Absolute Batman #20
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/20.webp "Absolute Batman #20")
| Writer | Scott Snyder |
| Artist | Nick Dragotta |
| Cover Price | $4.99 |
As the dust settles in the city of Gotham after the loss of [redacted], Robins enter the scene ready to hunt and more than one secret will be revealed in this seminal issue.
CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
Nerd Initiative - Matthew Roth
May 13, 2026Absolute Batman #20 brings Bruce’s foundation crumbling down at his feet and ups the stakes of this entire run. I am excited to see what the Robins bring to the table in the next issue as the walls close in around Batman. Read Full Review
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10
But Why Tho? - William Tucker
May 13, 2026Absolute Batman Issue 20 has fear and dread dripping from the page. The intensity is intoxicating, making for one of the best confrontations of the run so far. Read Full Review
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10
Dark Knight News - Eric Lee
May 20, 2026Absolute Batman #20 is another in a long line of hard-hitting, yet strangely emotional comics. Snyder and Dragotta continue to be a a roll with this series. Read Full Review
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9.8
Comic Book Clique - Abel Loza
May 15, 2026Absolute Batman #20 continues to push Bruce Wayne to his absolute (pun intended) limits as Batman tries to navigate around a collapsing world around him. The pace of the story is neck-breaking; however, it never feels overwhelming or excessive. While the headlines and podcast topics will surely talk about the big, grandiose ideas from Absolute Batman, for me, the devil (or Joker) is in the details. They change the fundamental story of Bruce's rise to Batman, making him a fascinating character, and Snyder and company give both Batman and Bruce an edge they haven't seen before. Read Full Review
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9.7
Fanlight Zone - Ken M.
May 13, 2026Scarecrow’s grip on Batman’s world grows tighter with another devastating blow. Snyder’s writing unleashes nothign but pain and torment on Wayne’s broken soul. Dragotta and Martin peel back the emotional walls to reveal a frightened figure. An incredible view inside the fractured world of the Dark Knight. Read Full Review
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9.5
Lyles Movie Files - Jeffrey Lyles
May 15, 2026Absolute Batman 20 keeps upending the status quo and further disrupting any preconceived notions readers might have about what to expect with this title. You can’t predict anything with Absolute Batman. This is a series where it’s best to just sit back and enjoy the wild, wild ride. Read Full Review
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9.5
SciFiPulse - Ian Cullen
May 22, 2026Overall, this was a solid issue that does a great job of building more layers into this new universe. The scenes between Batman and The Joker were definitely the high point of the issue for me, with the dialogue and artwork combining perfectly to create a real sense of tension throughout their exchange. Read Full Review
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9.3
Comic Watch - Marcell Hines
May 13, 2026Absolute Batman #20 is an excellent issue that ratchets up the tension and the secrets being kept near and far start to break everything Bruce has worked so hard to build. Next issue all of that comes to a head when Batman comes face to face with the Robins! Read Full Review
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9.2
The Super Powered Fancast - Deron Generally
May 14, 2026Dragotta creates some beautifully detailed and visually exciting art throughout the issue. I love the use of shadow throughout the issue as well as the character designs. Read Full Review
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9.1
KPB Comics - Chris Hernandez
May 13, 2026I’m still team Diana, but Snyder is definitely cooking something special here. It’s a much meaner, leaner version of the Batman story that refuses to play it safe. Read Full Review
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9.0
AIPT - David Brooke
May 13, 2026Absolute Batman #20 leans heavily into setup, but it does so with purpose and confidence. Scott Snyder continues to layer in character arcs and long-term threads, especially around Bruce’s mental state and his fractured circle of allies. The issue may not deliver on the Robin-heavy promise of its cover just yet, but it deepens the world in meaningful ways and sharpens the stakes heading into what comes next. Nick Dragotta’s art remains the standout, elevating every moment with style, horror, and clarity. It is a strong chapter that prioritizes momentum and mood over immediate payoff. Read Full Review
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9.0
Weird Science - WakizashiGray
May 14, 2026Absolute Batman #20 is another big & bombastic issue with almost too much happening to fully take in. Why have one Robin when you can have FIVE?! There are some big story moments involving Scarecrow that can't be missed and it ends on a hugely compelling cliffhanger. The art and colors continue to shine and complement the dark tone of the book. This continues to be one of DC's most entertaining series and offers true value for money by rewarding a second (or third) read. Read Full Review
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9.0
Comic Crusaders - Al Mega
May 15, 2026Absolute Batman is intense, strange, emotionally bruised, and loaded with enough next-issue momentum to make readers start pacing like Commissioner Gordon during a citywide blackout. Gotham is broken. Batman is shaken. The Robins are hunting. And the Absolute Universe just made the Bat-family feel dangerous again. The Crusade approves. Read Full Review
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9.0
Comic Book Revolution - Kevin Lainez
May 17, 2026Absolute Batman #20 does an excellent job of showing just how far Absolute Joker’s influence extends across the Absolute Universe. The revelations Bruce Wayne uncovers about his own origins are especially compelling and add meaningful weight to the developing narrative. Read Full Review
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8.0
The Batman Universe - Kris Burke
May 14, 2026Overall though, another solid issue in one of DC’s best-selling comics. Let’s hope the battle with the Robins doesn’t disappoint next issue. Read Full Review
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8.0
Henchman-4-Hire - Sean Ian Mills
May 16, 2026The mystery and creepiness deepen in another excellent issue of this industry-defining series. Read Full Review
USER REVIEWS Back to Top
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10
One of the best issues yet. Absolute scarecrow (along with absolute hawkman) is one of the best characters of the whole absolute line. The conspiracy around Batman’s origin is intriguing and gives a very distinct feel to the series. The cliffhanger with the robin super sentai squad was astonishing. Absolute Batman is ridiculous in the best way possible.Can’t wait for the next issue. On a side note, Dragotta’s art in this issue is closer in style to his work in East of west and in love it.
+ Like • Comment• Likes (2) -
10
Simply fantastic!
The mystery behind Bruce's backstory keeps getting more and more interesting, Scarecrow steals every scene he's in, Batman is a BADASS, the art is INSANE, and the tease for the upcoming Batman vs The Robins fight has me excited beyond words. Bruce is going to need the help of his friends with this one for sure, and it looks like that's what's going to happen, which is awesome.
Honestly, I can't ask for more. This series is BY FAR the best ongoing! -
10
Praying that Batman goes Joker on Jason Todd, if you know what I mean?
Scarecrows maybe my favorite absolute villain. -
9.5
Loving this version of scarecrow
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9.0
Loved this. And it's funny that Snyder is making Bruce's backstory the question mark Joker usually has in Prime Earth. We don't know for sure was it accidental, or part of a bigger plan.
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9.0
This was a strong introduction to Absolute Scarecrow, and I am interested in seeing how Absolute Batman will fight against Absolute Robins
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8.5
I like that there is a mystery to solve. Feels more like a Batman story.
And I liked the use of the cape. Even though I don’t know where working class Bruce Wayne gets his resources from.
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8.5
Absolute Scarecrow continues his streak of being awesome. This new arc gets better and better each time. I wish each issue was longer because I want to read even more. While this issue was not as good as the previous issue, it's still really good stuff. This book is just always engaging and keeps the big dumb batman fun going.
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7.0
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