Summary

• The ashcan edition of Absolute Batman by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta reveals new weapons and gadgets.
• Batman's weaponized bat ears act as both Batarangs and knives in the Absolute Universe.
• Absolute Batman's Bat-symbol is also a weapon, doubling as a hammer or ax for combat.

One of the most exciting things in comics right now is the announcement of DC's brand new Absolute Universe, which includes a brand-new version of San Diego Comic-Con, readers have their first look at the gadgets this brand-new Batman will be using, and they're surprisingly brutal.

In an ashcan edition of Absolute Batman by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta available exclusively at San Diego Comic-Con, readers can get a glimpse of the Absolute Universe version of Batman brutally taking down a group of criminals, as shared in an bulletproof cape to avoid their gunshots, as well as a few other brutal tricks.

One of the most surprising things this Batman does is reveal that the ears of his cowl are actually blades he can pull out and use against criminals. These weaponized bat ears are shown being used as both the iconic Batarangs and also potentially as knives, as they're far larger than the Batarangs fans are used to.

Even Batman's Symbol Is a Weapon in the Absolute Universe

Image from the Absolute Batman Ashcan Edition, Available at SDCC

By far the most surprising reveal in the Absolute Batman ashcan is the fact that even his Bat-symbol can be used as a weapon, as shared by Screen Rant's on-the-ground reporter. Character design images show that Batman is capable of removing his Bat symbol and using it as a large hammer or ax. Considering that Absolute Batman is a city engineer, he's used to heavy work and construction, which makes this new hammer a perfect weapon for him. All of these weapons are fantastic, and while fans have seen them before, they've never seen a Batman who uses all of them at once.

The Bat-symbol hammer that Absolute Batman uses is also remarkably similar to when Bane turned Batman's symbol into a weapon.

Readers have seen all of these gadgets in different stories before, but this is the first time a single Batman has used them all at once. During the events of Batman and Robin #22 by Peter J. Tomasi, Patrick Gleason, Mick Gray, Keith Champagne, Tom Nguyen, Alex Sinclair, and Pat Brosseau, Batman can fire the ears of his cowl like short-ranged bladed projectiles. This strategy has proven remarkably effective in the past, as people pretty much never expect to be shot by Batman's ears. The Bat-symbol hammer that Absolute Batman uses is also remarkably similar to when Bane turned Batman's symbol into a weapon. While Bane didn't use it as a hammer, he was capable of pulling it off his chest and using it as a weapon.

Bane Once Used Batman's Symbol in a Very Similar Way

Page from Forever Evil: Arkham War #3 by Peter J. Tomasi, Scot Eaton, Jaime Mendoza, Allen Martinez, Andrew Dalhouse, and Travis Lanham

The Absolute Universe has been reported to be a much darker and far more hopeless place than regular DC continuity, and it seems that Batman has responded to this by becoming far more dark and brutal. Batman has transformed his iconic Bat-symbol into a literal weapon that he presumably uses against the more durable criminals that Gotham City has to offer. He also seems far more willing to use his bladed bat ears to take down enemies. All of this shows that the Absolute Batman is perhaps the physically strongest version of the character so far, and he's willing to use any weapon he needs to save his city.

Absolute Batman #1 is available October 9th, 2024 from DC Comics!

Source: Comic Book Couples Counseling