How Absolute Batman Reimagines One of Bruce Wayne’s Greatest Tragedies
DC Comics’ Absolute Batman series continues its reimagining of Bruce Wayne mythology through the ongoing “Straw Man” story arc. Written by Scott Snyder and illustrated by Nick Dragotta, issue #23 escalates the narrative with multiple devastating revelations. Batman faces being framed for the murder of ex-mayor James Gordon while simultaneously contending with a mechanically-enhanced new iteration of the Robins. The arc culminates in a shocking twist: evidence suggests that the Joker and Scarecrow may have orchestrated Batman’s entire career as a costumed vigilante from the beginning, undermining the fundamental premise of his heroic journey. The series has been noted for its systematic dismantling of Batman’s agency and psychological resilience, pushing Bruce Wayne toward a critical breaking point. Through this reimagining, Snyder and Dragotta explore the dark possibility that Batman’s greatest triumphs were orchestrated manipulations by his most formidable adversaries, fundamentally questioning the nature of his identity and purpose as a hero.