/4.webp)
/6.webp)
/5.webp "Absolute Batman #5")
Loved the book as well, I'll be featuring your review on my next episode of Lunchbreak reviews!
Absolute Batman #5
| Writer | Scott Snyder |
| Artist | Nick Dragotta |
| Cover Price | $4.99 |
WILL THE PARTY END HERE FOR ABSOLUTE BATMAN? With his friends lives at stake, will a broken, beaten, and ultimately defeated Bruce Wayne finally compromise and give up both himself and his morals to Black Mask? Or does he have something even BIGGER than himself to help? And what does this have to do with Mayor James Gordon and his relationship with a young Bruce Wayne? All this and more in the penultimate issue to the first arc of ABSOLUTE BATMAN!
CRITIC REVIEWS
Back to Top-
10
Get Your Comic On - Neil Vagg
Feb 12, 2025Absolute Batman #5 is the most brutal chapter yet. Snyder and Dragotta put Bruce through the wringer as he goes up against Black Mask's army across the city. The scale of the challenge ahead of him is skilfully laid out by Snyder and beautifully rendered by Dragotta and Frank Martin. As penultimate chapters go this is edge of your seat stuff. Read Full Review
-
10
Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield
Feb 12, 2025Every issue of this book continues to raise the bar from one of the best creative teams in comics. Read Full Review
-
10
But Why Tho? - William Tucker
Feb 12, 2025Despite the extreme violence in Absolute Batman Issue 5, you cant look away. Each page turn brings a new depiction of viscera, leaving jaws on the floor. Its less technology and more purely physical as a fight for survival erupts. Read Full Review
-
10
The Batman Universe - BJ Shea
Feb 15, 2025Looking forward to issue 6 and if Alfred returns to Bruce and how Gordon and Martha escape the Party Animals. Read Full Review
-
10
KPB Comics - Aun Haider
Mar 23, 2025Absolute Batman #5 delivers a visceral and emotionally charged experience, showcasing Batman's brutal struggle against Black Mask as Gotham descends into chaos. The issue's influential art and high-stakes narrative amplify the tension, making Batman's moral dilemmas and physical defeats truly resonate. Read Full Review
-
9.8
Nerd Initiative - Matthew Roth
Feb 12, 2025Matt: Grade 10/10! Absolute Batman #5 is the Empire Strikes Back of DC's All-In series so far. Bruce is broken, beaten, and alone as this issue ends on a massive cliffhanger. I'm truly left in awe of what the team has done in this issue. Read Full Review
-
9.5
Comic Watch - Dustin Gebel
Feb 12, 2025With Dragottas return, those critiques are batted to the side as stunning action and pathos are rendered through two distinct approaches to composition. When bolstered by Martins gripping and ethereal coloring choices, the artwork elevates the book into the upper tier of modern Batman stories. As the book moves into the finale of its debut arc, the question is not if Snyder will stick the landing, but what does that landing signal for the path forward for the Absolute Universe, which is still living in the shadows created by Darkseid. Read Full Review
-
9.5
Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles
Feb 17, 2025Absolute Batman #5 offered plenty of unexpected events with some strong character work from Snyder on Batman, Alfred and Black Mask. This opening arc has been a lot of fun teasing all the various possibilities of what could be in store for this series in the months and years to come. Read Full Review
-
9.4
SciFiPulse - Ian Cullen
Feb 21, 2025OverallThis penultimate issue sees Batman face off against Black Mask for the first time and does a fantastic job of setting the stage for next month's finale. I really enjoyed the drama of Roman's speech, especially the way his story about killing pigs at a slaughterhouse was juxtaposed with his critique of the system. It's a powerful moment that builds up to his massive offer of wealth to Gotham's people. The real question iswill the city take the bait? Read Full Review
-
9.0
AIPT - Marvel Maximus
Feb 12, 2025Absolute Batman #5 is another home run for Scott Snyder and co. It's shocking, teeth-clenching, amazing to look at, and above all else, a good time. However, it wouldn't hurt to utilize the title's premise more by differentiating it from regular Batman stories looking at other aspects of the character behind his mask and muscles. Read Full Review
-
9.0
Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez
Feb 13, 2025More than any issue of this series thus far Absolute Batman #5 makes it clear what Bruce Wayne's vision as the Dark Knight is. Even the core of what makes Batman is still here with the Absolute Universe counterpart, this Bruce has a vision for how he will go about his superhero journey. Read Full Review
-
9.0
Dark Knight News - Bryant Lucas
Feb 18, 2025Absolute Batman #5 is a powerhouse issue that blends philosophy with fists. Snyder and Dragotta deliver a visually stunning, narratively compelling chapter that challenges Batman's role in Gotham while ramping up the stakes. The Dark Knight may have made his boldest statement yet, but the cost is higher than ever. Read Full Review
-
8.9
Graphic Policy - Logan Dalton
Feb 16, 2025This is definitely a have your cake and eat it too kind of comic books featuring great commentary on our billionaire-dominated, last gasps of capitalism of society as well as brutal, yet intimate (I love the tiny panels Dragotta uses!) Read Full Review
-
8.8
The Comicbook Dispatch - Dispatchdcu
Feb 12, 2025Absolute Batman #5 is a gripping and suspenseful chapter in this dark and gritty saga. It leaves readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see how Batman will escape this seemingly insurmountable obstacle. Read Full Review
-
8.5
Weird Science - Gabe Hernandez
Feb 12, 2025Absolute Batman #5may or may not be a banger issue, depending on your point of view. Scott Snyder's script draws you into a roller-coaster of tension and anticipation, and Nick Dragotta's return to art duties is a surprisingly brutal return to form. That said, Snyder's tale of woe builds up more than it pays off, so readers may feel unsatisfied by the ending.8.5/10 Read Full Review
-
8.0
Batman-News - Jackson Luken
Feb 12, 2025Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta continue to deliver a spectacularly brutal Batman that's a joy to watch. Black Mask serves as his terrifying mirror image, a symbol to the people of Gotham to give up on any semblance of order and simply revel in its destruction instead. While the series' excess might not be for everyone, it gleefully embraces its extreme melodrama. Read Full Review
-
8.0
Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills
Feb 15, 2025Another action-packed issue also does a solid job of laying out the important themes that form the foundation for this story. Read Full Review
-
8.0
DC Comics News - Steven Brown
Jul 29, 2025Absolute Batman #5 is a good read, but I'm really waiting for the partnership between Gordon and Batman. With that being said, I'd like to remind you that Bruce's relationship with Alfred isn't all that great either, so I don't have much hope for a successful partnership between Batman and Gordon, but maybe Snyder will prove me wrong. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS
Back to Top-
10
This Batman run is the best we've had since Scott was writing the main series. Longterm, I'd love this Batman to visit the mainline Batman. Their difference in method and morality would make for an interesting quandary to explore. How do we take out the bad guys? With intellect or force? They are both Batman. Which Batman philosophy saves most lives?
