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/19.webp "Absolute Batman #19")
It's actually just too good eh? The wait between issues is genuine anguish. I really wish Marvel would pull out the stops and try and compete with the Absolute line. For a time, it seemed the new Ultimate line would do exactly that but the quality drop off for that was insane. Looking forward to Absolute Catwoman launching later this year.
Absolute Batman #19
| Writer | Scott Snyder |
| Artist | Nick Dragotta |
| Cover Price | $4.99 |
Poison Ivy proved to be just one of the many horrors within the bowels of the ARK M facility, and as Joker sets his sights on Absolute Batman, he decides to enlist the help of one of the center's most terrifying doctors, Dr. Jonathan Crane. While Bruce Wayne tries to align himself with Barbara Gordon, there's more than one alliance formed in this issue. New debuts,new villains, new arc starts here.
CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
Get Your Comic On - Neil Vagg
Apr 15, 2026Bold, brutal and utterly unafraid to upend everything they’ve built so far. The reunited Snyder and Dragotta have delivered an Absolute Batman which continues to be the best superhero comic on the shelves. Read Full Review
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10
Geek Dad - Ray Goldfield
Apr 15, 2026Every time I think I know where this book is going, it surprises me again. Read Full Review
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10
Comic Watch - Kevin Rossi
Apr 15, 2026Absolute Batman #19 is a bold issue that proves just how much thought has gone into shaping this world. While it may echo familiar ideas at times, everything here feels purposeful, building toward something larger and fresher. With new threats emerging and alliances coming forward, this series continues to carve out a distinct and compelling place in the Batman mythos. Read Full Review
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10
Nerd Initiative - Matthew Roth
Apr 15, 2026Absolute Batman #19 is as advertised. The team reminds us that while we know the names of these characters, we have no idea how things are set to play out at all. They aren’t afraid to shake things up and take chances, making this issue hit hard. Read Full Review
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10
But Why Tho? - William Tucker
Apr 15, 2026Absolute Batman Issue 19 injects pure adrenaline through fear. Scarecrow enters the picture and immediately rips up the rule book. Read Full Review
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10
Fanlight Zone - Ken M.
Apr 15, 2026The dark days of Gotham City sink further into madness with an epic chapter filled with show-stopping moments. Snyder never lets up on the pressure applied on Batman’s shoulders. Dragotta and Martin construct incredible pages which elevate an already stacked story. This series continues to push the boundaries of what Batman storytelling is defined as. Read Full Review
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10
Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills
Apr 18, 2026Big new introductions, shocking moments and an all around great set-up for a new story arc; Absolute Batman is still going as strong as ever this deep into its run. Read Full Review
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9.6
SciFiPulse - Ian Cullen
Apr 21, 2026This is a solid issue that successfully kicks off a new story arc while still grounding readers in recent events. There’s a strong sense of momentum here, but it never loses sight of what’s come before. Read Full Review
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9.5
AIPT - David Brooke
Apr 15, 2026Absolute Batman #19 keeps the pedal down with relentless pacing and big swings that continue to redefine this universe. Scott Snyder packs the issue with major developments, from Scarecrow’s disturbing debut to shifting alliances and escalating stakes across Gotham. Nick Dragotta matches that energy with inventive layouts and striking imagery that carry both tension and spectacle. It is a bold, crowded issue, but one that rarely loses its grip thanks to confident execution and a clear sense of direction. Read Full Review
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9.5
Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez
Apr 15, 2026Absolute Batman #19 nails the sense of unpredictability as you turn every page of this comic book. That unpredictability is immediately established by the impactful debut of Absolute Scarecrow. From there we once again see how Gotham City challenges towards Bruce Wayne grow even more intense. It all leads to major developments that are a reminder of the wealth of opportunities the Absolute Universe opens up to twist classic DCU concepts in new, intriguing ways. Read Full Review
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9.5
Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles
Apr 19, 2026Absolute Batman 19 feels like a seismic change to the status quo as the creative team closes in on year two of one of the more consistently shocking and legitimately surprising Batman runs in the last 30 years. Read Full Review
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9.5
Comic Book Clique - Abel Loza
Apr 19, 2026While "Project Batman” might be a plot point that might turn me off in the near future, for now, there are a few things to complain about this generational run. If this truly becomes only a 50-issue run, Absolute Batman #19 will be remembered as a key issue that helped get us to what will be an extraordinary ending. Read Full Review
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9.2
The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally
Apr 15, 2026Dragotta delivers beautifully detailed and visually exciting art throughout the issue. I love the visual style and the character designs a lot. Read Full Review
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9.0
KPB Comics - Stan West
Apr 15, 2026Snyder and Dragotta saddle Bruce with something even scarier than a new villain. Losing his friends. They haunt him like a vengeful ghost, while Scarecrow lurks in the shadows. Normally untouchable characters have been marked for death, while others threaten to become Bruce’s biggest adversaries. In Absolute Batman, no one is safe and nothing is sacred. Just ask Bruce Wayne. < Read Full Review
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9.0
ComicBook.com - Matthew Aguilar
Apr 15, 2026As with everything in Absolute Batman, one part of the story is put in place to set up a payoff at the most unexpected times, and that is pulled off brilliantly in Absolute Batman #19. The seeds of future events are teased in how Scarecrow operates, and it sets up a truly shocking event towards the issue’s end. Read Full Review
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8.5
Weird Science - Gabe Hernandez
Apr 15, 2026Absolute Batman #19 is a busy, high-energy issue that provides cool twists on familiar heroes and villains. While the central character's development is temporarily sidelined to make room for world-building, the dramatic art and shocking moments keep the series among DC's best offerings. Read Full Review
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7.5
COMICON - Tony Thornley
Apr 20, 2026A great issue of one of my favorite series that gets dragged down for doing too much. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
The perfect comic series continues to obliterate all competition. Slade Wilson, The Robins and Scarecrow. An insane death that turns the series on its head. No other comic on the stands comes close.
+ Like • Comment• Likes (4) -
10
Holy... What an entrance from Scarecrow, it was genuinely insane, and I love everything about him so far. He's so cool.
Besides, this issue had one of the most shocking moments in the series so far, which turns everything on its head and also introduces The Robins (can't explain how excited I am, what an awesome idea this is). This arc is a big one; it feels like everything up to this point was leading to this. Ughhh, how am I supposed to wait another month now 😫.+ Like • Comments (4)• Likes (2) -
10
Snyder and Dragotta just keep cooking. Amazing stuff.
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10
Definitely the best issue of Absolute Batman I have personally read.
I am a massive scarecrow fan, and though he may not have had the largest presence per page, his presence was definitely felt. -
10
On a side not I wonder if introducing bane so early in this series might’ve been a mistake..
however this is a flawless setup. -
10
Just perfect, from start to finnish
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9.5
Absolutely loved this issue. I’ve never been this scared of the Scarecrow.
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9.0
One of the better issues in this series in a while.
Neither the joker nor the poison ivy issues resonated with me. -
9.0
IDK how they do it. But each issue Scott comes up with something that leaves you feeling beyond satisfied and fully invested. And it's big dumb ridiculous Batman. The new villain Absolute Scarecrow looks awesome and I'm very much ready for what ever story arc we get from him. The Robins , Slade... the death of a major character... wow moments. Im here for all of this. Bravo and standing ovation on the story and the art. This is one of the top 5 titles in the market.
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10
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10
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10
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9.5
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9.5
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9.0
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9.0
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9.0
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8.5
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8.5
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8.0
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8.0
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7.0
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