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Absolute Batman (2024)
Absolute Batman (2024-) #15
Alfred reveals to Bruce the story of the man he’s been chasing for years. Joker! Scott Snyder and Jock reunite for an epic tale in the Absolute Universe!
30 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 10, 2025
53 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Scott Snyder
1,780 books5,135 followersScott Snyder is the Eisner and Harvey Award winning writer on DC Comics Batman, Swamp Thing, and his original series for Vertigo, American Vampire. He is also the author of the short story collection, Voodoo Heart, published by the Dial Press in 2006. The paperback version was published in the summer of 2007.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
January 4, 2026
So, apparently, the Joker is a couple of centuries old, and started as a child street performer in the 1800’s, who made people laugh and overly suggestible by discreetly spraying crowds with Nitrous Oxide so they’d give him all their money.
As he got older and richer through investment, he got into philanthropy, especially children’s causes, helping build schools, orphanages, and hospitals, only so he could experiment with the cells of children and baby fetuses to develop some vile way to monstrously mutate himself, and become immortal. Then he repeated started faking his death and returning to society as his own child.
As the centuries went by, He got even richer by becoming the major investor in both sides of every societal coin: funding both Right and Left-Leaning news agencies, the Nazi’s and the Allies, warlords and war relief aids, criminals and prisons, and even investing in entertainment, like film production, graphic cards, and video game industries, becoming a trillionaire off playing everyone against each other and having them all rely on him.
This has to be the coldest and most evil villain origin ever. This dude is Satan, the anti-Christ, Beheelzebub, bro funded Hitler and uses babies to mutate himself, there’s no topping that shit. We also find out that Bruce has been looking up Absolute Wonder Woman, and I think he might actually want her help with fixing Waylon. 5-star issue, can’t wait for the crossover in the next one, Diana vs. Bruce! Let’s fucking Goooo!!!.
As he got older and richer through investment, he got into philanthropy, especially children’s causes, helping build schools, orphanages, and hospitals, only so he could experiment with the cells of children and baby fetuses to develop some vile way to monstrously mutate himself, and become immortal. Then he repeated started faking his death and returning to society as his own child.
As the centuries went by, He got even richer by becoming the major investor in both sides of every societal coin: funding both Right and Left-Leaning news agencies, the Nazi’s and the Allies, warlords and war relief aids, criminals and prisons, and even investing in entertainment, like film production, graphic cards, and video game industries, becoming a trillionaire off playing everyone against each other and having them all rely on him.
This has to be the coldest and most evil villain origin ever. This dude is Satan, the anti-Christ, Beheelzebub, bro funded Hitler and uses babies to mutate himself, there’s no topping that shit. We also find out that Bruce has been looking up Absolute Wonder Woman, and I think he might actually want her help with fixing Waylon. 5-star issue, can’t wait for the crossover in the next one, Diana vs. Bruce! Let’s fucking Goooo!!!.
December 12, 2025
Absolute Batman #15 is a strong, unsettling chapter that leans hard into horror. This issue delivers a chilling take on the Joker’s origin, with Jock’s atmospheric art setting an eerie tone throughout.
This opening of a new arc deepens the world and pushes the story into darker, more interesting territory. Creepy, engaging, and genuinely fun — it left me eager to see where this version of Batman and Joker goes next.
This opening of a new arc deepens the world and pushes the story into darker, more interesting territory. Creepy, engaging, and genuinely fun — it left me eager to see where this version of Batman and Joker goes next.
December 10, 2025
My reaction to the joker while reading this issue:
Evil Evil Evil!!!!!
Scott Snyder genuinely was trying his hardest these past few months to let us know this guy was evil, he succeeded
After seeing his introduction and past, this isn't Absolute Joker, nah this is Absolute Satan, Absolute Elton musk, Absolute Jeffrey espetin and a little bit of classic Batman mixed together
Evil Evil Evil!!!!!
