“The Zoo” Part One
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artists: Nick Dragotta
Color Artist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Clayton Cowless
Review by Bryant Lucas
The Dark Knight and his supporting cast are born anew, as Absolute Batman #1 redefines the franchise in a new and exciting way.
After years away, Agent Alfred Pennyworth returns to Gotham with a new mission: to surveil a ruthless gang known as The Party Animals. Their brutal disregard for life—children included—hasn’t just shaken the lives of the city’s law-abiding citizens, but also Gotham’s criminal underworld. Despite their brutality, Pennyworth receives a strict order from MI6: do not engage with them under any circumstances. Yet there’s another potential complication—rumors of a mysterious, bat-shaped figure who’s been circling the gang. Unlike The Party Animals, Pennyworth is authorized to confront this unknown player… an order that brings him face-to-face with an Absolutely new Batman.
This Ain’t Ya Grandpappy’s Caped Crusader
Since DC announced Absolute Batman Scott Snyder has been vocal about his approach to this new incarnation of the Dark Knight. This version of Batman is a far cry from his Earth-0 counterpart—no generational wealth, no sprawling Wayne Manor. Instead, this Gen Z Bruce Wayne grew up in Crime Alley, and he’s not a lean acrobat, but a bulky, working-class engineer. Absolute Batman #1 fully delivers on these promises and more, with Snyder going beyond physical and situational changes, rewriting the very essence of Batman’s origin story.
For those familiar with Snyder’s work, this is no small feat. He made his mark on the Batman franchise during DC’s New 52 era, crafting an iconic run. Tackling a new Batman title could have felt like a retread of his past work, but that’s not the case here. The changes Snyder implements are so radical that this Batman feels like no other version in DC’s history. This new take gives Snyder a rare kind of creative freedom—he’s not weighed down by 80 years of established lore, allowing him to truly reinvent the character.
In terms of the script, it’s evident that Snyder has evolved as a writer. His New 52 run, while beloved, was often criticized for heavy exposition and decompressed storytelling. Absolute Batman #1 avoids these pitfalls, offering a tightly structured and well-paced narrative. Snyder doesn’t rely on exposition to explain this new Gotham; instead, he lets the reader piece it together through action and dialogue. For instance, rather than narrating Batman’s skills, we learn about them through Alfred Pennyworth’s observations, creating a more immersive and engaging experience. This gradual reveal makes for a compelling read, letting us discover this new Batman piece by piece.
A Buff Batman
Just as Snyder has redefined Batman’s character, Nick Dragotta has reimagined him visually, and it’s a bold departure. Batman has had plenty of makeovers over the years, but few are as drastic as Dragotta’s take. If I’m being honest, this is the part of the book I find most off-putting.
First, let me make something clear: I think Dragotta’s art is stellar overall. He takes Snyder’s dense script and breathes life into it with dynamic, engaging visuals. His panel work is sharp, and the movement of his characters feels fluid and kinetic. It’s easy to see why DC tapped him for such a major title—he’s got the skills to pull it off.
That said, I’m not a fan of his Batman design. The sheer bulk of this version of Batman, paired with Snyder’s inclination for gratuitous violence, makes Absolute Batman #1 feel like it’s straight out of the 90s. In fact, Batman’s new look is uncomfortably close to that of his infamous 90s nemesis, Bane—the barrel-chested, venom-pumped luchador.
For those unfamiliar, the 90s were all about an EXTREME-MAX aesthetic, where male heroes were absurdly bulky (thanks, Rob Liefeld), and female characters were drawn with impossibly exaggerated hourglass figures. Picture a teenage boy downing two gallons of Mountain Dew while binge-watching Die Hard for 48 hours—that’s the vibe. It was hyper-toxic masculinity, cranked to eleven. Not all of Absolute Batman #1 feels like a throwback to that era, and much of the book aligns with today’s sensibilities. But the fact that Batman looks like a young Arnold Schwarzenegger inevitably draws comparisons to the Dark Age of Comics (Grant Morrison’s term – not mine). It’s an inescapable parallel.
Conclusion
While I’m hesitant to declare the concept of Absolute Batman a homerun, I will say that the first issue was very good. Snyder’s story delivers on his imaginative “what if… ?” premise. Dragotta’s art compliments the story well, breathing life into what was likely a hefty script. Overall, Absolute Batman #1 accomplished its major goal: it has me excited for the next issue.
Final Verdict: Grab your copy now. This book is good, and it’s going to fly off the shelf.
Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment