Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Batman #4
It’s no secret thatBatmandraws much of his legendary iconography from bats, including his moniker, and his Absolute Universe counterpart just revealed why he’s so fascinated with these creatures of the night. Absolute Batman in particular boasts a much larger bat symbol than his original version, with this massive size finally getting an explanation after months of fan speculation.
InAbsolute Batman#4 by Scott Snyder, Gabriel Hernández Walta, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles, a youngBruce Wayne shows off his engineering projectto his father. He’s constructed a bridge model that resembles a bat in its structure, and when his father asks why he chose to base it on a bat’s attributes, Bruce explains that he designed it to strike fear.
Thomas probes his son further, and Bruce informs him that intimidation can be used to protect people.Bruce’s fixation on bats serves as the primary inspiration for his superhero persona, and his conversation with his father unveils the true meaning of Batman’s symbol.
Absolute Batman Chose His Bat Symbol to Symbolize His Protection of Gotham
Batman Keeps People Safe By Frightening Enemies in Bat-Like Fashion
In his discussion with his father, Thomas suggests that intimidation may not be the ideal tactic to help people with, but Bruce offers a compelling argument that sheds light on his eventualidentity as Batman. He says,“It’ll make people inside feel safe. Protected. And it’s strong.“Bruce believes that bat imagery can intimidate those on the outside so that those on the inside are safer. This perspective demonstrates why thebig logo emblazoned on Batman’s chestis so massive - and why he’s big in general. Batman can scare foes in defense of innocents thanks to the bat-like costume he has designed.
DC Unveils Absolute Batman’s First Costume, And It’s Absolutely Terrifying
Absolute Batman reveals the prototype costume he wore before his now-iconic bulky suit, and it’s already his most horrifying look in DC history.
Moreover, Batman’s costume doesn’t merely need to be as intimidating as it is in most continuities; it must be even more so. As concluded by Bruce,“Here, in this place, at this moment, their bat needs to be all of it, plus more”.TheAbsolute Universeis much darker than the main DC Universe, since it emerged fromDarkseid’s deathto fulfill his desire for a world in his image. A universe in desperate need of hope requires a Batman who is twice the bat he typically is. Thus, his logo and stature have been upgraded to represent this idea of Batman embodying “more”.
Batman’s Bat Inspiration Defines Him in DC’s Absolute Universe
Bats Are Connected to Bruce Wayne’s Deepest Trauma
Batman’s connection to batsis arguably more important to him in the Absolute continuity than in DC’s prime continuity. After his chat with his father, they visit the zoo together for a class trip Bruce won, whereThomas Wayne faces an untimely death. At the moment of Thomas' demise, Bruce is locked in a bat sanctuary and surrounded by the terrifying creatures. Bats are present throughout critical moments between Bruce and his father, influencing the hero he becomes. In this universe’s bold reinvention of classic lore,Batman’s bat iconography becomes more heartfelt than it’s ever been, with his intimidation fulfilling a noble purpose.
Absolute Batman#4is available now from DC Comics.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