Scott Snyder genuinely was trying his hardest these past few months to let us know this guy was evil, he succeeded
After seeing his introduction and past, this isn't Absolute Joker, nah this is Absolute Satan, Absolute Elton musk, Absolute Jeffrey espetin and a little bit of classic Batman mixed together
December 10, 2025
The Joker was Bruce and Bruce could be the Joker if things hadn’t turned the other way. This was the most chilling villain I’ve ever seen. Not only did the Joker probably create the Batman, he’s the one responsible for everything. Loved it.
December 25, 2025
It has has interesting ideas but lets see where this will go.
December 18, 2025
Jason u are so cooked
December 10, 2025
Absolute Joker is completely and utterly terrifying. He feels like the kind of fictional character you’d hear about as a kid that would genuinely haunt you for years.
The way Scott Snyder has reimagined this iconic villain is nothing short of incredible, and he deserves every ounce of praise for the creativity on display here.
This origin is riveting, violent, thrilling, and packed with a special kind of horror that keeps you on edge while still giving you that hope—that someday, this evil might actually be stopped.
And that ending twist? I thought I saw it coming… but it still felt too bizarre to be real. Joker having parallels to the classic Batman mythos is such a bold and fascinating choice for this series.
This run is, without a doubt, the best comic series of the year for me.
The way Scott Snyder has reimagined this iconic villain is nothing short of incredible, and he deserves every ounce of praise for the creativity on display here.
This origin is riveting, violent, thrilling, and packed with a special kind of horror that keeps you on edge while still giving you that hope—that someday, this evil might actually be stopped.
And that ending twist? I thought I saw it coming… but it still felt too bizarre to be real. Joker having parallels to the classic Batman mythos is such a bold and fascinating choice for this series.
This run is, without a doubt, the best comic series of the year for me.
January 1, 2026
Jock is an amazing artist! Love this choice of guest artist. It compellingly rivals the Bane issue illustrated by Clay Mann.
Love the creative direction to make Joker an eldritch Stephen-King-esque centuries old boogeyman. It’s different to usual, but unique enough to feel real. There’s a palpable sense of dread to the body horror and in-book societal implications to how the Joker acts the way it does. Love the focus on fundamental power imbalances and “the top 1% ruling everything” as a theme. Issue 15 is a good demonstration of those themes the team has been building up.
Horrifying shit!
Not really looking forward to issue 16’s crossover but oh well, it is what it is.
Love the creative direction to make Joker an eldritch Stephen-King-esque centuries old boogeyman. It’s different to usual, but unique enough to feel real. There’s a palpable sense of dread to the body horror and in-book societal implications to how the Joker acts the way it does. Love the focus on fundamental power imbalances and “the top 1% ruling everything” as a theme. Issue 15 is a good demonstration of those themes the team has been building up.
Horrifying shit!
Not really looking forward to issue 16’s crossover but oh well, it is what it is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2025
Love the subversion. Cannot wait to see more Joker!
December 10, 2025
“He’s the Joker.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2025
Peak. My favorite comic book villain for a reason.
December 10, 2025
i haven’t been this invested in a comic run in at least 10 years. the absolute universe is absolutely fascinating on many levels and it’s working for me on every single one.
the last few pages of this issue have been foreshadowed and teased but seeing it was still shocking.
darkseid fuckjng with batman in uniquely twisted ways. RIP, Bruce, because you’re screwed, man.
the last few pages of this issue have been foreshadowed and teased but seeing it was still shocking.
darkseid fuckjng with batman in uniquely twisted ways. RIP, Bruce, because you’re screwed, man.
December 11, 2025
"He's a classic American success story."
December 12, 2025
Jesus H. Christ
December 25, 2025
Oh lord... Holy me... Now, that is a nice take on the Joker. I am definitely going to like this. Esp now that Diana and Bruce are going to meet.
December 16, 2025
A great setup for the next arc and an introduction to this version of the Joker. I am so excited for where this story is going and getting Absolute WW in the fray just sweetens the deal. The art is also very fitting and moody.
