Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Absolute Batman #19
For nearly 87 years, Batman has had one of the most well-known superhero origin stories of all time. Likewise, the tragic murders of Thomas Wayne and Martha Wayne in Crime Alley have largely been portrayed as a random act of violence. However, there have also been depictions that have teased a greater design behind the Wayne murders (notable on-screen examples include The Dark Knight trilogy and Matt Reeves’ The Batman).
Now, the Absolute Universe is following suit by teasing one of the craziest twists to Batman’s origins we’ve ever seen. In the newly released Absolute Batman #19 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, Bruce Wayne meets with family friend and former mayor Jim Gordon, who reveals something massively game-changing if true, affecting not only Batman’s past, but also his present and future.
Following this new issue, there’s now some very strong evidence that Bruce Wayne’s dark and tragic origins as Absolute Batman may not have been random at all.
Absolute Batman Was Just Given “The Project: Batman” Files
Among other major reveals, like the debuts of Absolute Batman’s new Batmobile, Absolute Scarecrow, and the Absolute Robins, Absolute Batman #19 introduces the mysterious Project: Batman files, uncovered while Jim Gordon was investigating the recent disappearance of Martha Wayne (who’s still alive in this alternate DC Universe).
While readers aren’t given the full picture before a paranoia-filled Gordon tries burning the files, we do see some keywords like “zoo” and “manipulated.” As seen in the very first issues of Absolute Batman, Bruce’s father was killed in a mass shooting during a field trip to the Gotham City Zoo, a trip Bruce himself had won in a school contest.
As such, the implication is that the entire trip and Thomas Wayne’s death might have been orchestrated to directly result in Bruce’s transformation into Batman later in life. Unfortunately, Bruce isn’t able to question Jim further, as Gordon throws himself off the roof in his extreme fear and paranoia, the result of the newly introduced Absolute Scarecrow, who’s shown watching from a nearby rooftop.
While there’s clearly more for Bruce to learn and uncover about these mysterious files, one does have to wonder how genuine they actually are.
Is Absolute Batman’s Origins Twist Legit (Or Just An Elaborate Manipulation)?
It feels like there are two major possibilities when it comes to this new Batman origin twist.
The first is that it’s all true, and that Bruce Wayne was deliberately shaped into Batman as part of some grander design in the works. Perhaps it’s all part of the design of this universe’s version of the Court of Owls, which the still-living Martha Wayne is a part of. Perhaps Martha has been gradually grooming and guiding her son to become the protector this darker DC Universe desperately needs?
Additionally, it’s just as possible that Absolute Joker is behind Batman’s origins. After all, it’s already been established that the long-lived billionaire built his extreme fortune by orchestrating and playing both sides of various conflicts throughout history. Jack Grimm V could easily be the mastermind behind Project: Batman, assuming it is indeed real.
Likewise, Scott Snyder recently responded to readers who pointed out Absolute Batman #4’s “Grinning Man” poster at the zoo the day Thomas died, suggesting that the setup for Joker being behind Batman’s origins in this universe has been there the entire time.
On the other side of the coin, it’s also possible that this is all just an elaborate ruse. After all, this new version of Scarecrow clearly thrives on fear and psychological warfare, somehow pushing his victims into harming others as well as themselves. Perhaps Project: Batman is a false narrative meant to destabilize and break Batman psychologically? It’s also possible that Absolute Joker and Scarecrow are working together.
Whether it’s proven to be legit or fabricated, the effect will likely be the same, as Batman will no doubt be calling his very purpose into question going forward. As such, the one certain thing is that future issues of Absolute Batman are about to get all kinds of intense.
Absolute Batman #19 is on sale now from DC Comics.
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Bob Kane, Bill Finger
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Batman: The Brave and the Bold
