Absolute Batman Has Become DC Comics’ New Version of Joker

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For years, people have noted that Batman and the Joker, despite being enemies, aren’t that different, especially when it comes to their involvement in Gotham’s crime conflict. But the latest issue of [publication name] really highlights just how similar they are.

In Absolute Batman #20, Bruce Wayne has completely become the Absolute Universe’s version of The Joker.

The latest installment of Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman begins with a news report where Mayor Hamilton Hill publicly criticizes Batman. Hill labels him a dangerous force – an “agent of chaos” and a “Cowled Prince of Crime” – claiming Batman uses the mysterious origins of his power to intentionally cause violence throughout Gotham.

If you replace the word ‘cowled’ with ‘clown,’ the resulting phrases are surprisingly the same ones used to describe The Joker in the standard DC Comics universe. What series of events led to this unexpected connection?

The central conflict in Absolute Batman #20 immediately follows the shocking events of the last issue. Someone has framed Batman for the murder of James Gordon. The real killer is actually Absolute Scarecrow, who used his fear toxin on the former mayor, causing him to run off a building—a place where Bruce Wayne and his crows happened to be present.

A devastating event, hinted at for months by a source that kept Jim’s identity secret, caused the public to turn against Batman, branding him Public Enemy #1. Unfortunately, things quickly go downhill from there.

Hill has created a team to track down Absolute Batman. This team is made up of young orphans from Gotham, trained by the mercenary Slade Wilson (also known as Deathstroke), and outfitted with advanced technology. This situation echoes a familiar pattern: like many younger members of the Bat-Family, Absolute Batman is driven by personal conflict, and this is ultimately how the Dark Knight is creating his own problems in this reality.

However, the role reversal goes even further than that.

Absolute Joker Is Basically The New Bruce Wayne

Absolute Batman has adopted many traits commonly associated with The Joker. Jack Grimm V is, in effect, the counterpart to Bruce Wayne within the Absolute Universe.

In this version of the story, Wayne is a working-class engineer and builder, while Bruce Grimm embodies the wealthy, sophisticated playboy that the character is typically known as. He secretly observes and controls criminal activity from beneath his estate.

Grimm has taken the concept of Robins to a whole new level – he’s created the ‘Absolute Robins.’ He’s not just providing the resources for this group, but the versions of Dick Grayson, Jason Todd, Tim Drake, Stephanie Brown, and Duke Thomas from his universe are all former protégés who are now fighting for him, mirroring the relationships seen within the traditional Bat-Family.

It’s safe to say that DC Comics has never created a Bruce Wayne who is an immortal, monstrous being – imagine white, scaly skin, long green horns, and a terrifyingly long tongue hidden behind a sharp jaw. That’s how…

The switch in typical traits between Batman and the Joker – while still maintaining their core beliefs – was intentional from the start. Author Scott Snyder has explained that Bruce Wayne embodies a type of chaos usually associated with the Joker, and conversely, the Joker represents the order that Batman usually fights against, particularly when facing corruption within the system.

I’m loving how the new storyline flips everything on its head! It really gets to the heart of what this whole ‘Absolute Universe’ thing is about. Seeing heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman lose their powers and the villains suddenly being super strong? It’s a fantastic twist and honestly, it’s been incredibly exciting to watch – I can’t get enough of it! It creates a real challenge for our heroes that we haven’t seen before.

Absolute Batman #20 is now available in comic book stores and on most digital platforms.

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2026-05-19 01:11