December 14, 2025
THIS IS FUCKING PEAK🃏😭
Nah this origin story of absolute joker…. 🃏 ngl, I expected something dark but NOT this dark - this man is literally Satan on steroids
It’s the set up. As Alfred is telling to Bruce “so there’s this guy” and Bruce is like “yo, just FUCKING TELL ME” 😭
The hint to absolute Wonder Woman - that link up will be another peak moment.
Holy shit, this story arc has the potential to be a top 10 Batman story arc with the way this is going (recency bias is hitting hard right now but man, this is so good). This issue gave a mix of suspense, thriller, with a dash of awe.
Unfortunately the max stars I was able to give was 5 but I would give it 200 stars ⭐️
Nah this origin story of absolute joker…. 🃏 ngl, I expected something dark but NOT this dark - this man is literally Satan on steroids
It’s the set up. As Alfred is telling to Bruce “so there’s this guy” and Bruce is like “yo, just FUCKING TELL ME” 😭
The hint to absolute Wonder Woman - that link up will be another peak moment.
Holy shit, this story arc has the potential to be a top 10 Batman story arc with the way this is going (recency bias is hitting hard right now but man, this is so good). This issue gave a mix of suspense, thriller, with a dash of awe.
Unfortunately the max stars I was able to give was 5 but I would give it 200 stars ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 25, 2025
“He’s something terrible, Bruce. A nightmare thing that stalks the Earth, not a man who never laughs at anything, but a beast that’s always laughing at us.” -Pennyworth
Grimm might be my favorite version of Joker yet. He’s an immortal monster that fakes his own family line to cover up the fact that it’s always been him, the clown, preying on humanity and its inner darkness.
Grimm might be my favorite version of Joker yet. He’s an immortal monster that fakes his own family line to cover up the fact that it’s always been him, the clown, preying on humanity and its inner darkness.
December 11, 2025
Absolute Joker gives human(oid?) form to the horrors of the real world.
December 11, 2025
Absolutely fantastic and horrifying read! What I absolutely love is that this story maintains a core principle of joker: we don’t truly know anything about him. And this story takes that to a pennywise-esque degree we have never seen before. This issue is told from the perspective of Alfred finally giving a briefing to Bruce about what he knows about Joker. But that’s not what truly matters, because there is a big difference between what people know about him…and what people believe. So let’s start with what we know for sure. He’s rich, so rich that he owns uninhabited islands all over the world and spends billions traveling to them a few times a year…people believe he likes to hunt. But to tell his story we have to go back to one of the first films ever recorded in 1888. In the background of a garden scene you can see Joker’s great grandfather, a boy in clown makeup juggling skills and making everyone laugh. Geez even his clown makeup looks like pennywise, lol. That is Jospeh Grimm I. It was said you could hear the laughter of those around him for blocks, but he never so much as chuckled. His reputation grew and he took the clown act with him to invest in his own theater called “Just Kidding,” aka “JK.” There he invested in silent pictures and by forty he made a fortune, but even though he surrounded himself with the richest at the time shaping the nation…he was never one of the spotlight. There was barely any record of his existence but what is documented is his charity work. Jack died in 1938 and is buried in a family crypt. His legacy lived on in his son, Jack Jr, who expanded the family business in the 1920s and invested heavily in the entertainment industry, being the first financiers of the television. And just like his father he stayed committed to philanthropy, especially for the orphans across the country. In the 1960s Jr’s son, Jack Grimm III, created one of the first cable network companies and was a major finder of public broadcasting. Jack Grimm IV was born in the late 1970d and took the company into gaming systems and expanded the philanthropy and global causes. Which finally brings to this centuries Jack Grimm V. The most successful one yet and one of the first investors in online gaming platforms and the graphics processing units to run them that run the entire world by now. He has widened the charitable initiatives and is loved by those who know him.
