DC Comics' new series, Absolute Batman, is full of scenes that goes beyond what fans have come to expect from the Dark Knight. For over half a year, fans have witnessed one of the most determined and brutal Batman variants around and now Absolute Universe mastermind Scott Snyder is opening up about a moment that took DC fans by surprise.

In an interview with what separates his Batman from previous incarnations and gives fans a couple of teases as to what lies ahead for the big and beefy Caped Crusader in the coming years.

Scott Snyder: “Nick showed me the scene and said, ‘This might be too much.’ And I was like, ‘No way, dude. You’re keeping that in.’ That’s exactly what we’re going for — over-the-top, outrageous, and unforgettable. You want those moments where people go, ‘What the hell did I just read?’”

Snyder also talks about creating big moments to surprise readers, like Bruce punting a child in Absolute Batman #6. Snyder its that it started as a joke with artist Nick Dragotta, but that he convinced him to keep it in, arguing that readers respond to shocking moments like that.

Scott Snyder Insisted On Bruce Kicking a Kid In Absolute Batman

The Absolute Titles are Meant to Take Readers By Surprise

The moment in question takes place in Absolute Batman #6, when Bruce heads out to Black Mask's boat to put an end to Sionis' campaign of crime in Gotham. Batman landed on the boat and grabbed several life preservers and began taking down Black Mask's flunkies. One diminutive underling attacked Batman, trying to kill him with a knife. They obviously weren't much of a threat and the Dark Knight easily restrains them. They plead that they're just a kid and can't be treated like that and Batman responded simply by kicking them, sending the child flying into the ocean.

When this issue dropped, fans everywhere couldn't believe that Batman would actually do something like that (let's face it, even if they're evil, the Prime Bruce wouldn't punt a kid). But that's what Snyder is trying to say in this interview. He and Dragotta are creating a different kind of Batman story, and to really sell that idea, they need to do the kinds of things fans aren't going to see in the standard Batman series. But beyond that, this series, and the Absolute Universe, are doing big moments like this to keep fans engaged with the new DC line.

Fans Want to See DC's Absolute Universe Go as Wild as Possible

DC Comics' New World Offers Freedom for Creative Teams

It’s not just Batman punting a kid. It’s seeing Diana become a Medusa in Absolute Wonder Woman or John Jones experiencing ‘Martian vision’ in Absolute Martian Manhunter. The Absolute Universe is a separate continuity and allows the creators playing in it opportunities that aren’t usually available in the Prime DCU. These are technically different characters and thus, they can act in ways that not just separate them from their counterparts, but get fans talking. Seeing Absolute Batman punt a child into the ocean may be shocking, but it’s that kind of madness that’s making the Absolute Universe so damn special.

Source: AIPT