“The Straw Man” Part Three
Writer: Scott Snyder,
Artists: Nick Dragotta
Color Artist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Review by Eric Lee
Absolute Batman #21 continues to be an amazing run of over-the-top moments that is tempered with character scenes.
Looking back at the issue, it is amazing how many impactful story beats writer Scott Snyder is able to stuff into just one comic. We get an absolutely wild action scene with Batman versus the Robins squad. But even past the action, there is already more additional subplots being laid. Then there is the deepening of Barbara Gordon’s characterizations and the different Robins’ personalities. And not to mention, we see Harvey, Eddie, Oswald, and Waylon showing their continual slide towards villainy since being scarred by Bane.
Giving Readers What They Want in Ways they Don’t Expect
Or so it seems. It would be easy for readers to expect Bruce’s friends to automatically become bad guys once they experience their traumatizing inciting incidents. But Snyder goes a little deeper than that. Their conversation about what they want to do next is more ambiguous- hence more interesting. It might be disappointing to some fans that we don’t see Two-Face and the Penguin fully cut loose despite what the cover may imply. However, we get something more interesting, a more grey, unclear road for the maybe-future rogues.
Without getting into too deep of spoilers, there is another major confrontation that occurs in this issue. It is completely unexpected, but can really change the trajectory of the series moving forward. This is exactly what an Absolute comic should be. Give readers what they want, but in ways they do not expect it.
Conclusion
Absolute Batman #21 is just filled with so many good story beats that it feels so full and satisfying without becoming overstuffed. This title continues to be the best Batman comic on the market today.
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