But Bruce is confused, where is the smoking gun, what is so scary about this guy? While Alfred talks we get a glimpse of Joker on one of his islands, hunting down and slashing the throat of a cougar with his bare hands. Alfred admits that in paper nothing is scary about him, he is the clown helping people across the world smile and laugh. I can’t help but feel the agitation in Bruce’s voice. He wants the story of what Pennyworth believed, not what he knows is true. So Alfred takes us back to the start, to that clowning the alley. The story becomes a bit more twisted with the knowledge young Jack Grimm performed outside a dentist’s office around the time nitrous oxide was first introduced. Jack would release laughing gas into the alley to make the people suggestible and get their money, it wasn’t so much a good act as a trick. When he was growing in the theater world he would fund his rivals and pit them against each other, he took this same mentality everywhere he could make money. He funded both sides of wars, he funds both sides to political leaning news networks, he funds the peace and the war, the crimes and the prison. They might be the most powerful crime family on history by pitting everyone against each other and profiting off the chaos.
Back one the island where Joker is hunting he heard a noise and came across a pieced together hut, someone is arriving on this island. And as he calls out a shriveled man with a beard comes out and thanks him for finally finding him…until he sees Joker’s face and realizes who it is, the one who pit him there in the first place. It’s time Alfred finally told what he truly believes. Aside from the American dream story or the mastermind chaos profiteering story. What’s so unbelievably insane Alfred couldn’t even report what he thought to MI6? We got back one more time to the clown in the alley, if you dig deeper you find that the people laughing in the film soon died after…twisted in pan and grinning. A laughing gas poison that is a kid through the skin, perhaps upon shaking the gloved hand of the boy. All throughout the years people who have come into contact with the Grimms have died in mysterious circumstances. There are records of Grimm investments funding some of the deadliest inventions of the last hundred years. He puts his enemies on his islands then he leaves them there for years until he is ready. But even what Alfred is about to say is something he can’t believe. The children. We have mentioned all the philanthropy the entire issue, he used to use the children from the orphanages but now he uses something else. We are greeted with images of joker covered in dead red children, all linked together and into him through tubes. Somehow he has found a way to use their cells to become something else. Alfred believes there is no Grimm family, there has only ever been one Jack Grimm. Maybe it’s some infernal science or a dark past, but he has become a nightmare that is always laughing at the world but when you finally hear the laughter it’s already too late. Back on that island we see joker fully transform into the monster you can find on the cover of this book, a large decrepit creature with horns and an unhinged jaw with multiple layers of teeth and long clawed fingers. I wouldn’t say he is as big as bane, but he can easily pick someone up and bite into them.
Bruce has heard enough at this point and needs to head out to check on Waylon. Alfred is worried he has messed up for telling him all this, but he needed to know…there are monsters everywhere. Bruce is so lucky they are teasing the batman/Wonder Woman crossover for the next issue as this dude is for sure going to have to survive on his own on one of these islands one day and that will be a nice break and reminder of what he is fighting for. At the moment Alfred has reports that Grimm is on one of his islands…he has outdated information. As batman swims across the city, Joker watches him from the streets. Eventually getting in his purple car ripped from the 2016 suicide squad movie, lol, and heading to his mansion where he is greeted by his butler before setting the dial on his grandfather clock to open a secret door down to his cave!! The classic role reversal, lol. Joker cave!
But Bruce is confused, where is the smoking gun, what is so scary about this guy? While Alfred talks we get a glimpse of Joker on one of his islands, hunting down and slashing the throat of a cougar with his bare hands. Alfred admits that in paper nothing is scary about him, he is the clown helping people across the world smile and laugh. I can’t help but feel the agitation in Bruce’s voice. He wants the story of what Pennyworth believed, not what he knows is true. So Alfred takes us back to the start, to that clowning the alley. The story becomes a bit more twisted with the knowledge young Jack Grimm performed outside a dentist’s office around the time nitrous oxide was first introduced. Jack would release laughing gas into the alley to make the people suggestible and get their money, it wasn’t so much a good act as a trick. When he was growing in the theater world he would fund his rivals and pit them against each other, he took this same mentality everywhere he could make money. He funded both sides of wars, he funds both sides to political leaning news networks, he funds the peace and the war, the crimes and the prison. They might be the most powerful crime family on history by pitting everyone against each other and profiting off the chaos.
