ABSOLUTE BATMAN #14: The Final Fight

It’s the final fight to end all fights as Batman and Bane go toe to toe in a battle where two men enter and only one may leave.

Creative Team: Scott Snyder (WRITER), Nick Dragotta (ART and COVER), Frank Martin (COLORS and COVER), and Clayton Cowles (LETTERS).

*ABSOLUTE SPOILERS AHEAD*

The Story:

This has been a massively hyped up fight that delivers in every way. Scott delivers two parallel stories that intertwine bringing Bruce and Waylon’s story and previous lessons into Batman’s battle with Bane. This issue is full of callbacks that are cleverly peppered throughout. The story that finishes with Waylon in his big boxing match as Bruce watches from afar, and ties in wonderfully as the announcers are almost narrating the fight with Bane at the same time. While this is a different take on Bruce, there is tension built within between the temptation of the venom and how his friends have been turned into familiar foes.

I truly appreciate how despite all odds, Bruce has a plan and he sticks to it. Harley, Croc, and the others even help him out rather than the expected twist of them turned villains. The story unfolds and continues to grow and grow before reaching the climax. While Bane is finished for now Scott ensures there is still a bit of a tease at the end while hyping us up for the future.

The Art and Letters:

Nick, Frank, and Clayton bring the big guns out within the artwork to match intensity for this final battle. As Bane grows in size there is so much detail being added in and flesh being torn and Frank and Nick are giving us beautiful panels and splash pages that allow for these moments within the fight to shine. Clayton is bringing the intensity of the battle lending desperation from Alfred in the present and you can hear the announcers growing louder and louder as they cover the past fight as it lines up with the present. This finale is brutal and bloody to which the art team brings out in full display.

Final Thoughts:

Absolute Batman #14 promises an epic showdown building our expectations as well as anticipation and exceeds in the delivery. It is full hair raising action as the story weaves the past with the present capping it all off with a tease toward the future. The best issue of Absolute Batman yet!

Overall Grade: 10/10

This has been a review from Matt from the Hops “Geek” News podcast! Let us know your thoughts on this issue in the comments below!