Comics have been around for a long time, and as such, established heroes like Bruce Wayne’s Batman, who debuted in 1939’s Detective Comics #27 by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, have seen their history reshuffled through various events. Still, as long and varied as the Dark Knight’s comic history is, it lacks the one thing that could truly connect Batman with Generation Z: a fiery and determined desire for change. Scott Snyder’s Absolute Batman promises this trait in abundance.

DC’s new All In initiative beginning in October 2024 will serve as a jumping-on point for old and new comic fans, with two large universes running side by side: Snyder’s new Absolute Universe, a different take on old heroes, and the Prime Universe, which will see different creative teams tackling the various lines.

Snyder’s new Absolute Batman, with art by Nick Dragotta, will run alongside Chip Zdarsky’s Batman, with art by Jorge Jiménez, as the longtime series begins a new arc. In late August 2024, Snyder appeared at Fan EXPO Canada to discuss his work.

Absolute Batman’s Bruce Wayne Will Fight For A Better World

Absolute Batman Will Feature A Brand New Version of Bruce Wayne

At his Fan EXPO Canada , Snyder explained that part of the characterization for his Absolute Batman’s Bruce Wayne came from the excitement of watching younger generations advocate for a better world than the one being given. Snyder revealed he’s crafted a Batman with that same mindset: an inability to accept that preset systems are unchangeable. Absolute Batman’s Bruce isn’t old and jaded; instead, he’s young and idealistic, with a true belief that the world is not set in stone. Snyder described it best:

. . . What if I could make a Batman that spoke to that? So, what if Batman isn’t a generational billionaire — what if, instead of being the system — the system and order and — and privilege and these things — Batman is chaos? What if Batman is the thing that comes up from the ground and is like a primal force? And something that will not accept that the system is unchangeable? What if he’s the thing that’s like, you know, this fiery, almost demon bat out of hell, that’s like: “No, I’m 20 years old, and I’m huge, and I refuse to accept what you’re putting in front of me?”

Batman has always been hailed as Gotham’s hero, but it’s his faith in Gotham’s systems that leaves him deeply flawed. While Batman has the skills and supplies to deal with Gotham’s worst, Bruce Wayne has always contended with Gotham’s corrupted hierarchy and justice system, leaving criminals in the hands of the GD and Arkham Asylum. Gen Z comic readers know all too well: it's not about contending with a broken system, but demanding better, a topic well suited for superhero stories. Idealism is a hard outlook to find, but it’s one Absolute Batman’s Bruce will champion as he takes on a Gotham brimming with those who’ve lost hope.

A Changemaking Batman Reflects Modern Ideals

Superheroes Have Always Fought For Change, But Changemaking Is New

DC is not unfamiliar with advocating for change: Titans, written by Tom Taylor with art by Nicola Scott, briefly touched on environmental destruction for exploitation as well as ocean pollution; Nightwing, also by Taylor with art by Bruno Redondo, has focused on city reform; DC’s annual Pride anthology, which in June 2024 hit its fourth year, proactively welcomes acceptance into the DC Universe. Absolute Batman’s Bruce being a changemaker, however, hits differently: it’s putting the values of a younger generation directly onto the page.

In 2023, the DC Pride 2022 story "Finding Batman" by Kevin Conroy and J. Bone, won an Eisner Award for Best Short Story.

While DC has always been concerned with world issues, it’s different to have a young person frustrated with the world around them, growing up in an age of change, who wants better and is unafraid to ask for better. For that character to be a 20-year-old, brand-new version of Bruce Wayne — whose publication date (Absolute Batman’s) seats him in Generation Z — is an entirely new look for DC, one that fits perfectly within the goals of DC’s new All In initiative. Absolute Batman is not just a new story for older fans, but a beacon for new ones.

Every version of Batman adds to the character’s mythos, but what Snyder and Dragotta have planned will fully bring the character into the modern age. Absolute Batman might be leading the Absolute Universe into stores, but it's also the headliner of a new frontier of stories, one that aims to connect with a generation of changemakers.

Absolute Batman #1 will be released on October 9 from DC Comics.