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. Read Full Review

Between an insane story, a genuine appreciation for the emotional core of the character, and some bonkers action and wild turns, Absolute Batman #6 might just be the most insane Batman story weve ever been told. This book and this arc is bananas, and its some of the best executed storytelling in current comics. Period. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman Issue 6 is a story that only this world can tell. Now that the readers are well-versed in the characters and the city, Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta can flex their muscles and explore. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman #6 is a strong, intelligent, and ultimately affirming end to The Zoo arc, marking a point of transition for the series. As it shifts away from Black Mask and moves a bit closer to some typical Batman character dynamics and status quos, Absolute remains interested in exploring a Batman with fewer resources but more systems and structures in place. Snyders script delivers a thematically rich conclusion worth the price of admission for the last few pages alone, bolstered by a strong present-day storyline and coalescing flashback moments. Paired with Dragottas art, which adds kinetic energy of action beats to the conversation moments through dynamic paneling. Martins coloring wraps those beats into sharp juxtapositions of reds and blues that speak to the pain and hope that permeate this book. Overall, Absolute Batman #6 sticks the landing in such a compelling way that it quells any complaints and provides an enriching reinterpretation of the character. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman #6 is a blistering end to the series first arc. Snyder and Dragotta have tapped in to the most primal version of Batman's story and I cannot think of a better way to bring "The Zoo to a conclusion. A prime example of writer, story, artist and visuals all working in perfect harmony. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman concludes its first arc on a fiery and violent fueled note. Snyders writing shoots Bruce Wayne into the savage close flawlessly. Dragotta and Martin push the envelope on the line of heroic and horror with their art. Forget any preconceived notions. This vision of the Dark Knight stands out on its own pedestal for good reason. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman #6 is an action-packed, emotional conclusion to the book's incredible first arc that couldn't have done a better job at introducing to us a new Batman. Read Full Review

My one criticism of Absolute Batman #6 is we didn't see Bruce telling his boys that he's Batman. There are still a lot of threads left to pull. Selina's return and the Joker is out there somewhere. Read Full Review

OverallA fairly satisfying conclusion to the first story arc that sets up a lot for the next, which will likely include Bane. Personally, I'd love to see how Bruce's friends react when they find out he's the Batman. Read Full Review

Even in this series where everything is taken to the ridiculous extreme, Scott Snyder lets the core of the character shine through in a brilliant testament to what Batman is about. It can take many forms, and regardless of whether it's in a contemplative detective mystery or something as action packed as this, what matters is that Batman will never stop caring for those around him and will fight like Hell to protect his city. Past all the muscle and metal, Absolute Batman is a story filled with heart. Read Full Review

Throughout "The Zoo story arc Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta have defined the tone and design of the Absolute Universe's Gotham City. It is a Gotham City that has both felt familiar and distinct to the Absolute Universe. That direction is firmly defined by how Absolute Batman #6 concludes the series first story arc. Read Full Review

Just when you think you've caught your breath, it reminds you that the worst is yet to come. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman #6 is a masterwork of action storytelling. The first arc of one of the best comics today ends with a big bang, from which future villains await on the horizon. Everyone in this creative team is at their peak. It moves at a rapid pace and never drags. We'll have to see if this relentless momentum will prove to be its strength or its bane. Still, I can't help but be excited for the next arc. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman #6 is a pulse-pounding conclusion to the first arc, blending action, humor, and heart in the way only Snyder can. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it delivers a Batman story that's big, bold, and brimming with potential for what comes next. Read Full Review

Overall, Absolute Batman #6 is a satisfying conclusion to the “Zoo” arc. It's a must-read for fans of Scott Snyder's Batman work and those who enjoy a fresh and innovative take on the Dark Knight. The issue delivers a thrilling and thought-provoking experience, leaving readers excited for the next chapter in Bruce Wayne's journey. Read Full Review

Absolute Batman #6ends the Absolute Batman's fight against Black Mask with twists, tension, emotional beats, and a shakeup to the status quo. Scott Snyder's script is the best in the series so far, except for a Bat-God moment that will make you groan, and Nick Dragotta's art is in top form. Read Full Review

The crazy, over-the-top action easily sells this first story arc finale. Read Full Review

usually don't give out 10 out of 10. But this is just because of how entertaining and fun this series is. Nick Dragotta's art finally won me over, I think he might be the next definitive artist for Batman if he keeps this out. Legit, this run can be the 2020s version of New 52 Batman. Absolute superman may be my favorite, Absolute Wonder Woman may be the best. But Scott Snyder? He's the reason why I became a Batman fan and got me reading comics like crazy. Absolute Batman is the most entertaining out of the Absolute series. In my opinion Scott Snyders the best Modern Batman writer of all time.

Absolute Batman #6 maintains the all gas no breaks approach as the story presses on through a break neck pace of action laced panels. Nick Dragotta and Scott Snyder have made a genuinely funny series within a bleak premise and I applaud them for it since it is a rare feat worthy of praise.

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• NerdDadBrad

NerdDadBrad - Mar 23, 2025

Love the review! I'll be reading it on my podcast Lunchbreak reviews out soon. Reach out if you ever want to talk comics on the podcast.

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What a finale.

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• Hex

daspidaboy - Mar 19, 2025

Finally, Gabe Hernandez and Batman News gave a high review for once

motorik - Mar 19, 2025

No way! I am stunned! Hope you are well my friend. Thank you for taking the time to tell me! Hell has frozen over.

