Absolute Batman #7

As a fan of body horror (and horror in general) it has to be five stars for Absolute Batman #6. Furthering the story of Ark M, Bruce and several other key elements, Scott Snyder is showing us more of this world through versatile and dynamic storytelling. Throw in guest artist Marcos Martn's take on Mr. Freeze and this is another home run for Absolute Batman. Read Full Review

It's fascinating to see this alternate version of how these dark enemies of his could have become his friends and it's a needed counterbalance to just how bleak the rest of the world is. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman #7 was a good read. Snyder gave us a slightly different origin story for Victor here and I loved it. However, I didn't notice a suit in this issue, and I've grown accustomed to seeing many variations of the freeze technology and suit over the years, so I can't wait to see how different this particular Mr. Freeze will look in the next few issues. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman #7 is a cold, hard look into the changing veins of Gotham, as the city struggles with the fallout of Black Masks ultimatums. Functioning as a two-partner story with a distinct new villain, the scripting operates in a confident, if slightly repetitive structure. In all other aspects of the book, a level of experimentation and reinvention guides the technical approaches to the Mr. Freeze introduction and Batman experience. The writing is the same cloth as The Zoo, putting the experimental aspect on rocky territory. Overall, Absolute Batman #7 is a well-told story with gorgeous art and lush, vibrant color choices that create the foundation for a stunning villain reinvention. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman #7 continues to enchant with gorgeous art and tightly paced intrigue. It sets up an all-new Mr. Freeze with a moody backstory and chilling design. This time around, a new team on art stops by with equally extraordinary talent, deliberate in paneling and colors but never too cold for comfort. This is the type of collaboration that comics are made for. Read Full Review

The re-introduction of a classic rogue pushes Batman into a horrific vision with this chapter. Snyder leans heavy into a frightening take with the writing. Martn & Vicente presents a cleaner, yet dark perspective on his latest drama with the art. Brace for quite the terrifying tale unfolding now. Read Full Review

A clever new origin story for the iconic Mr. Freeze, with some truly chilling backstory. I liked that we got to see Bruce held accountable by his friends for lying about his secret identity, and I'm looking forward to seeing how that all plays out alongside where the rest of the story goes. The link between Ark M, V Corp, and Fries' potential connection to the Joker looks like it could make for an interesting twist when more is revealed in part two. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman Issue 7 continues to twist familiar tales. Its impossible to know what will come next because these characters are breaking a mold many have been stuck in. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman #7 trades high-octane action for icy horror and noir-flavored mystery. It's a shift in tone, but it works. The art sings, the atmosphere creeps under your skin, and Snyder gives us just enough to want more. Mr. Freeze's debut is brief but chilling. Consider us frozen in anticipation. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman 7 is a welcome change of pace from the previous arc and an encouraging start to this new spin on one of Batman's deadliest enemies. Read Full Review

There is so much that can be said about what Absolute Batman #7 accomplished. The world building by Scott Snyder continues to impress. Read Full Review

Overall, Absolute Batman #7 is a compelling and visually striking issue that promises a significant and potentially tragic reimagining of Mr. Freeze's origins. The combination of Snyder's masterful storytelling and Martn's exceptional artwork makes this a must-read for fans of Batman and compelling character-driven narratives. The connection to Ark M adds a layer of intrigue that will undoubtedly have significant ramifications for the Absolute Batman series as a whole. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman #7is one of the strongest issues in the series showcasing Bruce's investigation skills and presenting a horrific twist on a familiar Batman villain. Scott Snyder's script tones down the over-the-top theatrics to present a gritty detective story, and Marcos Martn's art is solid, albeit not complimentary to the series' main artist, Nick Dragotta. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman #7 is a shift from the typical action of the book to tell a horror story, with a fantastic reinvention of Mr. Freeze. Read Full Review

This new arc takes a slower approach to Batman, as he investigates the conspiracies surrounding a Gotham now under martial law. The mystery slowly turns to horror when the gruesome realities of what's happening to the victims of the new “Ark M” project come to light. Guest artist Marcos Martn and colorist Muntsa Vicente's vibrant yet disturbing visual style bring this unsettling atmosphere to life. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman #7 is a solid start that introduces us to some new twists on classic characters and the fallout of the previous story arc. It definitely has a different feel and vibe but it's a welcome one that shows that the series doesn't have to be balls to the wall exaggeration with every issue. There's a horror tinge to this that could give us a very interesting take on things we've become familiar with. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman settles nicely into its second story and ongoing status with new takes on classic characters and a fill-in artist that is more than up to the job. Read Full Review

This issue is a slow freeze to the heart gripping, grotesque, and gorgeously crafted. Don't let it slip by. Read Full Review

Snyder's second arc is off to a strong start. Again he sets up character moments that will paid off down the line such as Bruce and his friends and their anger towards him being Batman. Read Full Review

Kenrwiill

Apr 09, 2025

A perfect start to an all new story, the art the dialogue everything about this series just works. My only complaint is I wish it were longer, can't wait for the next issue.

