How DC Can Enhance Batman, But One Change Could Completely Destroy the Iconic Hero

Warning! Spoilers lie ahead for Absolute Batman #3! In the Absolute Universe, Batman teeters on the brink of losing a defining trait that makes him unique from his Prime Universe version. As Bruce Wayne combats the rising threat of the terrorist group known as the Party Animals, the odds appear insurmountable.

Although this iteration of Absolute Batman lacks the vast Wayne family fortune and cutting-edge technology, he has been showcasing extraordinary resilience, pushing the Party Animals to their limits. However, the precarious reality of his world is compelling DC’s new Dark Knight towards a deal that could jeopardize the essence of what makes Absolute Batman significant.

Black Mask Proposes a Lucrative Deal to Batman

Bruce Wayne Faces a Tempting Offer

In Absolute Batman #3, crafted by Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles, readers find Bruce and Alfred navigating the streets in the imposing Batmobile, pursued by the Party Animals. Amidst their flight, Alfred fills Bruce in on the gang’s operations and their formidable leader, Black Mask (Roman Sionis). Alfred warns Bruce that Sionis’s influence extends to destabilizing governments under the orders of powerful backers, advising him to reconsider his approach to the ongoing conflict.

Alfred implores Bruce to contemplate Black Mask’s offer of assistance, suggesting that the resources could significantly enhance Batman’s operations. Bruce, perceiving the threat, ultimately ejects Alfred from the Batmobile to regroup in one of his Batcaves. Later, utilizing an AI consultation with his ally Eddie, Batman discovers troubling insights about the Party Animals, reaffirming Alfred’s assertion that they are too formidable to confront alone.

In a striking turn, Black Mask indeed presents Bruce with an astonishing sum of $200 million, provided he agrees to withdraw from the conflict for one week, enabling a potential transformation of Batman’s endeavors in Gotham. Bruce, in a moment of frustration, initially dismisses the offer before bitterly conceding to take the deal.

Is Absolute Batman Abandoning His Working-Class Foundations?

A Crushing Reality for Bruce Wayne

Originally, the Absolute Universe merely existed as yet another dimension within DC’s extensive multiverse, until the destruction of Darkseid’s physical form unleashed residual energy that altered a newly formed Earth. This new reality became steeped in turmoil, mirroring the very characteristics epitomized by Darkseid. Iconic DC characters still inhabit this universe, yet they share a markedly more challenging narrative compared to their Prime counterparts.

Unlike many other incarnations of Bruce Wayne, whose backgrounds are often marked by privilege, this version experienced a starkly different life. Born to a working-class family, with a father who taught and a mother dedicated to social work, Bruce endured the devastating loss of his father during a mass shooting at a zoo rather than the iconic Crime Alley. This tragic incident fueled Bruce’s fury, leading him to rebel during his youth before ultimately channeling that energy into a desire to foster change.

Despite lacking the financial backing for advanced gadgetry, Bruce cultivated a practical Batsuit. He utilized his knowledge in psychology and engineering to emerge as a formidable force against the Party Animals, who have plagued Gotham for far too long.

The Risk of Compromising Batman’s Core Identity

Avoiding the Allure of Corrupted Wealth

Absolute Batman #2 Variant cover feature

While the prospect of a financial windfall from Black Mask appears enticing, accepting his money would raise profound moral dilemmas, given that Black Mask is intrinsically linked to criminality and the suffering of others. Accepting such a deal would ultimately strip Bruce of one of his most compelling traits—being a Batman who navigates challenges without the safety net of enormous financial resources. Observing this variant of Bruce’s struggle enhances the narrative, highlighting his resourcefulness in building a crime-fighting enterprise with sheer dedication, unlike his affluent counterpart.

Beyond merely threatening Batman’s operations, Black Mask recognizes the efficacy and impact of Absolute Batman’s actions. His offer of money further signifies his growing concern over Batman’s exploits.

It is plausible that Bruce may employ this offer as a strategic bluff, as he often does with adversaries but this encounter serves as a profound reminder that even his formidable skills render him a small player among the influential elite. Although Bruce cultivates immense strength, he might be beginning to reassess the role that substantial resources could play in effecting change.

However, what he fails to acknowledge is that he is enacting change without hefty finances. The very fact that Black Mask is extending a lucrative offer underscores his fear of Absolute Batman’s potential for reform. This new iteration of Batman exemplifies that true transformative power lies in willpower and vision, rather than in wealth or advanced technology. His current journey galvanizes those around him, undermining the notion that money is a requisite for making a significant impact.

Struggles that Forge True Heroism

Self-Reliance as the Path to Improvement

Through the dark lens of Darkseid’s creation, the Absolute Universe has cultivated fertile grounds for a unique Batman archetype—one who fights and perseveres against adversity. A monetary solution would not alleviate the underlying concerns intensifying his struggles. Rather, his efforts to strike back against figures like Black Mask may yield a more meaningful resolution. It is imperative that Batman rejects this tempting offer and continues unwavering in his mission to outmaneuver these new threats.

Absolute Batman #3 is now available from DC Comics.

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