It couldn’t last forever. Eventually, Absolute Batman’s undefeated streak was going to end. He's been dominant for too long And while this was inevitable, no one could have predicted that writer Scott Snyder would have him lose like this, especially not in such a brutal way.
Absolute Batman No. 5 creative team
- Writer: Scott Snyder
- Art by: Nick Dragotta
- Colorist: Frank Martin
During issue No. 2 and into No. 3 of Absolute Batman, Roman Sionis (Black Mask) made Batman an offer: All he had to do was stand down for a week and stop going after him. Roman even promised to get his Party Animals to take it down a notch. After the week, Batman would be $200 million richer. Alfred convinced Bruce that this was the right thing to do because the money would do wonders for his crusade against crime.
Now that the week is over, what will Bruce do with the money? Buy more tech for his mission? Of course not. He turned $200 million in cash into a giant Bat Symbol and lit up the sky. When Black Mask tells his Party Animals to go at Batman, Bruce says that he doesn’t need cars, planes, or computers for his mission. He says, “All I need is Batman.” It was a great message, but this is one of those times when even being Batman isn't enough.
Roman knows that Batman won’t let people die and uses that against him. While Bruce is protecting the Party Animals from Roman’s snipers, Black Mask has the Dark Knight trapped in nets. Batman is then beaten, has his shoulder dislocated, is set on fire, and is repeatedly shot. Bruce thinks he has the last laugh because he has Roman on tape admitting his crimes. It does nothing.
Out today! Absolute Batman 5! Let us know what you think when you pick it up! pic.twitter.com/L1GW05P2tB
— Scott Snyder (@Ssnyder1835) February 12, 2025
"Welcome to the party, Gotham."
- Black Mask, written by Scott Snyder
Roman goes on live TV and tells the world who he is and what he does. To make matters worse, he gives the people of Gotham City animal masks and guns and tells them to go wild. He says that there are hundreds of millions of dollars up for grabs since Batman turned down his offer. The last thing we see is Jim Gordon and Martha Wayne looking at three Gotham citizens with masks and guns.
Back at his base, Bruce asks Alfred to help him with his wounds, but Alfred is furious, telling him that everything that comes next is on Bruce’s head. Thankfully, there is some good news: Police Officer Barbara Gordon had a chance to shoot Batman before he escaped into the sewer, but she let him go. That could make her a potential ally.
It's not a coincidence that artist Nick Dragotta showed Batman's helmet left behind as he escaped. With it, Barbara could easily find out who Bruce is. He has a criminal record and there are certainly fingerprints or DNA she can use to identify him. When she learns his secret, does she turn him in or help? Also, if Jim and Martha are close, does that mean Barbara and Bruce are too? Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow to find out.
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