Back one the island where Joker is hunting he heard a noise and came across a pieced together hut, someone is arriving on this island. And as he calls out a shriveled man with a beard comes out and thanks him for finally finding him…until he sees Joker’s face and realizes who it is, the one who pit him there in the first place. It’s time Alfred finally told what he truly believes. Aside from the American dream story or the mastermind chaos profiteering story. What’s so unbelievably insane Alfred couldn’t even report what he thought to MI6? We got back one more time to the clown in the alley, if you dig deeper you find that the people laughing in the film soon died after…twisted in pan and grinning. A laughing gas poison that is a kid through the skin, perhaps upon shaking the gloved hand of the boy. All throughout the years people who have come into contact with the Grimms have died in mysterious circumstances. There are records of Grimm investments funding some of the deadliest inventions of the last hundred years. He puts his enemies on his islands then he leaves them there for years until he is ready. But even what Alfred is about to say is something he can’t believe. The children. We have mentioned all the philanthropy the entire issue, he used to use the children from the orphanages but now he uses something else. We are greeted with images of joker covered in dead red children, all linked together and into him through tubes. Somehow he has found a way to use their cells to become something else. Alfred believes there is no Grimm family, there has only ever been one Jack Grimm. Maybe it’s some infernal science or a dark past, but he has become a nightmare that is always laughing at the world but when you finally hear the laughter it’s already too late. Back on that island we see joker fully transform into the monster you can find on the cover of this book, a large decrepit creature with horns and an unhinged jaw with multiple layers of teeth and long clawed fingers. I wouldn’t say he is as big as bane, but he can easily pick someone up and bite into them.
Bruce has heard enough at this point and needs to head out to check on Waylon. Alfred is worried he has messed up for telling him all this, but he needed to know…there are monsters everywhere. Bruce is so lucky they are teasing the batman/Wonder Woman crossover for the next issue as this dude is for sure going to have to survive on his own on one of these islands one day and that will be a nice break and reminder of what he is fighting for. At the moment Alfred has reports that Grimm is on one of his islands…he has outdated information. As batman swims across the city, Joker watches him from the streets. Eventually getting in his purple car ripped from the 2016 suicide squad movie, lol, and heading to his mansion where he is greeted by his butler before setting the dial on his grandfather clock to open a secret door down to his cave!! The classic role reversal, lol. Joker cave!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2025
How to deconstruct The Great American Dream in 25 pages or less. Scott Snyder & Jock reunite yet again to create one of the most stunning and provocative comics issues to date. It is a rather slim tome and yet it is so jam-packed and so smartly layered, artistically and narratively, so twisted upon itself, "repeating patterns in disguised versions" that I couldn't stop myself from reading it multiple times and tremendously enjoying myself on each re-read. I love Jock's creativity here, his panels and overall compositions, the way everything flows following his unique tempo from page to page to match what Snyder is doing with his script and dialogue. I love the muted moody colouring that shapes the atmosphere. The explosive violence. It is a brilliant work of art. And what a final reveal, not unexpected - but still like a punch in the teeth!
I also very much enjoy how Scott Snyder's and Tom King's latest interpretations of The Joker are converging, forming what seems to be a Cormac McCarthy-esque villain, reminiscent of Judge Holden or Anton Chigurh - a character who is a relentless cosmic malevolent force, an inescapable tide of suffering, the death itself. The best part about the Joker has always been his ability to embody deep and prevalent fears and anxieties of the general population, true to each time period, and this work follows the trend manifesting both the Joker in his current form and the Batman, who will need to balance out and humanize him. Snyder is similarly unafraid to hold Absolute Joker as a mirror to the mythos and ethos of Batman himself, allowing us to further interrogate and engage with this iconic and beloved character, while not sacrificing existing awareness or knowledge that we all have to endure in this new era called The Information Age.
