Scott Snyder Confirms When Absolute Batman Story Arc Will End

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Absolute Batman holding his axe chestpiece

Published Jul 8, 2026, 12:47 PM EDT

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The following article contains spoilers for Absolute Batman #22.

Typically, alternate versions of classic comic book characters last for only a handful of issues existing outside of the main timeline. However, Absolute Batman and the other titles from DC's Absolute imprint have changed the game.

Nearly two years in, fans cannot get enough of Scott Snyder's working-class reinterpretation of Bruce Wayne and are eager to learn the next development in his war against crime month after month, begging the question of how much time they have to spend with this take on the Dark Knight. Well, the author can at least answer how long the current stage of Absolute Batman's story is meant to last.

Absolute Batman's Story Arc Planned Through Issue #50

It has been 87 years since Bill Finger and Bob Kane first introduced Batman to the world, and the Caped Crusader still continues to thrive in DC Comics' main continuity. It is uncertain whether the Absolute Universe-canon version will last as long, but the author just made it clear that his creation is here for a long time.

During a livestreamed event on the WhatNot app, called "Absolute Access Live," Scott Snyder confirmed that he has the first 50 issues of Absolute Batman mapped out. However, he assures that this is not the end of the series, but will mark the end of a major arc for his take on the character.

"We have it planned through #50, and that's not the end. It's just like, it's the end of the first big cycle, about Batman becoming who he needs to be, fighting Joker. So it's kind of like one giant first year in his life, you know?"

Since the groundbreaking debut issue of Absolute Batman, which has been reprinted 11 times so far, the series has traced the brewing conflict between the eponymous vigilante and his arch nemesis, Jack Grimm V, otherwise known as Absolute Joker. This universe's take on the Clown Prince of Crime serves as an intriguing reversal of the iconic rivals' dynamic, with the aristocratic Grimm representing power and order while Bruce works to disrupt the oppressive system in Gotham City.

On top of that, Absolute Joker is an immortal, demonic creature in his true form who was revealed to be the orchestrator of Bruce's vigilante evolution in Absolute Batman #20, having had his father killed (or so it seems) when he was a child. So, it is only a matter of time before this literal monster is brought to justice at the hands of the hero he believes he owns.

Apparently, that ultimate climax will occur in the Absolute Batman #50, which fans can likely expect to see hitting the shelves sometime in Nov. 2028. In the meantime, there is plenty more for Snyder and the series' main artist, Nick Dragotta, to reveal from this universe. Speaking of...

What Is Going On In Absolute Batman

Scott Snyder is noted for delivering one massive reveal after another in his mega-popular Absolute Universe title. However, its most recent issue, Absolute Batman #22, drops a bombshell that is destined to be one of the series' all-time greatest shockers.

When visiting the grave of his father, Bruce discovers that his remains are missing just as he gets a video call from Absolute Scarecrow, who points the camera at a naked, emaciated, elderly man chained to a wall. That man is identified by the villain as Thomas Wayne, who begs to end the call and let his son continue to believe he is dead. Of course, it is uncertain whether or not this is one of the fear-inducing criminal's cruel tricks.

The same issue also uncovers a tragic detail about the paternal ancestry of Absolute Harley Quinn, who is depicted as an ally to Batman in this continuity. A flashback to the Red Hood Gang leader's childhood reveals that her true father is Absolute Joker. This, let alone the fact that Grimm also mentally corrupted her neuroscientist mother into helping with Ark M's deadly experiments, explains her determination to take him down.

Snyder and guest artist Werther Dell'Edera have made two of Absolute Batman's main protagonists more vulnerable than ever in this chapter. Thankfully, Bruce and Harley have plenty of time to redeem themselves for when their war against Absolute Joker comes to its ultimate conclusion in Issue #50.

Absolute Batman #22 is now available where comic books are sold.