It's a question on a lot of comic fans' minds right now: when can we expect the next installment of this fresh take on the Caped Crusader? With the launch of DC's "Absolute Universe," things are definitely not as we've come to expect them. Think of it like a reboot, but one that's deliberately shedding decades of complicated history to offer a streamlined, modernized vision of our favorite heroes. And if the first couple of issues are anything to go by, this Batman is a far cry from the billionaire playboy we've known.
So, what's changed for this new Batman in 2024? Well, for starters, Bruce Wayne isn't rolling in dough. He's not a millionaire with a mansion, a loyal butler, and a Batcave overflowing with high-tech gadgets. Instead, he's a blue-collar civil engineer, hailing from a much humbler background. The story, as told through the eyes of Alfred Pennyworth (more on him in a bit), reveals a Bruce whose father, Thomas, was a schoolteacher, not a doctor. Young Bruce showed near-genius intellect, even winning a science competition with a design for a portable, retractable bridge. It was during a field trip to the Gotham City Zoo, a prize for that win, that tragedy struck. A gunman opened fire, and Thomas Wayne, shielding his students, was caught in the crossfire. This profound trauma, it seems, is the genesis of this Batman, and you can bet Bruce carries a heavy burden of guilt from that day.
Issue #2 really digs into how that trauma shaped him. We see another flashback to the zoo shooting, where a stray bullet tears through the bat exhibit. Bruce is engulfed by bats, left catatonic until Jim Gordon arrives and hears his scream. This Bruce clearly has a deep, almost primal, fascination with and terror of bats. His training, too, is different. After faking a career-ending injury from a college football scholarship, he dove into chemistry, engineering, criminal psychology – anything to prepare him for fighting crime. He didn't globe-trot to train with legendary warriors, but he's developed a unique street-fighting style blending MMA and boxing. And his work as a civil engineer across Gotham has given him an intimate understanding of the city he's trying to save.
One of the most fascinating twists is Bruce's childhood friend group. We learn that Harvey Dent, Selina Kyle, Waylon Jones, Eddie Nashton, and Oswald Cobblepot were all part of his inner circle. They're still friends, though Bruce is increasingly distant as his nocturnal activities take over. It raises so many questions: have their destinies changed in this Absolute Universe, or will we see Waylon become Killer Croc, Eddie the Riddler, and so on? In issue #1, Waylon runs the boxing gym where Bruce trains and shows no sign of his reptilian condition. He seems like Bruce's best friend right now. Issue #2 shows Bruce making a rare appearance at their poker game. Their banter reveals Eddie's obsession with riddles, hints at Oswald's shady dealings, and shows Harvey as an ambitious law clerk. Selina, meanwhile, is off traveling the world.
And Alfred? He's not the butler we know. In this universe, Alfred is a secret agent for a mysterious organization. Issue #1 is even narrated from his perspective. It's unclear if he's working for the British government or an agency like ARGUS, but his role is clearly far more active and clandestine than simply serving tea.
As for when the next issue of Absolute Batman will be available, DC hasn't officially announced a release date for Absolute Batman #3 yet. However, given the staggered release of the first two issues, it's reasonable to expect the next chapter to arrive sometime in the coming months. Keep an eye on official DC Comics announcements for the definitive word. This new universe is certainly shaping up to be an exciting, and perhaps unsettling, new chapter for the Dark Knight.