Absolute Batman Confirms Batman Will Face His Most Unbelievable Enemy Yet

1 day ago 9

Published Jul 19, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT

John Dodge is an MTV Writer for CBR who specializes in movies, television, comics, and pop culture. He has a deep knowledge of franchises like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel, and DC Comics, along with a passion for indie and horror titles. An expert on obscure productions from the ’80s and ’90s, John is known for his encyclopedic recall of cult classics like Beetleborgs.

The Absolute Batman is officially heading for the next fight of his life against the one opponent who knows him better than anyone.

Absolute Batman #23 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta is less than a month away, and already it looks like the series' most backbreaking chapter yet. This time, The Dark Knight isn't facing off against the likes of the Robins or Scarecrow, but himself.

Absolute Batman #23

Written by SCOTT SNYDER
Art by NICK DRAGOTTA
Colors by FRANK MARTIN
Letters by TOM NAPOLITANO
Main cover art by NICK DRAGOTTA & FRANK MARTIN
Variant covers by JEFFREY SPOKES; KAARE ANDREWS; JUAN FERREYRA; GABRIELE DELL'OTTO; DAMION SCOTT; MARTIN SIMMONDS; ALAN QUAH; KEN LASHLEY; MARIO "FOX" FOCCILO; DAVIDE PARATORE; IVAN TAO; JAE LEE; SANTA FUNG; BJÖRN BARENDS; MARK BROOKS; MARCO MASTRAZZO; STEPHEN SEGOVIA; and JORGE CORONA

The official solicit synopsis for Absolute Batman #23 from DC Comics reads, "BATMAN VS. BATMAN! In a climactic showdown, Batman is forced to battle an unyielding enemy in not just the Robins but in himself. More than one dead character signals a call for help... and a symbol of hopelessness as more friends become enemies."

Over the past few months, the Batman of the Absolute Universe has suffered through some of the toughest battles of his superhero career, not to mention some of the most shocking revelations of his entire life. Apart from learning of his mother's former place within the Court of Owls, Bruce was given a glimpse at his very own father, Thomas Wayne, who is very much alive, albeit from within a cage lorded over by the Scarecrow.

To make matters worse, Bruce will be left reeling from the discovery that his father never died for quite some time, as The Dark Knight's upcoming battle against himself is set to take center stage for multiple issues. Early solicits promise that the action is guaranteed to spill over into the pages of Absolute Batman #24 in September, ensuring that there is little to no room for Bruce to even begin catching up with the foes that are so far ahead of him.

An Absolute Universe Crossover Is On The Way

Fortunately, the Absolute Batman won't be fighting quite as many battles on his own for too much longer. With the conclusion of Absolute Martian Manhunter by Deniz Camp and Javier Rodriguez, readers were given their first glimpse at which heroes will be joining forces later this year, including Batman.

Absolute Batman writer Scott Snyder previously confirmed that the Absolute Martian Manhunter will be responsible for bringing his universe's heroes together, as well as how the series is being approached on a creative level. "[Absolute Martian Manhunter writer] Deniz [Camp], we're all, we're not co-writing it," Snyder stated.

"It's gonna be [Absolute Superman writer] Jason [Aaron] who's writing the actual thing, but we're all plotting it together," Snyder continued. "So Deniz is there, we're all in the room making it together. So it's really fun in that regard. It's like a big team effort. So Deniz is there, you know, telling his side of what Martian Manhunter will do."

Absolute Batman #23 from DC Comics goes on sale on Aug. 12.