The Dark Knight Rises (2012). While many consider Hardy’s performance iconic, one of Bane’s original creators has labeled this version of the character a "fail."

DC recently unveiled its first look at the Absolute Universe’s Bane, featuring a complete design overhaul of the iconic villain on Nick Dragotta’s main cover for Absolute Batman #9. While Bane has always been depicted as exceptionally large, this version takes his size to an extreme, bordering on grotesque.

Despite this dramatic size enhancement, Dragotta has retained key elements that fans associate with the character, including his wrestler-esque mask and the toxic-green tubes of venom protruding from his body. However, one of Bane’s co-creators, Graham Nolan, took to X to share that he’s not only unimpressed with this redesign but also with Christopher Nolan’s portrayal of Bane in The Dark Knight Rises.

Bane Co-Creator Thinks Christopher Nolan’s Bane Is a “Fail!”

Main Cover by Nick Dragotta for Absolute Batman #9 (2025)

The revelation of Graham Nolan’s disappointment with Christopher Nolan’s take on Bane began when the co-creator reposted Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman #9 cover, captioning it, “As the designer/co-creator of Bane… this is a terrible abomination.” Another X then retweeted Graham’s post, asking his thoughts on Christopher Nolan’s version of Bane, to which he simply replied, “👎 Fail!” It’s clear that these two groundbreaking redesigns of the iconic Batman villain have fallen short in the eyes of one of Bane’s original creators. However, Graham didn’t elaborate on what specifically he disliked about either version.

Fans were understandably surprised to learn that Graham wasn’t a fan of the live-action portrayal, given that Tom Hardy’s Bane is widely regarded as a strong adaptation by both critics and audiences. In response to his critique, the same fan asked if there were any versions of Bane that he did approve of, to which Graham responded, “BTAS, Young Justice, Arkham Asylum among others.” This insight is particularly interesting, as it highlights that while he’s critical of major reinterpretations, he still recognizes and appreciates certain versions of the character. Given how beloved these adaptations are, it’s not too surprising that they earned his approval.

Why Doesn’t Graham Nolan Like The Dark Knight Rises’s Bane?

Main Cover by Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira, and Adriano Lucas for Task Force Z #8 (2022)

When comparing Bane’s portrayals in BTAS, Young Justice, and Arkham Asylum to Tom Hardy’s version in The Dark Knight Rises, it becomes clear why Graham Nolan may not be a fan of the live-action adaptation. The Dark Knight Rises drastically modernized Bane, stripping away his Mexican luchador influences and replacing his traditional máscara with a mask that resembles Darth Vader’s breathing apparatus. In contrast, the BTAS, Young Justice, and Arkham Asylum versions retain the classic luchador-inspired design. This departure is likely a key reason why Graham Nolan considers Christopher Nolan’s Bane a failure.

Source: Graham Nolan

• Bane

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  Batman

  Alias

  Bruce Wayne

  FIRST APP

  Detective Comics #27 (1939)

  Created By

  Bob Kane, Bill Finger

  Franchise

  D.C.

  Race

  Human

  First Appearance

  Detective Comics

  One of DC's most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world's leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.

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