+ Like • Comment• Likes (2) -
9.5
Every issues of this book has been Batman AF! This Batman is on a mission, and good to see. It's violent, and story driven. I prefer the art of Dragotta over issue 4. No spoilers, because you need to go to your local comic store and purchase all 5 of the issues. I'm very much looking forward to where this is going to go next! I'll be covering several reviews on my podcast Lunchbreak Reviews, as always reach out if you want to be a guest!
-
9.5
This issue defines the meaning behind the series. Its not about the money spidah-man
-
9.0
You know. Although Absolute Wonder Woman is the best, and Absolute Superman is my favorite. Batman used to be my favorite hero, and most of that aws because of Scott Snyder. I can easily say that Absolute Batman is the coolest of the bunch, and I love the world-building and Nick Dragotta's art. This series go so f*cking HARD and I love it.
+ Like • Comments (2)• Likes (1) -
9.0
This latest chapter sizzles in the buildup to the finale. Batman dishes out amazing brutality and subsequently gets a brutal, violent beat down in return, all while the terrifying Black Mask ups the stakes for control of the city. This story hasn't missed a beat since it started and is a pure adrenaline rush!
-
9.0
AB is my least favorite absolute comic so far. Even so, Dragotta's art alone would be enough to justify the purchase. Snyder's script is intriguing but I not sold on black mask. Absolute Alfred is good but I don't love his dynamic with AB. That being said, I am nitpicking, the comic is excellent and highly recommended
-
9.0
Best issue yet, really vamps up the stakes.
-
8.5
There are still things about the setup that I don't like. But The last two issues have been better for me. This issue specifically reminds me of Snyders Black Mirror story.
-
8.5
Still pretty interesting as we near the end of the first arc. I'm assuming that was Barbara Gordon that briefly encountered Bruce as he was going under the city, so I'm interested to see how Snyder & Dragotta follow up on that. Otherwise, just good stuff. This is still my least favorite of the current trio of Absolute books, but that's really saying something about the other two when I'm scoring this as high as I am.
-
8.0
So... Bruce's whole life as a child was basically one big foreshadow scene after another. Yet again, we get a scene with a familiar name in Dr. Thompkins, where Bruce's bat future is painted for him in a sense. I mean how was that kid not going to be obsessed with Bats? I had no doubts that Bruce was going to turn down Roman's deal. But I had to see what the outcome of that choice would be. Not only Bruce wasn't prepared to take on the Party Animals alone, they practically tortured him. Almost killed him even. Yes he got a few good licks in there, but there were just to many of them. I appreciate how cynical and practical Absolute Alfred is. He was even happy that Bruce was making a deal with Roman. Surrender the city to the Party Animals t more
-
7.0
Art: 3.5/5 Story: 3.5/5 Total: 7/10
-
7.0
My favorite part is the fat-signal. This is getting ridiculous. I did like the action though.
-
6.0
I have really struggled with folloiwng this redefinition of Batman's origin. But it has been interesting, and I am mildly surprised to say. Unfortunately, this issue was just basically violence, violence, violence, and the villain has no message, no purpose other than chaos. The reality is that there ARE institutional criminals. LOTS of them. But the Black Mask idea that the solution is murdering random people and encouraging others to become killers is disconnected from all morals and values. We don't see the necessary balance from the Batman here. Just "action." Now in horror stories there is no need for balance, but in stories involving heroism, that balance is needed. I have had a really hard time following and paying for DC Comics wit more
-
10
-
10
-
10
-
10
-
10
-
10
-
10
-
9.5
-
9.5
-
9.5
-
9.5
-
9.5
-
9.5
-
9.5
-
9.5
-
9.5
-
9.5
-
9.5
-
9.0
-
9.0
-
9.0
-
9.0
-
9.0
-
9.0
-
9.0
-
9.0
-
9.0
-
8.5
-
8.5
-
8.5
-
8.5
-
8.5
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
8.0
-
7.5
-
7.5
-
7.0
-
7.0
-
7.0
-
7.0
-
6.5
2025 In Review:
