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Written by: Scott Snyder
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Art by: Nick Dragotta
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Colors by: Frank Martin
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Letters by: Clayton Cowles
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Cover art by: NIck Dragotta, Frank Martin (cover A)
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Cover price: $4.99
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Release date: October 8, 2025
Absolute Batman #13, published by DC Comics in October 2025, puts Bruce Wayne back in the fray as he rallies allies and confronts monsters, literal and figurative, beneath Gotham’s streets.
First Impressions
There’s no time to breathe in this issue. It barrels forward, all bark and bite. The stakes are real, the monsters uglier, and even the heart-to-hearts happen at a sprint. Every page flickers with tension, but the “wow” meter never hits eleven.
Recap
Last issue, Bruce Wayne barely scraped out of Ark M after enduring Bane’s torturous experiments, fused to a venom delivery system that keeps him going on borrowed time. Penguin is ruined in the hospital, Two-Face’s bitterness boils over, and the Riddler has nearly lost his mind—Bruce’s friends are now his broken rogues, and Bane’s made every loss personal. Desperation pushes Bruce to rally battered survivors, as Selina and Alfred help him piece together a final play for Gotham’s soul while the Red Hood Gang simmers in the shadows, ready for the next power grab.
Plot Analysis
The issue opens on backroom plotting with Falcone before Waylon’s big fight. Selina and Bruce are forced to break the rules, and even Selina can’t help encouraging Bruce’s plan. There’s no trust left, not among thieves, not for Catwoman, and certainly not for Waylon, whose pride side threatens to tear the group apart when Bruce finally tells him he cooked the fight to save his friend.
Now, Bruce gathers intel on the Red Hood collective, now led by Harley Quinn, whose new look and flat introduction drag rather than dazzle. It isn’t long before a showdown erupts; the so-called “kids” of the Red Hood make their move, but their rebellion rings hollow. Harley’s debut as leader falls flat, lacking the signature spark or chaos she’s known for.
Meanwhile, Bane and his mad scientist push their venom project to the max, crowing about “inspiration” and unicorn metaphors as bodies mutate and tension ticks up a notch. Gotham’s shadowy elite is exposed on live broadcast. Not by Bruce’s might, but by his need to burn all the rot out, whatever the cost.
By the final pages, Batman calls Bane out for a midnight rumble at Veterans Arena, stakes set and betrayals burned in. There’s no more running. Bruce is throwing himself at destiny, promising to use venom and destroy his oldest foe, city rules be damned.
Writing
Snyder’s script hammers the pacing. Every scene shifts quickly with dialogue that pops. The story’s taut, never dragging, and character motivations hit hard, especially in fraught confrontations and inner monologues.
Art
Dragotta’s layouts jump off the page: jagged, expressive, and tuned to the chaos in each scene. Martin’s bold color work spikes the mood, making even static panels pop and action sequences punch harder. Shadowy, saturated hues blanket the book, keeping Gotham as moody as its cast.
Characters
Bruce is battered but unbowed; Selina’s support is fierce but fraught, grounding their exchanges in history and hurt. The Red Hood kids wield bravado with little bite, and Harley Quinn’s arrival is so understated it practically disappears. Bane is monstrous but never subtle, and the supporting cast either shines in distress or fades into the shadows.
Positives
The issue’s greatest triumph is pacing. Every beat lands with energy, no scene lingering longer than necessary. Character work cuts to the quick, with terse, honest exchanges revealing more than any monologue. Art is relentless, giving every blow weight and every grimace depth, making Gotham feel alive and on the brink at every turn.
Negatives
For all the momentum, the issue struggles to deliver a true jaw-dropper. It’s all steady escalation, but the climax never explodes. Harley Quinn’s redesign and debut fizzle, missing her trademark mania or visual punch. Even the big moments, like challenging Bane, feel obligatory, more box-ticking than bombshell.
Final Thoughts
7.8/10
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