Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Absolute Batman #19
18 years after the release of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight, DC has revealed an all-new Batmobile with some clear parallels to the Bat-Pod driven by Christian Bale’s Batman. Across the board, The Dark Knight trilogy featured some of the best Batman vehicle designs of all time, though the Bat-Pod is certainly a major fan-favorite the moment it launched from the wreckage of the Tumbler in the 2008 movie.
We’ve certainly seen Batman drive multiple different versions of the Batmobile in the comics since the release of The Dark Knight. However, the latest model definitely has more similarities to the Bat-Pod than most, debuting in the new Absolute Batman #19 from Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta.
Without the riches and typical resources of the mainline Bruce Wayne, Absolute Batman has engineered and modified the vast majority of his arsenal by hand. It’s why Absolute Batman’s first Batmobile was a heavily armored and modified construction truck. While still unnamed, Absolute Batman’s new Batmobile is next-level in its capabilities, evoking the classic Bat-Pod from Nolan’s The Dark Knight (while also being a major evolution).
Absolute Batman’s New Batmobile Takes The Bat-Pod To The Next Level
The standout feature of Absolute Batman’s new Batmobile is its gyroscopic cockpit, a concept that immediately separates it from previous vehicle designs we’ve seen on the page. No matter how the vehicle flips or rotates, Batman remains upright in the driver’s seat. This is very much proven in the new Absolute Batman #19 when Bruce speeds up while facing a police blockade rather than slowing down, flipping the entire car over the assembled officers while continuing to drive on the other side.
All things considered, it very much feels like a natural evolution of the Bat-Pod from 2008’s The Dark Knight. In the second Batman movie from Christopher Nolan, the Bat-Pod’s design allowed for some very impressive mobility beyond what was provided by the Tumbler, having the ability to rotate its chassis and maneuver in unconventional ways, as it was also able to drive sideways with latitudinal wheel rotation.
Now, this brand-new Batmobile builds on that same philosophy but remarkably goes even further. As the issue continues, we see that Absolute Batman’s new vehicle and its gyrosopic cockpit mean it can also angle through narrow alleyways, giving it another impressive level of mobility that’s very well-suited for the streets of Gotham City.
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01
DC’s Absolute Universe is a new line of comics launched in late 2024 that reimagines iconic DC heroes in a world without the legacy advantages they traditionally have. Which DC event/storyline set up the creation of the Absolute Universe?
ADark Crisis
BInfinite Frontier
CDarkseid’s rewriting of the DC Multiverse in the current continuity
DFlashpoint Beyond
✓ Correct! The Absolute Universe was born from Darkseid rewriting reality in the current DC continuity. This cosmic act of villainy created a parallel world where DC’s greatest heroes exist without the advantages and support systems they traditionally rely on.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Darkseid’s rewriting of the DC Multiverse. While Dark Crisis, Infinite Frontier, and Flashpoint Beyond are all significant DC events, it was Darkseid’s manipulation of reality that gave birth to the Absolute Universe.
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02
In Absolute Superman, Kal-El’s origin is dramatically different from the main universe. Instead of being raised by the Kents in Smallville, how does Absolute Superman grow up?
AHe is raised by the government
BHe grows up on Krypton
CHe is raised in an immigrant community with no wealth or privilege
DHe is raised by Lex Luthor
✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Kal-El lands not with the Kents but in an immigrant community, growing up without wealth or privilege. This reimagining strips away Superman’s traditional support system while keeping his core values of hope and justice intact.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is that he’s raised in an immigrant community with no wealth or privilege. The Absolute line is built on the concept of heroes without their traditional advantages, and Superman’s new upbringing reflects this perfectly.
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03
Absolute Batman reimagines Bruce Wayne without his billionaire status. In this version, Bruce Wayne has a very different civilian occupation. What is Absolute Batman’s day job?
APolice officer
BEngineer / construction worker
CTeacher
DJournalist
✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Bruce Wayne works as an engineer and construction worker. Without the Wayne fortune or Wayne Enterprises, this Bruce builds his gear and gadgets with his own hands and working-class ingenuity, making him a truly self-made Batman.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is engineer / construction worker. Absolute Batman strips Bruce Wayne of his billionaire status entirely. This Bruce is a massive, imposing figure who uses his engineering skills and physical labor background to craft his own Batman arsenal.
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04
Absolute Batman’s costume and physique are dramatically different from the traditional Batman. This version of Bruce Wayne is much larger and more imposing. Who is the writer of Absolute Batman?
