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.