Weird Science DC Comics: ABSOLUTE BATMAN #12 Review

Plot Analysis

Bruce Wayne awakes after collapsing, his body altered by a venom delivery system woven through his spine and brain. Alfred delivers the bad news: Bruce’s recovery is far from complete, but Gotham waits for no hero. The city’s pain is mirrored in Bruce’s friends—Oswald Cobblepot lies cruelly mutilated in Gotham Hospital, his body ruined but his mind intact. Dr. Thompkins warns Bruce about the devastation, and Jim Gordon offers a rare glimpse of sympathy along with his old commissioner’s grit.

The story pivots to Harvey Dent, burned and broken, his skull cracked as brutal as his fate. Their reunion is tense and bitter—Harvey holds Bruce accountable for the collateral damage, making it clear that even old friendships can’t shield Bruce from the consequences of his crusade. Meanwhile, Eddie Nygma (the Riddler) appears to narrowly escape harm but finds himself challenged to a battle of wits, raising the stakes for everyone involved. Sadly, Eddie’s loss to Bane comes with a heavy price to his mind. A new challenge emerges as the remains of Bruce’s circle rally, each clinging to the hope that Gotham can be saved, even as betrayal and defeat loom.

In a flashback. Selina and Bruce, still acting as Waylon Jones’s trainer, attempt to broker a deal with Carmine Falcone, dangling stolen gold as leverage. The exchange is interrupted by threats and double crosses—with Falcone’s control slipping, he faces uneasy choices. The city’s power players jockey for control, signaling that the old rules are off and chaos is the new normal.

Bane finally moves to breach the hatch of the Bat… Loft (?), triggering an all-out confrontation. Bruce and Alfred arm themselves, determined to meet violence with violence, but the issue closes on a foreboding note: the Red Hood Gang is restless, secrets remain unresolved, and Gotham’s future looks grimmer than ever. “To be continued,” the comic warns, setting up the next showdown where nothing is sacred and everyone has something to lose.

Writing

Scott Snyder’s script packs emotion and grit into every exchange, layering tension through terse dialogue and high-stakes confrontations. The pacing is brisk, leaping from hospital scenes to criminal negotiations with barely a breather. Snyder’s knack for interweaving personal and citywide stakes keeps the story unrelentingly taut. Every character sounds distinct, their motives and flaws revealed naturally through conversation, not exposition.

Art

Nick Dragotta unleashes kinetic compositions and chopped-up panel layouts that mirror the characters’ fractured states. The line work is expressive, brutal, and never afraid to linger on discomfort or pain. Frank Martin intensifies the mood with bold, saturated colors—deep blues and sickly greens amp up the tension, while the shadow work adds raw atmosphere. Action scenes are chaotic but clearly staged, balancing spectacle with clarity.

Characters

The cast suffers spectacularly: Bruce is more haunted than heroic, Waylon teeters between monstrous hunger and desperate hope, and Harvey Dent’s bitterness burns brighter than ever. Oswald’s transformation is poignant, flipping sympathy and horror on their heads. Supporting players like Jim Gordon, Alfred, Eddie Nygma, and Carmine Falcone get sharp moments that reveal layers of vulnerability, calculation, and old-school Gotham tough.

Positives

The standout is the relentless emotional momentum—Snyder and Dragotta refuse to let up on the pressure, showing Gotham as a crucible that breaks heroes, villains, and bystanders alike. The hospital scenes with Oswald and Harvey are razor-sharp, mining real pathos while dodging melodrama. Martin’s colors elevate the book, drenching every page in mood and urgency. The book balances brutality with moments of tenderness, ensuring every twist lands with impact.