ATom King
BJames Tynion IV
CScott Snyder
DChip Zdarsky
✓ Correct! Scott Snyder, who previously wrote the acclaimed New 52 Batman run, is the writer of Absolute Batman. His bold reimagining of Bruce Wayne as a working-class hero without billions has been one of the breakout hits of the Absolute Universe line.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Scott Snyder. Known for his legendary Batman run featuring the Court of Owls and other iconic storylines, Snyder returned to the Dark Knight with Absolute Batman, completely reinventing Bruce Wayne for this new universe.
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05
Absolute Wonder Woman reimagines Diana in a significantly different setting. In this version, the character’s mythology and origin pull from different cultural influences. Who is the writer of Absolute Wonder Woman?
AG. Willow Wilson
BKelly Thompson
CBecky Cloonan
DMariko Tamaki
✓ Correct! Kelly Thompson writes Absolute Wonder Woman, bringing a fresh take on Diana’s mythology and origin. This version reimagines Wonder Woman’s world with different cultural influences while maintaining the warrior spirit at the core of the character.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Kelly Thompson. While all four writers are acclaimed in the comics industry, it’s Thompson who helms Absolute Wonder Woman, crafting a bold new vision for Diana in the Absolute Universe.
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06
The Absolute Universe was created as a result of Darkseid altering reality. A key difference is that in this universe, heroes don’t have the traditional advantages and support systems. What concept describes this — that these heroes exist without their usual “safety nets”?
AHeroes without legacy
BHeroes without hope
CHeroes without privilege
DGrounded heroes
✓ Correct! “Heroes without legacy” is the core concept of the Absolute Universe. These versions of DC’s iconic characters exist without the inherited advantages, mentors, wealth, and support networks that traditionally define them — forcing them to become heroes purely on their own terms.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is “Heroes without legacy.” The Absolute Universe is built on the idea that Darkseid stripped these heroes of their legacies — Batman has no fortune, Superman has no Kents, Wonder Woman has no Themyscira as we know it.
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07
Absolute Flash reimagines Wally West in the Absolute Universe. In this version, the Flash’s connection to the Speed Force is portrayed differently. Who is the writer of Absolute Flash?
AJeff Lemire
BJoshua Williamson
CMark Waid
DJeremy Adams
✓ Correct! Jeff Lemire, known for his deeply human storytelling in titles like Sweet Tooth and Animal Man, writes Absolute Flash. His take on Wally West reimagines the speedster’s relationship with the Speed Force in the context of the Absolute Universe’s stripped-down heroic landscape.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jeff Lemire. While Williamson, Waid, and Adams have all written excellent Flash stories in the main continuity, it’s Lemire who brings his unique storytelling vision to Absolute Flash.
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08
Absolute Superman is written and drawn by a critically acclaimed creator who handles both the writing and art duties on the series. Who is this creator?
AJim Lee
BJason Aaron (writer) with Rafa Sandoval (art)
CGrant Morrison
DJorge Jiménez
✓ Correct! Absolute Superman is written by Jason Aaron with art by Rafa Sandoval. Together they’ve crafted a powerful reimagining of Kal-El, placing him in an immigrant community without the Kent family’s support, creating one of the most compelling new takes on the character in years.
✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jason Aaron (writer) with Rafa Sandoval (art). While Jim Lee, Grant Morrison, and Jorge Jiménez are all legendary DC creators, it’s the Aaron and Sandoval team that brings Absolute Superman to life.
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Basically, Absolute Batman’s new Batmobile feels like a next-generation model built on many of the same concepts used for The Dark Knight’s Bat-Pod, offering new methods of pursuing his targets (and evading law enforcement).
All that said, it’s also pretty funny that the Absolute Universe’s version of Bruce Wayne refuses to name his brand-new Batmobile, despite getting some perfect recommendations from Alfred and his new ally Harley Quinn, leader of the Red Hood Gang. While Alfred suggests options like the “Bat-Gimbal” and “Bat-Gyro”, Harley calls it like it is with “Bat-Nasty,” a name that will no doubt be a fan-favorite among Absolute Batman’s ever-growing audience.
Hopefully, Absolute Batman’s new vehicle won’t be a one-off following its debut in Absolute Batman #19. It’s far too useful and inventive, while also just being downright cool all the way around. Here’s hoping we’ll be seeing the “Bat-Nasty” in future issues, especially now that DC has finally revealed its Absolute Robins, a new group in Gotham City who have surprisingly been pitted against Batman himself, rather than being his allies like in the mainline DC Universe.
Absolute Batman #19 is on sale now from DC Comics.
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