The DC K.O. series has been a long time coming, and at its core are Darkseid and Batman. Darkseid created the Absolute Universe in DC's All-In #1 Special. There, characters like Bruce Wayne grew up in a darker Earth. There was no Justice League. No lineages of past superheroes could inspire them or serve as benchmarks to follow. There was only an uncertain path forward, bounded by their determination to protect others and make their world a better place.
Writer Scott Snyder and artist Nick Dragotta spoke at last year's San Diego Comic-Con about the new universe of storytelling they had created. Scott set out to flip the mythology that longtime readers were familiar with, such as Arkham, Killer Croc, and the Joker. In addressing the then-current storyline, Batman ventures into the private prison Ark M. He discovers a labyrinth beneath the prison where the researchers perform horrifying experiments to create new monsters.
Scott Snyder also reinvented Bane, who spent his youth in prison to pay for his father's systems. In Ark M, the researchers infuse him with venom to enhance his body and mind. Bane believes he holds the divine gift of war, with the venom allowing him to conquer all his foes. Bane wants Bruce to see that becoming a god of war is the only way to keep your loved ones safe. But like Darkseid, Bane believes the only way to protect others is to dominate his world.
Artist Nick Dragotta spoke about the challenge of drawing on 85 years of Batman history to create a new interpretation of the character. He found inspiration in Frank Miller and earlier artists as he sought to create something readers had never seen before. He worked hard to translate the energy powering Snyder's script into page-turning stories. For Snyder's Abomination storyline, he strived to draw a similarity between Bruce Wayne and Bane, enhancing how the venom-powered villain wishes to take the young crime-fighter under his wing.
If your interests as a reader tend more toward established comic continuities, this may be the time for you to check out the world of Absolute Batman. Darkseid may rule his Absolute Universe, but he's not going to let the prime universe's champions in the DC K.O. series become King Omega if he can help it. Nor will the Heart of Apokolips allow the champions to take the crown without confronting these different versions of themselves. With our world hanging in the balance, if you haven't yet joined the Absolute party, consider this another invitation. Perhaps, like Scott Snyder, you'll find that Absolute Batman is so different that it's the most fun you've ever had.
Now, here's a look inside Absolute Batman #1:
Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this preview with us and for hosting their Gotham City panel at SDCC 2025. Thanks also to the press office at San Diego Comic-Con for allowing me to share this look at Absolute Batman with you.
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