Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Batman #4

Batman's millionaire status is a staple of his character, seeing as it allows him to afford the endless supply of vehicles and gadgets he unleashes on a daily basis. Money isn't everything, though, and even Batman should learn to be less dependent on his wealth. Bruce Wayne's riches don't make him Batman, and his Absolute Universe variant has revealed that he's better off without that safety net.

In Absolute Batman #4 by Scott Snyder, Gabriel Hernández Walta, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowle, Bruce sets out on his first proper mission as Batman. He's been investigating the transportation of illegal weapons and has finally located a checkpoint to cease the operation, and he deploys a small, basic gadget to achieve that goal.

While DC's wealthy Batman relies on his expensive technology, Absolute Batman manages to pull off his scheme with nothing but a remote-controlled car, a bottle jack, and his own intellect. This new Batman has proven beyond any doubt that Bruce Wayne doesn't need money to be a hero.

Absolute Batman's First Gadget Proves He's Better Off Without His Millions

In the Absolute Universe, Bruce Wayne Doesn't Need His Wealth

Once Batman deploys his miniature car and activates the bottle jack, the truck he's pursuing is launched upward. This DC's main continuity. Here, Bruce spends a smaller amount to yield a result that's just as effective.

In the Absolute Universe, Bruce is an engineer who works in construction, and that experience has benefited him immensely as Batman. By applying his engineering smarts and thinking outside the box, Batman can build elaborate gadgets despite lacking much money to his name. Without a hefty inheritance to fall back on, Bruce is forced to experiment with the limited resources at his disposal, resulting in creative gadgets such as the car he shows off here. The primary Batman has grown accustomed to elaborate tech, whereas all Absolute Batman requires for his heroic exploits are the essentials, demonstrating his superior ingenuity.

Batman Innovates More Than Ever When He Doesn't Have Wealth to Count On

Bruce Wayne's Working-Class Background Is Its Own Advantage

Absolute Batman is a working-class reinvention of the Dark Knight, which means he doesn't have access to the riches he takes for granted in most continuities. Therefore, he's had to scrap together every tool and gadget he utilizes as Batman rather than having generational wealth or genius allies like modified dump truck equipped with artillery that may overpower the traditional Batmobile.

To see Absolute Batman's massive Batmobile in action, check out Absolute Batman #3, available now from DC Comics!

Batman's gadgets are vast and varied, including a symbol that doubles as an axe and an makeshift Batcave atop rooftops he built. Bruce's career as a civil engineer grants him extensive knowledge of Gotham's layout, and he uses that insight to inform his vigilantism. He knows the buildings are abandoned, so he takes refuge there. This Bruce Wayne may not be a billionaire like his counterpart, but he's definitely more resourceful.

Batman, Take Notes: Absolute Batman's Gadgets Are Even More Impressive Than Yours

DC's Main Bruce Wayne Should Stop Relying on His Riches

In DC's core continuity, Batman is one of the Batmobile to his handy smoke bombs, Batman leverages his wealth as Bruce Wayne to fund his vigilante endeavors. Although his seemingly endless supply of cash gives him limitless possibilities for what he can do, it also limits him by not challenging him enough. Absolute Batman, on the other hand, can pull off feats that are more impressive due to his comparative absence of cash. If the main Batman also relied less on his money and more on his mind, there's no telling what he could accomplish.

Absolute Batman #4 is available now from DC Comics.