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Reading these reviews I thought I was the only one who was disappointed in the art Definitely felt this was the weakest issue yet and the fact we are getting a fill in artist after three issues doesn’t fill me with confidence
Absolute Batman has established himself as an extremely large force to be reckoned with. But how did he get to this point? How did he push himself? And how did the tragic events of his childhood, and the advice of his father, shape the man who he became...literally? Guest artist Gabriel Walta joins for this essential origin issue of Absolute Batman to explore Bruce Wayne's past, and his inevitable future to go BIGGER. Don't miss this pivotal issue!
'Absolute Batman' #4 honors the caped crusader's storied history by giving us a perfect reinterpreted origin. A novel take on Year One right at the turn of New Year's, one that also works great as a standalone single issue. It's a personal story with a healthy dose of social commentary, ambitious in its scope, with a balance of homages and new ideas. The series has a freedom that previous Batman comics did not, and I'm especially excited as to how it explores Bruce's relationship with his parent's killer. Read Full Review
We get some hints at a larger villainous conspiracy here, as well as some great action as we see our Batman in action for the first time. But while Walta's guest art is brilliant, what really makes this issue so strong is how effectively it gets us into Bruce's head as he comes of age and uses his pain to become something we haven't seen before. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman #4 is the most concise issue of the book thus far as a result of its shift in artistic approach and narrative focus. Centering on the younger aspects of Bruce, both as a wide-eyed child with a problem-solving mind at work and the fledgling crime fighter, strip the character down to the essential elements that separate him from his main continuity counterpart. That thematic focus is bolstered by Waltas artwork, which speaks to the rugged nature of this universe and the darker impulses of Bruce, as he dips into the more vicious aspects of the bat. Rounded out by Martins coloring which serves as the adaptive bridge between visual styles, the issue succeeds at its job as the Absolute Year One by solidifying the books characterization experiments. Read Full Review
The tragic beginnings of the Dark Knight come into the light with this chapter. Snyder pens an emotionally driven issue with strong writing. Walta, Martin and Cowles keep a brooding sense to panels as the evolution from Man to Bat begins. High level storytelling at its finest. Read Full Review
Overall, this is a solid issue, one that focuses more on character development than on action. Read Full Review
Gabriel Hernandez Walta creates some beautiful art in this issue. I love the evolution of the Batman visually in this issue and how the character views the world through an engineering standpoint. Read Full Review
Snyder and Dragotta turn the Batman mythos on its head by making bats something that Bruce loves and doesn't fear. And the art doesn't miss a beat with fluid action scenes, the aforementioned homages, and a really cool ghostly effect from Martin when we get to a flashback with Thomas Wayne and his father. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman Issue 4 is this universe's Year One. It is a fantastic origin story that answers many of the questions that had arisen from three issues of mystery and intrigue. Read Full Review
Overall, Absolute Batman #4 is a pivotal issue that provides crucial context for the series. It's a well-crafted exploration of Bruce Wayne's character, grounded in his deep-seated trauma and the influence of his father. While light on action, it's a must-read for anyone invested in this unique take on the Batman mythos. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman #4 does an excellent job condensing the Year Zero/Year One origin story of the character. In the process Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta pay homage to all the variations to stories about Batman's early days, from comics to movies, in way that both honors and makes this its own take. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman #4 effectively told some crucial backstory for Bruce and his father while playing out like a mini-break from the main, ongoing story in a way that didn't ruin the momentum. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman #4 stands on its own as brilliant deep dive in to the Absolute Universe's version of Bruce Wayne. Scott Snyder proves, once again, why he may be THE ultimate Batman writer whilst guest-artist Gabriel Walta brings an interesting new perspective to this new Earth. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman #4is a qualified success for presenting the most heartfelt, authentic depiction yet of the relationship between young Bruce Wayne and his father, Thomas. Scott Snyder cleverly interweaves layers of meaning from Thomas's life lessons that eventually find their way into Batman's design. However, the sketchy, indie style from guest artist Gabriel Hernndez Walta won't be everyone's cup of tea.8/10 Read Full Review
A fun "Year One type issue with some good father/son bonding time with Thomas and Bruce. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman #4 reveals the origins of this new, brutal Batman. His ingenuity, perseverance, and willingness to succeed at any cost have always been there, but they just needed time to coalesce into a formidable dark knight. The fill-in artwork does not quite live up to the standards set by the rest of the series, but still manages to capture the grit of this darker Gotham. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman: The Zoo, Part Four is an introspective and thematically rich issue that deepens readers' understanding of Bruce Wayne's character and mission. Scott Snyder's script and Gabriel Hernandez Walta's evocative art work beautifully together to create a meditative chapter. However, the issue's detour from the arc's main plot and the jarring artistic shift may frustrate readers who were hoping for forward momentum Read Full Review
This was the best issue yet and brings home the core concept of the series and what makes this Batman different, and why making him decidedly NOT a billionaire was done. This Batman is very not just doing this out of a hatred of evil, but a desire to help people and to curtail corruption by those who have the power to enact change but don't.
Its not the first time the character has flirted with these ideas but id dare to say its never been more intertwined with the Bat mythos. Really good stuff. I think I'm in on this for the long haul now.
Gabriel Walta being on art duties is a big shift from Dragotta but I've liked Waltas art for some time and I think he's particularly skilled at conveying the emotion of this issue a more
Top-tier comic book.
Theatre-kid era Bruce is hilarious.
Solid reimagining of Batman origin, I liked Bruce's moment in court.
this has been surprisingly solid. I like Scott Snyder's writing for this Batman, it feels familiar yet new and I like the subtle differences between this Bruce Wayne and main Bruce Wayne. Plus the art fits in the origin issue.
I really liked the story here. It was probably my favorite yet. However, I just can't get past the art. I worked better in the slower sections where there was mainly dialogue. However, it was just not great when it came to anything action-related or anything with a faster pace. I'm not even fully sure I want to score this as high as I am because of Walta's art, but Snyder's origin story here was just really, really good.
Filler with lame art.
Very poor art for DC's current big book they're trying to push. This issue was quite boring and the reveal of the bat suit tech origin was lackluster at best. My least favorite issue of the run by far.
Unintentionally goofy and dumb origin story. Imagine Snyder getting inspiration from chainsaw-man and my Heroe Accademia without getting it. Middle age man idea of manga without taste or creativity.
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