Batman is in the fight for his life against this icy new threat. But in the end, what terrifying truth will be unearthed about Ark M and…Joker?
Absolute Batman #8 is an emotionally-charged comic that will melt your heart in all the best ways. It is beautiful looking, with iconic pages by the best artists, and masterfully written, with relatable and relevant character moments. A certified classic in the making. Read Full Review
This is one of the most radical reinventions of Batman I've seen, but it's also incredibly true to all the characters and delivering a stunning story. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman Issue 8 recreates a classic confrontation. The battles between Batman and Mr Freeze have been unfolding for decades, immortalized in live-action movies or award-winning animated episodes. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman #8 has a lot riding on it, and it impresses with every page. It's hard to imagine a world where a comic from Scott Snyder and Marcos Martin could be bad, because it's definitely not this one. Absolute Batman #8 is a suspenseful masterpiece with art that needs to be seen to be believed. This is a perfect way to introduce Mr. Freeze to the Absolute Universe, and it fits into the horror vibe that Snyder and Dragotta built in the book's first story arc. Absolute Batman has a lot of competition in the Absolute line, but this issue shows that the book isn't ready to give up its crown any time soon. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman continues to be at the top of its game again this month. Scott Snyder steers the Mr. Freeze story to a suitably epic conclusion which forces Marcos Martin to draw some of the books wildest imagery to date. It's a book which is as emotional as it is action-packed. Setting up the next chapter whilst always keeping one eye on its characters and their development. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman #8 is incredible storytelling. Scott Snyder and Marcos Martin's creative chemistry was on point. They make Mr. Freeze a truly terrifying villain that you genuinely feel concerned about how Bruce Wayne can survives what he is put through. That along with the emotional revelations and the ending with what Ark M does all create a strong sense of immersion in the story. The immersion of the story drives home why this is one of the best comic books on the market on a monthly basis. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman #8 is a great continuation of a vital interlude story, by allowing the creative team to both explore the new undercurrents of Bruces character while depicting a grotesque and refreshed approach to Mr. Freeze. Snyders script plays to that notion by framing the story around a human conflict between Bruce and his friends and the monstrous fight between Batman and Freeze. Martn then elevates that concept by switching up the layouts, allowing Bruce to rage in massive splashes and Freeze to distort himself in unnatural ways. When combined with Vicentes stark, clashing approach to the color palette, the end result is a book layering with dualities that make for an interesting approach to a superhero book. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman #8 doesn't just raise the bar, it throws it through a frozen wall. This issue reminds us that Batman isn't just a hero; he's a guy on the edge of self-destruction, clinging to purpose. Freeze is horrifying, the art is next-level, and the emotional weight hits you square in the chest. Read Full Review
Joking aside, this is a fun issue that sets up a lot while adding new layers to Bruce Wayne's friendships with characters from Crime Alleywho, intriguingly, are villains in the main Batman continuity. It's a compelling mix of character, tension, and dark humor. Read Full Review
A cold day in Gotham wraps up with a true perspective of the Absolute Universe. Snyders writing encompasses the true horror of the classic Batman rogue. Martin and the art team exposes the terror lying within a cold heart. Judging by the ending, things are only getting worse for Bruce Waynes ever fractured world. Read Full Review
In this installment, Batman confronts the formidable Freeze in a battle that tests his physical prowess and mental resilience. The narrative delves deep into the psyche of a younger, more vulnerable Bruce Wayne, emphasizing his blue-collar roots and the weight of his mission in a Gotham teetering on the brink. Snyder's portrayal of Batman as a relentless yet human figure adds depth to the character, making his struggles palpable and his victories hard-earned. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman #8is a dramatic, emotional comic embedded in a harrowing tale of horror and escape. Scott Snyder's script well exceeds the level of depth you'd expect to see in a Batman comic as Bruce fights to live rather than fight to the death. I'm not sold on Marcos Martn's flat, squiggly art style, but he reimagines Mr. Freeze as a creepy, formidable threat. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman came out of the gate strong and has been finding its place since then to varying effect. I'm definitely glad that this shorter arc handled it well in bringing in another artist and doing something in just a couple of issues instead of decompressing it big time. The result is something tighter and disturbing but also showing more ways that the visual presentation can go. I'm curious but wary of what's ahead since it feels like it's going to lean into regularly bringing in more name characters when what I want is more backstory, more time with Bruce and his friends, and just seeing how he's going to set himself up and establish his rules going forward. