Comic Review: Absolute Batman #6 – A Visceral, Emotional Masterpiece

Absolute Batman #6 concludes the first arc of Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s radical reimagining of the Dark Knight with a brutal, emotionally charged finale that blends relentless action with profound character introspection. This issue is a masterclass in balancing chaos and catharsis, delivering some of the most striking Batman moments in recent memory—though not without a few stumbles along the way.

Gotham in Flames – A City on the Brink

The issue opens with Gotham in complete anarchy. Roman Sionis, having unleashed his criminal recruitment spree, has turned the city into a warzone. Batman, battered and desperate, seeks refuge with his closest allies—only to be met with mixed reactions. The dynamic between Bruce and his "friend group" (Oswald Cobblepot, Harvey Dent, Waylon Jones, and Edward Nygma) is one of the series' strongest elements. Their disbelief, anger, and reluctant support add layers to Bruce’s isolation. Cobblepot’s line—"Waylon wants to punch you. Harvey wants to arrest you. Eddie says he guessed it weeks ago, the jackass."—perfectly encapsulates the messy, human relationships Snyder has crafted.

Meanwhile, Martha Wayne and Jim Gordon navigate the streets, trying to talk sense into the mask-wearing rioters—only to realize they’ve been marked for death. The parallel storytelling between Bruce’s past and present is executed flawlessly, with Dragotta’s art shifting tones to distinguish between the melancholic warmth of childhood flashbacks and the frenetic violence of the present.

The Fight on the Yacht – Brutality with Purpose

The centerpiece of this issue is Batman’s assault on Roman’s yacht—a sequence that is equal parts brutal, darkly comedic, and thematically rich. Snyder and Dragotta don’t hold back:

The Life Jacket Beatdown: Batman systematically dismantles Roman’s enforcers, wrapping each in a life jacket before hurling them into the sea. The absurdity of punting a child into the water (yes, really) contrasts sharply with the grim reality of Gotham’s collapse.
Roman’s Monologue vs. Batman’s Silence: Sionis waxes poetic about the screams of dying pigs from his childhood—only for Batman to drive his own head into Roman’s mask, shattering it with a chilling "Did… it… sound… anything like this?" The full-page spread of Roman’s shriek is horrifyingly effective.
The Final Blow: Batman doesn’t kill, but he leaves Roman broken, tossing him overboard before detonating the yacht’s servers in a fiery climax.

This fight isn’t just spectacle—it’s a manifestation of Bruce’s trauma and his mother’s lessons. The flashbacks to young Bruce and Martha reviewing an obituary album (including a photo from the day of his parents' murder) reinforce the core theme: pain as armor, hope as a weapon.

Martha Wayne – The Heart of the Story

Martha’s role in Absolute Batman has been revelatory. Unlike most interpretations, she’s alive, fiercely compassionate, and a moral anchor for Bruce. Her speech to him as a child—"You wear the pain like a damn cape. And you work every day to stop those bad things from ever happening again."—echoes in Batman’s actions. Her standoff with the rioters, refusing to back down even at gunpoint, mirrors Bruce’s defiance.

The tragedy? She still doesn’t know her son is Batman. Snyder teasing a potential reveal ("I really hope she eventually gets to learn… I’d love to see that conversation.") is one of the most compelling hooks for future arcs.

The Epilogue – A Terrifying Tease

The final pages introduce a grotesque, enigmatic figure—a pale, skeletal man surrounded by pulsating red flesh—who coldly orders, "Get Bane." Is this the Joker? A new villain? The ambiguity is tantalizing, and Dragotta’s design is unsettling in the best way.

Art & Pacing – Dragotta’s Triumph (With Minor Stumbles)

Nick Dragotta’s art is the backbone of this series. His ability to shift between:

Dreamlike Flashbacks (soft edges, warm hues)
Visceral Action (exaggerated motion, splatter-style violence)
Surreal Horror (the epilogue’s monstrous figure)
…is nothing short of masterful. Dave Stewart’s colors amplify every mood shift, particularly the eerie glow of Batman’s underwater rescue by Alfred in the Bat-Dozer (yes, that happened).

That said, the issue’s pacing occasionally suffers from Snyder’s heavy-handedness. The thematic parallels between past and present are powerful but occasionally repetitive ("We get it, pain makes him stronger"). Additionally, while the brutality is impactful, some moments (like the child-kicking) risk tipping into gratuitousness.

My Score: 8/10 – A Bold, Flawed Triumph

Pros:

+ Martha Wayne’s characterization – One of the best takes on the character ever.

+ Dragotta’s art – A stylistic tour-de-force.

+ Roman’s defeat – A perfect blend of brutality and dark humor.

+ The friend-group dynamic – Hilarious and heartfelt.

+ The epilogue tease – Genuinely unsettling.

Cons:

- Some over-the-top violence – The child punt walks a fine line.

- Repetitive themes – Snyder sometimes over-explains his metaphors.

- Underused allies – Selina’s absence is felt.

Final Thoughts:

Absolute Batman #6 isn’t perfect, but it’s one of the most memorable Batman stories in years. Snyder and Dragotta have crafted a Gotham that feels both mythic and terrifyingly real. If the next arc leans further into the horror elements teased in the epilogue, this could become an all-timer.