Absolute Batman #12

Writer: Scott Snyder Artist: Nick Dragotta Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: September 10, 2025 Cover Price: $4.99 Critic Reviews: 10 User Reviews: 25
9.5Critic Rating
8.5User Rating

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Batman is at the mercy of the monstrous Bane. And though his body hasseen better days, his mind and spirit are still strong. But how much longercan that withstand Bane’s brutal onslaught?

  • 10
    Get Your Comic On - Neil Vagg Sep 10, 2025

    Does it get any better than this? Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta bring us another devastating, brutal, blockbuster slice of story from what might just be the most bleak version of Batman's story we've ever seen. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield Sep 10, 2025

    This is probably the darkest issue of the run so far, and so the character who appears at the end is very welcome. Scott Snyder has played with these dark themes before, but we've never seen him unleashed quite like he is in this run. Read Full Review

  • 10
    Nerd Initiative - Ken M. Sep 10, 2025

    How far can Bane push Batman before he breaks? It is a more dire question that has no easy answer. Snyder constructs a disturbing & heavy issue of innocence lost. Dragotta, Martin & Cowles deliver the terrifying new reality with phenomenal art. This series continues to move boundaries on creativity & style in the Bat Mythos. Read Full Review

  • 10
    But Why Tho? - William Tucker Sep 10, 2025

    Absolute Batman Issue 12 is multiple origin stories in one. It's mesmerizing, morbid and meticulous. Read Full Review

  • 9.7
    KPB Comics - Aun Haider Sep 10, 2025

    Absolute Batman #12 is the darkest chapter yet, a brutal reshaping of Bruce's rogues into something far more personal and tragic. It's not an easy read, but it's one of the most effective. Snyder and Dragotta are working in perfect sync, delivering a story that redefines what this series can be. Read Full Review

  • 9.5
    The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally Sep 10, 2025

    Dragotta delivers dark, stunning and visceral art throughout the issue. The visual depictions of what happened to Bruces friends is haunting and I loved every moment. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    AIPT - David Brooke Sep 10, 2025

    Absolute Batman #12 is one of the boldest twists on Batman's mythos in years, reshaping his bond with Penguin, Riddler, and Two-Face into something more tragic and personal than ever before. With Snyder and Dragotta firing on all cylinders, this chapter leaves Bruce and readers haunted by guilt, regret, and a rogues gallery that feels as much like old friends as foes. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Batman-News - Jackson Luken Sep 10, 2025

    Absolute Batman #12 is easily the darkest issue of the series so far. It holds nothing back as it lays bare the atrocities that Bane has inflicted on all of Bruce's closest friends. Their physical pain and mutilation is matched only by the psychological trauma that comes with it, all meticulously detailed by Nick Dragotta's gruesome art. It's a horrifically captivating story, but one you might not feel happy reading. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez Sep 10, 2025

    Absolute Batman #12 does an incredible job at showing the ramifications of Bruce Wayne's actions as the Dark Knight. Those ramifications coming in the form of his inner circles tragic fate is heartbreaking. What this does for the future of series creates even greater intrigue for what Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta have planned from here. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Weird Science - Gabe Hernandez Sep 10, 2025

    Absolute Batman #12 is a bruiser: dark, sharp, packed with venom, and proud of it. Snyder's writing punches above its weight, and Dragotta's art looks ready for a hospital visit itself. If Gotham is a pressure cooker, this issue cranks the heat to boiling, daring readers to stick around for the inevitable burn. Read Full Review

  • 10
    fthissite Sep 11, 2025

    F'n banger.

  • 10
    Linkush Sep 10, 2025

    Holy shit this series is dark and brutal!

    This issue is basically the origin story of the absolute version of some of Batman’s most iconic villain and goddamn I was NOT ready for how messed up it is.

    The way Snyder builds Bane as this dark unstoppable force really makes you want to see Batman finally DESTROY him. I seriously can’t wait for their showdown, I’m sure it will be one for the ages.

    Without a doubt the best thing in comic books right now (along with Ultimate Spider-Man).

  • 10
    jess212 Sep 10, 2025

    This is one of the darkest comics I have ever read. I have no idea how this will all play out and, I am just hoping that we start seeing some light at the end of this tunnel. Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta deliver a Batman unlike any other. Absolute Batman 12 crushes Bruce in new ways and somehow the worst is yet to be revealed.

  • 10
    Afre Sep 10, 2025

    I'm speechless.

    + LikeComments (1)
  • 10
    motorik Sep 10, 2025

    Perfection.

    This is one of the best comics I have read.

    This should have won the Eisner. Perhaps though, it's too graphic?

    I am genuinely blown away by this. This is without question, the best super hero comic book on the shelves today.

    Every month is a genuine treat.

    Ha. One day, I look forward to owning the Absolute "Absolute Batman."

    + LikeComments (4)
  • 8.5
    BatSledge Sep 10, 2025

    While I didn’t enjoy it quite as much as the previous three chapters, this dark and haunting installment finds a new and even more sinister way for Bane to break the Batman. Tragic new origins for his Absolute Rogues Gallery, not to mention a ticking time bomb inside the Dark Knight himself, all courtesy of Snyder and Dragotta! Loved the last page surprise as well.

  • 8.5
    HuckEverlasting Sep 10, 2025

    Great issue that builds a lot of excitement for the future of this iteration of Batman's rogues gallery. Felt like it tried to do too much with one issue though, three origin stories is a lot and the flashback storyline with Selina and Bruce was a little out of place.

  • 8.5
    George Sep 10, 2025

    I preferred last issue. It also seemed like a page was missing between the Harvey dent pages and the riddler pages.

    + LikeComments (1)
  • 4.0
    flodid Sep 11, 2025

    Well that's it for me, guess I'm dropping this title.
    Scott Synder is moving like a bulldozer, rewriting Batman like a horror show. And yes, there is supposed to be some reinvention with the absolute titles but to me he goes way too far...and nowhere interesting. I was curious about what he would make of Batman's rogue gallery and now that I've seen their treatment without any ounce of finesse, thanks but no thanks. It's a shame because I was quite into Nick Dragotta's art.
    The worst Batman story along with Hush#2 nowadays, by a long mile...

    + LikeComments (1)
  • 3.5
    orbisstelassis Sep 11, 2025

    The iffy racial politics of Waylon being turned into Croc just to make Bruce sad was problematic, but having most of the bigger Batman rogues' origins default into "Bane punched them very hard to make Bruce sad and now they all hate Bruce" is just plain stupid.

    Congratulations to Dragotta for making it look pretty, at least.

  • 10
    StrandedGecko54 Sep 12, 2025

  • 10
    Tolusze Sep 10, 2025

  • 10
    mokakoni__ Sep 10, 2025

  • 10
    Jason The Dude Sep 10, 2025

  • 10
    aleyuma Sep 10, 2025

  • 9.5
    jpablojr Sep 12, 2025

  • 9.5
    Outerflame Sep 11, 2025

  • 9.5
    McLovin Sep 10, 2025

  • 9.0
    Quandaryman Sep 13, 2025

  • 8.5
    Matsuro Sep 12, 2025

  • 8.5
    Silver Rocket Sep 11, 2025

  • 8.0
    DabidK Sep 12, 2025

  • 8.0
    MaxOfSteel616 Sep 11, 2025

  • 7.0
    ZachPort123 Sep 10, 2025

  • 2.0
    Maud Benjamin Sep 11, 2025

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