentioned so early in the story or simply being mentioned at all.

First of all - it's a five-issue series - there's only so much time to introduce everyone - and I think the first issue does a wonderful job at setting up the characters and world right of the bat.

Besides, I like the rogues. I like the DC characters - I'm reading a batman comic after all. This isn't to say that characters haven't been butchered in certain runs, or that DC always tells good stories.

What I'm meaning is - just think about what makes comics so different from every other media format? Aside from the gorgeous use of text, color, form and image - trust me, I am GOING to be making numerous posts about the silly bat costume and the GORGEOUS ART.

I'm still very new to comics, so I might be off here obviously, but;

when I think of batman, I think of the character

and what makes the character of batman?

Well, absolute batman is obviously asking this question - they've taken away the money, mansion, and butler - on top of that - his mum is alive! (He is a mama's boy 100%).

BATMAN IS GOTHAM

Like; Alfred Pennyworth (HOT DAMN THO) is narrating most of issue 1, and I love it - but when he arrives, he's asking 'where is your heart Gotham?', and then batman later appears.

Batman, who has studied and worked every blue-collar job ever - who knows the city in and out - who repairs the stairs he breaks in the night at his day job. Who Alfred acknowledges is building something here - who is childhood friends with his rogues - he's protecting Gotham.

Even Killer Croc goes 'This is our HOME, man ... someone's got to do something!'

This is overlayed a photo of them all as childhood friends, and child Bruce is even smiling - it's so precious.

We're being presented with a Gotham that's in very dire straits - and this is a Batman that feels so much more a part of the city.

Batman LOVES his city, and he LOVES the people in it.

To me, Batman is a protector.

Alfred calls him a crusader, citing his mother as his one weakness - seeing Bruce come home to a regular old house with his mum sitting on the steps - that got me.

Batman has this single-minded devotion - that's the strength of his love. I never realized how weak that devotion to his ideals seemed when he had all the money and resources in the world.

You take that away? You get a Batman who has planned his entire life to learning everything he can, on his own merits - that's some superhero shit.

Anyway, I'm so excited to see where this series goes - can't wait to meet more of the rogues! At the end of day, nothing stings quite like childhood friends who aren't as close as they used to be. Plus, his costume is cool as hell and so so so silly.