I also very much enjoy how Scott Snyder's and Tom King's latest interpretations of The Joker are converging, forming what seems to be a Cormac McCarthy-esque villain, reminiscent of Judge Holden or Anton Chigurh - a character who is a relentless cosmic malevolent force, an inescapable tide of suffering, the death itself. The best part about the Joker has always been his ability to embody deep and prevalent fears and anxieties of the general population, true to each time period, and this work follows the trend manifesting both the Joker in his current form and the Batman, who will need to balance out and humanize him. Snyder is similarly unafraid to hold Absolute Joker as a mirror to the mythos and ethos of Batman himself, allowing us to further interrogate and engage with this iconic and beloved character, while not sacrificing existing awareness or knowledge that we all have to endure in this new era called The Information Age.
January 8, 2026
Hooooly what a banger, absolute batman does not miss!
In this issue the joker arc starts and we get an inteoduction to absolute joker and oh boy is he a menace. Basically alfred tells what he found out and belives about jack grimm the joker. First he thought it was a grimm family, with generations of grimms, that make entertainment their business and support charity in any way possible with their huge wealth. Turns out, its all build on trickery and they use the money to fund both sides of everything to get the most possible gain out of the situation (for example both sides of the war or leftist and rightist politicians). It is said that they never laugh, but that is untrue, they only laugh when faced with their own superior power over others. And the worst of all, alfred concluded there never was a bloodline of the grimms its just the first jack grimm from 1888 who experimented on himself by killing other people and making himself immortal (in the way of not aging) and became the joker.
I really love the way the joker is presented like batman in the main universe, but as a version thats inherently evil and power hungry and despite his similarities the opposite of batman. I also loved the way the story was told again and again and got even more dark and twisted every time and how the saying „live like a clown“ could be twisted to be good and bad, just like the story of the joker.
Absolute peak again!
In this issue the joker arc starts and we get an inteoduction to absolute joker and oh boy is he a menace. Basically alfred tells what he found out and belives about jack grimm the joker. First he thought it was a grimm family, with generations of grimms, that make entertainment their business and support charity in any way possible with their huge wealth. Turns out, its all build on trickery and they use the money to fund both sides of everything to get the most possible gain out of the situation (for example both sides of the war or leftist and rightist politicians). It is said that they never laugh, but that is untrue, they only laugh when faced with their own superior power over others. And the worst of all, alfred concluded there never was a bloodline of the grimms its just the first jack grimm from 1888 who experimented on himself by killing other people and making himself immortal (in the way of not aging) and became the joker.
I really love the way the joker is presented like batman in the main universe, but as a version thats inherently evil and power hungry and despite his similarities the opposite of batman. I also loved the way the story was told again and again and got even more dark and twisted every time and how the saying „live like a clown“ could be twisted to be good and bad, just like the story of the joker.
Absolute peak again!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2025
The Joker has officially entered the Absolute Universe. In this issue, Pennyworth recounts Bruce’s “white whale,” explaining that he has been tracking this mysterious man for quite some time. He walks Bruce through the history of “Jack” and the long line of his descendants, eventually leading to the fortune he commands today.
This story answers several lingering questions about this version of the Joker, while still leaving plenty of mysteries on the table. Pennyworth presents a mix of hard facts and personal theories—some of which may very well be true—which adds an intriguing layer of uncertainty.
I loved the history we’re given for the Joker, and it sets up a wild narrative for when he and Batman finally collide. The ending in particular was fantastic, revealing Jack as this world’s twisted reflection of Bruce Wayne—with his own mansion, his own butler, and even a secret cave hidden behind a clock.
Snyder delivers a dense, compelling issue without showing his entire hand, which I really appreciate. And Jock’s artwork is phenomenal here—stylish, unsettling, and absolutely explosive once the fully realized Joker appears. It’s an incredible chapter that expands the world in bold ways and tees up the next issue, where Absolute Batman will meet “a god-warrior from Hell.”
Five stars!
This story answers several lingering questions about this version of the Joker, while still leaving plenty of mysteries on the table. Pennyworth presents a mix of hard facts and personal theories—some of which may very well be true—which adds an intriguing layer of uncertainty.
