Absolute Batman #24 Review
With the debut of Absolute Batgirl, Absolute Batman #24 almost has too much going on, but the series succeeds by keeping the focus mostly on Batman himself.
Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta continue crafting stories for Absolute Batman, but the current arc shows signs of exhaustion. "The Straw Man" is bursting with new characters and twists, which may have overwhelmed the series. Issue #24 manages to keep the story together while introducing Absolute Batgirl, a new heroine. However, Batgirl's role in the issue is secondary.
The story arc has been heavy on darkness, including Martha Wayne's death, Batman being framed for murders, and Bruce questioning his existence. It's crucial to provide hope, and "The Straw Man" does that effectively. Meanwhile, secondary characters and plot lines like Deathstroke and Bruce's former friends are given less attention.
The issue focuses on Bruce's struggles and his victory over Scarecrow. The multiple time periods and points of view in the series work well when the creative team is in sync. Dragotta effectively adapts Snyder's script, and Frank Martin's colors clearly differentiate past and present. Dragotta's character designs, including Batgirl and Scarecrow, are particularly impressive. However, some elements like the flashback storyline feel rushed and underdeveloped.
Written by urgent.news from IGN's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
