ABSOLUTE BATMAN ANNUAL #1: Our Own Ways

It’s annual time! The biggest names in comics bring us stories such as how exactly Batman gets his Batmobile and just what life was like for the Party Animals when Batman arrived violently on the scene. Everyone has their own way of doing things. Come witness Batman’s!

Creative Team: Daniel Warren Johnson (WRITER, ARTIST, and COVER), Mike Spicer (COLORIST and COVER), Clayton Cowles (LETTERS), James Harren (WRITER and ARTIST), and Dave Stewart (COLORS)

*ABSOLUTE SPOILERS AHEAD*

The Story:

This annual takes us back in time as we see a young and very green version of Bruce, who is determined to bring justice and retribution to Gotham’s criminals. DWJ takes us down a path that features a very heartwarming discussion, emotionally lettered by Clayton with his father. This back and forth, mixed with Bruce, who is fighting a violent gang that is taking over. Daniel sets us up for Bruces upbringing and who he can be.

We see Bruce beaten down and saved by a priest who saves him. What makes this poetic is how, when Bruce arrives as Batman and begins to beat the criminals to a pulp, that same priest steps in to bring medical aid to them. It’s a beautiful story of being the better being and the duality, Bruce. He wants to destroy them, and on this path, we learn from both the priest and his father that we have to be better.

The second story showcases Black Mask and the Animal Party in their early days, as well as Batman once more. These stories show the early days and dive deeper into the mythos of Absolute Batman. James and DWJ deliver in big ways with each of their stories, setting us up in anticipation for Batman’s showdown with Bane.

The Art and Letters:

Mike Spice, Dave Stewart, and DWJ bring the heat in terms of artistic glory and brutality. Batman breaks bones, he hits hard, and he doesn’t shy away from violence to which they bring to us in epic detail. Clayton adds the sfx when bones crunch as they highlight through various details of colors and arms twisted and mangled, the absolute carnage this universe delivers on. I love how we see early Batman throwing Batarangs into eyes and dumping boiling water on villains matching their energy in every manner.

What stood out to me was Bruce’s lesson on why the priest continues to save both good and evil, and when we go back to the discussions with Bruce and his father. The emotion in the eyes is captured despite the cowl being on in many of the emotional scenes. You can feel and see Bruce learning lessons and shaping how he wages his one-man war.

Final Thoughts:

Absolute Batman Annual #1 brings brutality, important lessons, and, most importantly, we see where he gets his Batmobile! Perhaps one of the most important issues in this young series, yet the team delivers in every aspect, making this a must-read.

Overall Grade:10/10

For more reviews by Matt Roth, check out http://linktr.ee/hopsgeeknews and make sure to tell us your thoughts in the comments below!