I loved the history we’re given for the Joker, and it sets up a wild narrative for when he and Batman finally collide. The ending in particular was fantastic, revealing Jack as this world’s twisted reflection of Bruce Wayne—with his own mansion, his own butler, and even a secret cave hidden behind a clock.
Snyder delivers a dense, compelling issue without showing his entire hand, which I really appreciate. And Jock’s artwork is phenomenal here—stylish, unsettling, and absolutely explosive once the fully realized Joker appears. It’s an incredible chapter that expands the world in bold ways and tees up the next issue, where Absolute Batman will meet “a god-warrior from Hell.”
Five stars!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2025
Before I begin, the quality of these books has been so consistently high that I’ve found myself holding them to a much higher standard than a typical monthly comic. I’ve been thoroughly enjoying this entire run, and this issue is no exception. While I do miss Dragotta’s art, Jock’s work here is excellent. The grotesque, vivid imagery is striking, leaving me equal parts horrified and impressed.
That said, the abundance of double-page spreads did start to feel a bit overwhelming. At times, there was simply too much happening on the page, and I wasn’t always sure where my eye was meant to focus. Still, the story itself is compelling. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding the Joker and the decision to tell the story from Alfred’s perspective, it’s a smart narrative choice that kept me fully engaged and eager for more.
If I have one lingering frustration, it’s that I wanted more of the Joker in his infernal form. It feels intentionally teased, which I understand from a serialized storytelling standpoint, but it also left the origin feeling slightly incomplete for such a monstrous introduction.
No spoilers here, but despite those critiques, I had a great time reading this issue and remain fully invested in where the story is headed. I highly recommend it.
Grade: B+
That said, the abundance of double-page spreads did start to feel a bit overwhelming. At times, there was simply too much happening on the page, and I wasn’t always sure where my eye was meant to focus. Still, the story itself is compelling. I really enjoyed the mystery surrounding the Joker and the decision to tell the story from Alfred’s perspective, it’s a smart narrative choice that kept me fully engaged and eager for more.
If I have one lingering frustration, it’s that I wanted more of the Joker in his infernal form. It feels intentionally teased, which I understand from a serialized storytelling standpoint, but it also left the origin feeling slightly incomplete for such a monstrous introduction.
No spoilers here, but despite those critiques, I had a great time reading this issue and remain fully invested in where the story is headed. I highly recommend it.
Grade: B+
December 11, 2025
The story of document The Grimm family; the story of the shady Grimm Family; the story of the joker. Scary, evil, crazy, mastermind, clown….,.
Joker, who lives in a manor with a butler and a cave, is a man that lives plays both sides, causing war in the world. He uses babies to probably stay young. He developed a serum that provably caused him to become what he is.
Questions and thoughts:
- so he just does things because he likes making people look like fools? He’s playing the world. It’s his little game, the joker here having a different meaning. It means he is making the fool out of everyone.
- does he get rewarded or something by creating a state of chaos in the world?
Batman now has ventured into a world where monsters are real. Is he ready for this?
Oh and THE JOKER IS IN GOTHAM !!!!! It’s a first
Joker, who lives in a manor with a butler and a cave, is a man that lives plays both sides, causing war in the world. He uses babies to probably stay young. He developed a serum that provably caused him to become what he is.
Questions and thoughts:
- so he just does things because he likes making people look like fools? He’s playing the world. It’s his little game, the joker here having a different meaning. It means he is making the fool out of everyone.
- does he get rewarded or something by creating a state of chaos in the world?
Batman now has ventured into a world where monsters are real. Is he ready for this?
Oh and THE JOKER IS IN GOTHAM !!!!! It’s a first
January 4, 2026
I knew it was probably going to be weird, but...
Scott Snyder continues to enthrall, fascinate and baffle us with Absolute Batman, each new iteration of the classic villain pantheon more extreme than the last. After the Kong-sized Bane of the previous storyline, it was clear the Joker would be something crazy and weird, but even this has been blown out of all expectation with the Joker' alter ego Jack Grimm as a billionaire equivalent of the old Bruce Wayne, while the Joker himself is...well, I can't say what it is, but it's bizarre and scary as a Bat-villain should be.
