Comic Review: Absolute Batman #7 – Gotham Freezes Over, and the Heart Beats Louder Than Ever

 

Thanks to the incredible kindness of Scott Snyder, I had the opportunity to read Absolute Batman #7 before its official release. And I have to admit—as someone who’s had mixed feelings about previous issues—this chapter marks a clear turning point. Not only is this the best issue of the series so far, but it's also one of the most atmospheric and emotionally mature portrayals of Batman in recent years.

Gotham Drowns in Ice – A New Era for Mr. Freeze

The biggest surprise—and the crown jewel—of this issue is the reinvention of Mr. Freeze. Victor Jr., the son of Victor Fries, becomes the central figure of this story and, honestly, is terrifying even before he fully becomes Mr. Freeze. His obsession with ice as a symbol of divinity, purity, and preservation is contrasted sharply with his own traumatic experience of being frozen—described as pure suffering and agony. This not only redefines the “freezing loved ones” trope but completely flips the emotional dynamic we’re used to from classic Freeze versions.

This take on the character is no longer a calm scientist with a freeze gun but a distorted, almost Junji Ito-esque figure—elongated, grotesquely transformed, and now with natural cryokinetic powers. Visually: nightmare poetry.

Bruce, His Friends, and Broken Trust

But Mr. Freeze isn't the only reason this issue shines. The real heart of the story lies in Bruce’s fractured relationships with his childhood friends from Crime Alley. Ever since they discovered he’s Batman, tensions have been rising—and this issue finally brings the long-awaited confrontation. It’s emotional, raw, and absolutely necessary. There are accusations that Bruce manipulated them, that he only maintained their friendships to train or gather intel for his crime-fighting.

It’s drama that hits deep—because it shows Batman’s loneliness wasn’t inevitable; it was the result of his own choices, his distance, his need for control. And now, it feels like his oldest friends might one day become his most bitter enemies.

Matches Malone – A Mask With Its Own Life

A surprise addition is Matches Malone—not just as a persona, but as a fully realized character. Snyder flips the traditional concept: Malone is no longer just a disguise, but a real person with a believable history and emotional ties to Bruce and the gang. While he still plays the role of underworld informant, his existence adds another layer to the tangled web of loyalty, betrayal, and secrecy that Snyder is weaving in the background.

Ark M, Joker, and the Future of Gotham

This issue is full of teases. Ark M—the mysterious location increasingly mentioned—seems to hold the key to Gotham's future. Multiple Batman rogues get name-dropped, hinting at a much darker evolution of these villains in this twisted universe. But instead of chasing a massive, chaotic showdown, Absolute Batman #7 keeps the focus small and intimate: Bruce versus Freeze. And that makes it hit even harder.

Visuals – Cold Never Looked This Good

With all due respect to Nick Dragotta, Marcos Martín and the colorist (likely Muntsa Vicente) elevate this issue to a new level. From the first page, you can feel the shift. The shadow-heavy dialogues, the use of silhouettes, the delicate facial expressions, the icy but vibrant Gotham skyline—visually, this book is masterful. The two-page spread of Batman in his full cape (a rarity in this series) evokes grandeur but also a sense of vulnerability.

Martín plays with perspective and timelines seamlessly. This issue is just gorgeous.

Conclusion

Absolute Batman #7 is undoubtedly the series’ best entry so far—and one of the strongest Batman comics in recent memory. Instead of charging toward another big event, Snyder slows down and dives deep into his characters’ hearts. He doesn’t just develop the key players—he breathes life into Gotham itself.

If upcoming issues keep this level of quality, Absolute Batman might become one of the most important Batman stories of the decade.

Pros:

+ A fresh, original, and terrifying take on Mr. Freeze

+ Emotional confrontation between Bruce and his Crime Alley friends

+ Surprising and well-written version of Matches Malone as a real character

+ Deep, layered dialogue and psychological nuance

+ Stunning visuals – Marcos Martín at the top of his game

+ Strong atmosphere that recalls the best of Batman: TAS and Akira

Cons:

- Action fans might feel underwhelmed—this issue is dialogue-heavy

- Lots of new plot threads are teased but not yet explored

- New readers may feel lost without a recap of earlier issues

Final Rating: 9/10