motorik

Apr 09, 2025

A 10 for those that cannot get their brains around the fact this is a different Batman. If you want normal Batman and get upset at the notion of a variant, please - spare us your redundant commentary and just don't read it. This is the perfect comic for 2025. A working class Batman, he fights for the people and stands up to the rich. A mirror pointed at today's society. The rich getting richer, the poor poorer. A gross over simplification but you know the deal. He is defined, not by his wealth and social status, but by his will to help others "Oh but that's too heavy handed and political! My conservative mind can't handle social commentary because said commentary doesn't align with my beliefs! I can't enjoy anything that deviates from my core values!" And what next? "Oh, they changed Matches Mallone!" Like that character is so utterly sacred and can't be different. They did Matches dirty!" Give me strength. 'Edgelord Batman'. Bloody hell, is this a Fox News message board? "Oh everything he says is so extreme and on the nose!" Conservative speak for "I get upset when politics I don't agree with are espoused." Despite the cold hard fact that superheroes are an inherently liberal ideal. "Ohhh,too much dialogue! Not enough action!" If it was the other way about, they'd say there wasn't enough dialogue - and point out that it's needed as it's a new universe. This is a new Batman universe and it is still being defined. As such, exposition is required. Is this not obvious? I'd understand the criticism if it was Tom King levels of exposition, this is literally nowhere near that. Scott Snyders supposed 'shortcomings' have netted him the no 1 comic book in the industry. This series has people excited about comics again. But no - forget that and let's just go back to the same formula we've seen a million times. Let's not try to evolve or innovate. more

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• daspidaboy
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daspidaboy - Apr 9, 2025

your comment on people criticizing this exposition compared to Tom King's Batman is so spot-on. For me, that exposition was clunky and repetitive compared to Scott Snyder. At least Scott Snyder's exposition for Absolute Batman offers some character development

motorik - Apr 10, 2025

Hello my friend, appreciate your comment. Tom King often gets in his own way by intellectualising and by being to verbose. He can sometimes be great though. His Vision comic with Marvel was beautiful. His Batman was mostly very poor but there was the odd thing in there that was succinct and inspiring.

Avanvolk - Jul 26, 2025

Just letting you know in case you weren't aware, you marked this as 'read' but didn't give it a '10'! Not sure if that was intentional or not, but just giving you a heads up!

motorik - Jul 26, 2025

Ah, mate - you are a good bloke. Thank you for letting me know. Apologies if my ratings frustrate, I'm just utterly in love with this comic run. Thanks again mate! You rock.

Avanvolk - Jul 26, 2025

No worries! Your ratings don't frustrate whatsoever! I just figured you'd want your rating to count against this issue's overall rating :)

NerdDadBrad

Apr 09, 2025

Absolute Batman is my current favorite Batman. I love the newness of it. I like how it's just Batman, and people in the Batman world, and they really aren't what you think for the most part. Absolute Batman #7 is the start of a 2-issue Mr. Freeze story, and I'm 100% down. Scott Snyder is telling a great story, that keeps me hooked. The Art is great as well. Everything flows fantastically in the book. There are a few panels that really shine, especially that Mr. Freeze revel!!!! Check out episodes of my podcast, Lunchbreak Reviews. I cover comics, tv, and movies, go over critic & user reviews, then put it through the Lunchbreak point system!

jess212

Apr 09, 2025

Things cool off after the thrill ride that was the zoo. As Scott Snyder returns to his roots and Marcos does a great job of creating the authoritarian visage of Gotham.

George

Apr 18, 2025

They had me at Marcos Martin. Top tier artist. Story is good too. I still don’t like the childhood friend group approach with the rogues, but it is what it is.

daspidaboy

Apr 09, 2025

Personally, this was the weakest issue of this series. But the fact that this is an 8 out of 10? That means this series has been high quality. I like the twist of Mister Freeze new origin, and how Batman is a working class. The art isn't as strong as Nick Dragotta, but it still works. Re-reading this issue makes me appreciative of it. I really like how Scott Snyder's writing for Absolute Batman is very different from his work New 52 Batman. This Batman's personality is so different, yet it's similar to Prime Batman on how Absolute Batman is defined by his will to help people in need and not willing to stand by and watch the rich take advantage of the poor. Overall, what I like about this Absolute Universe is that it still feels very familia r, but it's also evolving and trying to push the comic book boundaries. And I think I mentioned this, but Scott Snyder's exposition here works a lot better. Trust me, after reading his run on Justice League and Dark Night Metal, this is more tame and easier to understand compared to those series. Overall, Absolute Batman may not be my favorite out of the Absolute/Ultimate series. But it's consistently been the series that I am really hyped and excited to read every month. Yes, I am more hyped and interested to read this more than Absolute Superman/Ultimate Spider-Man. more

Screaming Enigma

Apr 15, 2025

My least favorite issue so far, but still a good one nonetheless. Martín does a better fill-in job here than Gabriel Walta did back in Issue #4, which was nice. I'm really looking forward to more of this version of Mr. Freeze. Furthermore, hopefully we get Man-Bat, Poison Ivy, and Hugo Strange in the near future after they were referenced here.

Chris Y

Oct 11, 2025

Although I'm not sure Marcos Martin is right for this title, I found the issue much more consistent regarding the quality of the art.

