Review: Absolute Batman #6 – “The Zoo: Part Six”
[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers!]
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Nick Dragotta
Colorist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Reviewed by: Steven Brown
Summary
Absolute Batman #6 – THIS IS IT – THE PARTY ENDS HERE. Bruce Wayne, a young man who has built his entire life on leveling up, on becoming a bigger man than both his enemies and the obstacles that stand in his way, will have to break down the Black Mask and his gang of Party Animals.Will he be able to do this without the help of his unlikely new MI6 ally, Alfred Pennyworth? And how do his childhood friends – Edward Nygma, Waylon Jones, Harvey Dent, and Oswald Cobblepot (among others) – play a crucial role in Batman’s legacy as Gotham’s Vigilante? Absolute Batman’s first story arc, “The Zoo” concludes with this larger-than-life story, while introducing a few new elements to come in arc 2. You’d have to be ABSOLUTELY MAD to miss it!
Positives
Gotham is going to hell as Black Mask has bags planted throughout the city with masks that show payments for various crimes committed. The result is chaos as citizens either scramble for safety, or to commit a crime to collect on their bounty. As the city unfolds into madness, Batman is with his friend, Oswald Cobblepot, flying over the city, preparing to surprise Black Mask from above.
Throughout various flashbacks in this issue, Snyder shows the bond that formed between Bruce and Oswald, Waylon, Edward, Harvey, and Selina. The revelation that Bruce is Batman is shocking to some in his circle, while to others it’s no surprise.
Negatives
I have no complaints about this issue.
Verdict
Absolute Batman #6 really shows off Batman’s brutality, and I love it. Here, although Batman is scarred and seemingly broken, he still musters forward, and makes Black Mask pay. At the end of the book, a reveal is made that will have some devastating consequences for both Batman and Gotham.
Score: 5/5