Very keen to follow what happens with this new adversary, and very glad to see Snyder teamed up with Joker maestro Jock on pencils again.
Can't say enough good things about this superb series, it's brilliant.
Scott Snyder continues to enthrall, fascinate and baffle us with Absolute Batman, each new iteration of the classic villain pantheon more extreme than the last. After the Kong-sized Bane of the previous storyline, it was clear the Joker would be something crazy and weird, but even this has been blown out of all expectation with the Joker' alter ego Jack Grimm as a billionaire equivalent of the old Bruce Wayne, while the Joker himself is...well, I can't say what it is, but it's bizarre and scary as a Bat-villain should be.
Very keen to follow what happens with this new adversary, and very glad to see Snyder teamed up with Joker maestro Jock on pencils again.
Can't say enough good things about this superb series, it's brilliant.
December 19, 2025
Not the most fantastic issue in the world, but my rating remains high because of the consistency of the series. This issue is purely setup, giving a backstory for the Joker that may or may not be true (I'll assume it mostly is but later on down the line there might be a surprise surrounding his origins) that is a bit drawn out.
This issue in particular goes for a gambit on repetition to build suspense. If it hooks you, it probably works, if not, the issue may still be interesting albeit a little slow.
This issue in particular goes for a gambit on repetition to build suspense. If it hooks you, it probably works, if not, the issue may still be interesting albeit a little slow.
December 31, 2025
Such a very winded and crazy introduction to this new monster variation of the Joker.
I’m not mad at it, and happy to see that it will tie into Absolute Wonder Woman, but damn Pennyworth is a yapper😂.
All in all. It was a great way to end the Bane arc and shift into deeper storytelling. Can’t wait to dive into Absolute Wonder Woman now. Aside from Absolute Martian Manhunter, AWW is one of the best illustrated in the Absolute universe in my opinion.
Regardless this issue was cool, will have to see what happens next.
I’m not mad at it, and happy to see that it will tie into Absolute Wonder Woman, but damn Pennyworth is a yapper😂.
All in all. It was a great way to end the Bane arc and shift into deeper storytelling. Can’t wait to dive into Absolute Wonder Woman now. Aside from Absolute Martian Manhunter, AWW is one of the best illustrated in the Absolute universe in my opinion.
Regardless this issue was cool, will have to see what happens next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 10, 2025
My thoughts on absolute Joker.
What I liked about absolute joker is the fact that he isn't even a clown he's a demon. He looks like something straight out of a nightmare and I cannot begin to imagine what the fight between Absolute Batman and Absolute Joker will be like when they finally meet. But otherwise this is a very fresh take on the joker Well done mister Scott Snyder this is why I think that you're my favorite Batman comic book writer.
What I liked about absolute joker is the fact that he isn't even a clown he's a demon. He looks like something straight out of a nightmare and I cannot begin to imagine what the fight between Absolute Batman and Absolute Joker will be like when they finally meet. But otherwise this is a very fresh take on the joker Well done mister Scott Snyder this is why I think that you're my favorite Batman comic book writer.
December 10, 2025
I’m scared
I love the amount of detail about Joker we got but also we still didn’t get enough to fully understand the Joker, which I love. The mystery behind Joker and his motives is what makes him so captivating as well as his actual actions. The monster design is fucking frightening and I love love love how he’s literally just fucking Bruce Wayne with his own butler, mansion, and fucking BatCave. Wonder when we’ll see him again….
I love the amount of detail about Joker we got but also we still didn’t get enough to fully understand the Joker, which I love. The mystery behind Joker and his motives is what makes him so captivating as well as his actual actions. The monster design is fucking frightening and I love love love how he’s literally just fucking Bruce Wayne with his own butler, mansion, and fucking BatCave. Wonder when we’ll see him again….
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