Kenjamin

May 07, 2025

Art: 3.5/5 Story: 3.5/5 Total: 7/10

YEARofTheCollector

May 30, 2025

Here we go with the second arch of this series. From the first page, the thing that stands the most is the coloring. Munsta Vicente, the colorist of this issue, made a bold decision by giving Victor Fries Jr. a pastel color palette. I noticed the pastel colors in the first scene, then throughout the scenery of Gotham, especifically because of the way the characters were mostly black shades. But no matter the live colors, this issues reads as a horror book. Everything is very ominous, the city is on curfew. There's a snow storm out of nowhere. Bruce meets up with his friends, the batcrew if you will, to mourn their childhood friend Matches Malone. As soon as that is out of the way, the crew wants to confront Bruce about his Batman alt er ego and he refuses to even discuss it with them. They all realized how much Bruce leaned on them to prepare himself for his caped crusade, Not only they're concerned for his well being, they refuse to sit idly by while their friend is risking his life for the people of Gotham, which includes them also. But again, with the ominous, Bruce refused to let them in and actively pushed them away from his crusade. He doesn't want anyone involved. Especially after what happened to Matches. I will spoil that because is quite the highlight of this book, and I kinda of have to talk about it. Matches was helping Bruce infiltrate a new construction site on a small island off the coast of Gotham. A new detention facility of sorts was being built there named Ark M, while every other project had been put on hold. Maches managed to infiltrate before passing on any info to Bruce and this is what cost him his life, probably. The was Matches died, quite literally turned the up notch on the horror. The image of this man dying in horrible pain while his skin looked like it was being eaten from the inside was not on my bingo card for DC Comics this week. Finally, Bruce finds a connection between Matches and one Victor Fries so he decided to visit his office on Gotham. That's when we circle back to the scenes from the first page and we get the complete twist for the Mr. Freeze character in the Absolute Universe. It turns out, the Fries building was drawing massive amounts of power because it was keeping this huge block of ice refrigerated. Basically, a bunch of extinct animals were being kept frozen, animals found and collected by Dr. Fries and his wife, who are also frozen. The man running this building was Victor Fries Jr., and he went into explaining the why his parents are frozen like that. Long story short, he used to explore and search for fossils and other kind of things in the ice. They believed the ice kept thing intact until someone could restored them, and in that same way the created this V-Core technology to freeze people who were terminally ill with the hopes that whenever technology and medicine found a way to cure their illness, they would be thawed out from the ice and be cured free to resume their lives. This wasn't necessarily the fantasies of some fringe wealthy people who wanted to live forever. This methodology was tried and true already, with Victor Jr. being the one patient to survive the ice and live to tell the tale. But there lies the problem, just as foretold by Victor Fries Sr., the ice kept more life inside than a rain forest, they had no idea what they were bringing back to life from the ice age. more

myconius

Apr 09, 2025

While I wasn't fully sold on this new take on Batman, there was still something there that intrigued me. As edge-lord and off-character as this was to Batman and lore, the art style and action were definitely a draw. Nick Dragotta's art made it well worth the price of admission! That being said, issue #4 being the first absence of Dragotta removed what little entertainment I had been getting from this series. This issue, even MORE SO! Nothing against the artist of issues #4 or #7, but Scott Snyder really NEEDS a top tier artist to make up for his shortcomings. As action packed as Issue 1 was, the series immediately started to become very heavy-handed with exposition and (on-the-nose) writing. This issue is extremely guilty of both. I' m not sure if there was any part of this story that I actually liked? It was just talking, talking and MORE talking!!! I'll have to try to give this another read. But honestly, I am NOT looking forward to it. Also, cannot say I'm thrilled with what Snyder did to Matches Malone either. I can see for this universe, simply making him his own character instead of an alias. But to force in a new childhood friend of "The Gang" this late in the game, with not even so much as a single mention in any of the previous issues.... it's lazy and it's cheap. more

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daspidaboy - Apr 9, 2025

you do know that if you don't like this series..... you can just drop it right? Like, I personally gave up on Amazing Spider-Man because those series are not for me, and I am much happier. There's really no point in hate-reading if it is just going to make you more mad, depressed, and pessimistic.

myconius - Apr 10, 2025 (edited)

Despidadboy - i’m gonna be perfectly honest. As much as I was off putt by issue on at first, they were things about it that I did like. The next few issues had decent action. I think that’s the thing with Scott Snyder. He’s good at creating a hook, but sometimes his plot meander. At least that’s how it was for me with his new 52 Batman run. I’m intrigued to see what he’s going to do with the joker. But I feel like the series is starting to become a little padded.

myconius - Apr 10, 2025

I’d actually stop buying single dishes for a good long while. Occasionally, I would buy the digital trades when they go on sale for cheap. The recent Batman and Robin comic series pulled me back in. But I liked the run a lot better on the Joshua Williamson. That’s not to say that the new creative team is bad. But I’m not as preferable to them. I’m just hoping that absolute Batman starts picking up again with the kinetic action.

TSMack

Apr 24, 2025

(Cover Date: June, 2025)