Review: Absolute Batman #4 – “The Zoo: Part Four”
[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers!]
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Nick Dragotta
Colorist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Reviewed by: Steven Brown
Summary
Absolute Batman #4 – In a flashback, we see a young Bruce Wayne trying different iterations of his Batman suit. Meanwhile, we also have a young Bruce Wayne confronting Joe Chill in court.
Positives
This issue starts with a young Bruce Wayne in court, prepared to make a statement against Joe Chill in trial. With a look of absolute hatred in his eyes, the young boy makes it clear that he hates Joe Chill and has no regard to what happens to him next.
This issue also digs deeper into the relationship Bruce has with his father. Thomas, in this particular series, became a teacher instead of a doctor, and tragedy strikes during a field trip with his father and friends at the zoo. The death of Thomas Wayne here at the zoo, combined with Bruce’s fascination with bats, help him create the idea of Batman.
I loved how Snyder showed different concepts of Bruce’s suit before we see its final form. Here we see it more of a trial-and-error process, as he fights different criminals using different strategies and tools. Over time, it helps him determine what he needs in his one-man war against crime.
Negatives
I have no complaints about this issue.
Verdict
Overall, I thought that Absolute Batman #4 was a good read. It really gives you some insight into the thinking of Bruce Wayne, and his constant struggle to improve as Batman, from his journey as a kid in this issue, all the way to his adult years with becoming Batman.
One of my favorite moments in this issue is his interactions with his father, Thomas Wayne. Building a unique bridge in the shape of a bat for a science project, Thomas challenges Bruce to further think outside of the box. Bruce responds to this challenge by increasing the strength of the bridge and giving it other uses as well too. When Bruce wins the competition, Thomas is all too proud. From that moment on, however, is when Bruce’s real tragedies begin. This issue gave you a real good look at the makings of Absolute Batman.
Score: 5/5