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman continues to have some of the best fight choreography in comics with guest artist Marcos Martin bringing the horror-tinged noise while Batman fights to get out of one of Mr. Freeze's cryo chambers. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman #8 is at its best when it leans into the horror of Mr. Freeze and the experiments he performs inside the Ark M facility. Snyder's history with the genre and Martn's pencils do a great job creating a disturbing atmosphere. However, that storyline isn't resolved here, rather simply acting as a lead-in to the larger Ark M plot. Instead, the issue focuses on Bruce's self-destructive tendencies from blaming himself for his father's death. While perhaps not given enough time to be fully fleshed out, it serves as a moment of triumph and growth. Read Full Review
Absolute Batman: All In #8 is more than just a fight comicit's an exploration of survival, memory, and choosing to live even when everything inside you screams to give up. With razor-sharp writing and visually striking art, it earns its place as a standout in this run. Snyder and Martn bring both spectacle and soul, crafting an issue that freezes you in place, then punches through the ice. Read Full Review
This is a strong contender for best issue of the series, at least so far. Maybe not in the action department or the cool factor that Absolute Batman pours over the pages with Gragotta's art. But this issue and this arc for that matter, incorporate multiple themes in the art and the story that cannot be overlooked.
The Absolute Zero arc is a horror-based story, everything about Mr. Freeze is designed to inspired fear, disgust or even revulsion. When you think of Mister Freeze you don't think fear, not necessarily. So, the choice was an interesting one, but the execution and commitment to this interpretation is what make it compelling.
Speaking of compelling, this issue takes us back to that meeting Bruce had wit more
If only all guest artists were this good.
Utterly bone chilling. An utterly wild ride with exciting reveals and crucial/consequential character moments. The most important Matches Mallone ever, I love this.
Batman vs Fries is tantamount to an exhilarating old school manga battle. The character Waylon is set to become is utterly (and absolutely) insane. The wait until the next issue is going to be hell. Comfortably my favourite Absolute comic is Absolute Batman. I relish being this into comics again. Thank you Scott Snyder. This has been the shot in the arm Batman has needed since Synders last run.
King was not great, James Tynion was terrible, Joshua Williams wasn't good and the return of Jeph Loeb hasn't been brilliant. But...maybe the writers weren't the is more
Marcos Martin is crushing it here.
Story is pretty good.
It's honestly crazy on how good this series has gotten, and how Absolute DC Universe has been firing on all cylinders. Absolute Flash, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter are solid, and of course we got the DC Trinity. While I personally think Absolute Wonder Woman is the best, and Absolute Superman is my favorite, I can confidently say that Absolute Batman is the most entertaining and consistent.
It's impressive on how Scott Snyder still has a lot of creative juice and ideas for Batman. Perhaps it is because Absolute DC Universe is not shackled or inhibited by the continuity where the author has to take into account every event, but Scott Snyder can do whatever he wants in this book while also having top notch writing. I love t more
Art: 3.5/5
Story: 3/5
Total: 6.5/10
I really love this book, but this issue fell short for me, especially given how much I liked the setup in the first chapter. Batman goes up against a plethora of ….frozen ice zombies…and runs away from both Freeze and a satisfying resolution to the conflict. Additionally, Martin’s art in this chapter didn’t sell the larger than life craziness compared to how Dragotta’s typical art style would have. He was sorely missed here. I did enjoy the parallel story with Bruce and Waylon, as it gave depth to both characters. I have complete faith that I will enjoy the next story better. This one just didn’t click for me compared to the prior issues.
The whole Matches Malone thing would have been better had he not been some late entry insert. Don't refer back to events from issue #1 when the character had not been introduced into the story yet.
Making many of Batman's classic rogues gallery from the comics into his childhood buddies feels a bit to much like the Smallville TV series. It's just funny to see Bruce Wayne taking life lessons from "Killer Croc". 😂
I did however really like how Scott Snyder subtly spit in the eye of Tom King's concept of "Batman being a Suicide Mission" within this issue. That definitely raises the score a point.
The art in this issue (and last) really lacks the flare of Nick Dragotta. Hopefully the next arc with Bane will b more
I usually like Marcos Martin‘s art, but this issue didn’t work for me. Sometimes it was hard to tell what’s even happening.
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