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Outstanding read

Arc one is done. Arc two is a go! This picks up and continues Absolute Batman's story. The story is Epic, the art is fantastic, and he literally punts a baby... thingamabob! IDK. This is a good fun ride, and I'm here for it. I hope this one is in your pull box for sure.

Check out my podcast LUNCHBREAK REVIEWS, I go over the good & bad reviews, and then I go through the book on my own review system, the Lunchbreak point system.

As much as I don’t want to like it because I don’t like the design of Batman, and I don’t like the setup of the childhood friends, the rest is pretty great.

The best issue of the series so far. Some nice art from Dragotta here, the story from Snyder had a great balance, in terms of its pacing, and some really cool moments coming from both the action-centric sections and the more character-focused sections of the book. I'm really looking forward to whatever comes next.

Snyder and team stick the landing to “The Zoo” with this dark, action-packed, emotional and FUN final chapter!

This should be everything I dislike about Snyder writing Batman, but this bombastic comic just keeps entertaining me big time.

Absolute Batman hooked me from the jump and I'm proud to say I'm a fan. In the past, I've had problems with Scott Snyder's writing. It can be overly wordy and he often has characters exposition about how smart they are because they know about some obscure factoid about the Ottoman Empire. Unfortunately those tendencies pop up here, but Dragotta fights his damndest to deliver under constraints. What worked about Snyder and Capullo's New 52 run was that Capullo would just ignore Snyder's scripts lol and do whatever he wanted. Dragotta is far more slavish to the written word here. Sometimes I question whether Dragotta was the right choice: his backgrounds leave a lot to be desired and I never get a strong feel for Gotham. However, regardless of my qualms, Dragotta's art is gorgeous and has a certain gothic Tim Sale quality to it that's irresistible.

But the characterization of Bruce and his villains/allies ties everything together. Black Mask is creepy, but of course Bane and Mr. Freeze take the cake so far. A lot of comics are so focused on plot and doing "big epic plots that will obliterate the cosmos". Snyder instead is laser focused on delving into Bruce and putting him through absolute hell; which brings us closer to Bruce more than ever before despite him having a mom and more of a support system. Snyder paces the issues and series flow almost perfectly.

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The Zoo reaches a conclusion with this 6th issue. The ending of issue 5 was exactly what I thought it was, Sionis was propping gun and mask cashes all over the city to incite an armed anarchy in Gotham. So yeah, Martha and Jim's life were hanging on by a thread. Basically, the last thread of dignity the desperate people of Gotham have. Those masks were connected to the Party Animal's Network and was offering cash rewards for every crime and murder the user committed. Martha and Jim were in the belly of the beast; the city of Gotham was about to descend into chaos and the Batman had gone into hiding liking his wounds.

This issue takes the time to highlight more Bruce's childhood post the incident at the zoo. Clearly a child suffering from PTSD, having nightmares and such. But one thing that I appreciated was the fact that Martha pointed out to Bruce that her held on to hope. That Thomas Wayne was also a hopeful person, and Bruce kind of inherited that spirit from his father. Even without knowing it, the gesture of asking Jim Gordon to make the Zoo into something that people looked as shiny, bright, hopeful. That sentiment is what informs Bruce's mindset. When you think about it, he could have given in to Sionis deal and let Gotham burn itself to the ground. But the hope Bruce has in the people and in the city, kept him from giving in and giving up on Gotham. People like his own mother, Jim Gordon and his childhood friends, basically the people who are fighting back against the bad that happens in Gotham.

Finally, Batman, after fighting for his life against the party animals, and barely escaping away with his life, Bruce does something unexpected. He reached out to others for help. As you can imagine, the little gang of rascals he grew up with, were also the people he turned to in his most dire moment. With their help, Bruce is nursed back to health. Or at least some healthier condition where he could go back out and fight again. I'm just assuming because we don't actually see that. But yeah, Bruce goes out there and puts a beating on the Party Animals that borders on child abuse. Included and not limited to Sionis himself. Not going to lie, it was quite gratifying to see the Batman get his licks back on these gang members. Sionis was shown to be a capable fighter before, so don't anticipate him taking this beating so easily. He does fight back and falls short against the ingenuity of the Absolute Batman.

Absolute Alfred is seen going out of his way to help Julia, his daughter. Although his presence just like his help was not welcomed. In the end, he does go back to help Bruce once again. Even though he gave him a scolding for not taking Sionis deal and was sure to leave Gotham to be taken by the madness. Alfred wanted no part no part, of any of it. Must've had a change of heart after seeing his daughter, who's to say?

Snyder closed out this chapter with a lot of grit from all the character involved. Martha Wayne talking some sense to the desperate people of Gotham. Jim Gordon standing his ground, well knowing he could've been a goner. Waylon & Ozzie coming through for Bruce, even against their own judgement. Alfred returning to Gotham not because he had hopes that the city would prevail, but because he had hope on Batman. Dragotta and Martin are insanely aggressive in this issue. The action, the pacing and the panel structure, all of it felt like the 3rd act of a superhero film. A good one at that. more

Though a fun and Snyder-esque ending, I got thoughts.
I enjoy the art and the full page we got here was fire. But Dragotta has a thing for these tiny panels that are just underwhelming.. plus there’s something about Snyders writing that I can’t quite put my finger on.. it’s just extra.. idk
But hey you have Absolute Batman drop kicking a baby in the ocean.
Fun ending.

Art: 3.5/5
Story: 4/5
Total: 7.5/10