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UPDATE: Absolute Batman #1 And Absolute Batman #20 (Spoilers)

UPDATE: A look inside Absolute Batman #20, and how it relates to Absolute Batman #1, #5, #17, #18 and #19... (Spoilers)



Article Summary

  • Absolute Batman #20 reframes key moments from Absolute Batman #1, suggesting Bruce Wayne’s childhood was manipulated.
  • New clues to Thomas Wayne’s death, deepening the conspiracy driving Absolute Batman #20.
  • Callbacks to Absolute Batman hint that Martha Wayne is central.
  • Absolute Batman #20 looks like a pivotal chapter, connecting long-running mysteries and setting up Scarecrow’s next move.

Yesterday, Bleeding Cool mentioned that Absolute Batman #20 from Scott Snyder, Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin might require a little re-reading… and not just the previous issue. But also the first one. There are spoilers below, and a proper big spoiler warning before things get really fruity.

The Conspiracy At The Heart Of Absolute Batman (Spoilers)
Absolute Batman #19 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta

Because, yes, as we recapped, in Absolute Batman #19, it was suggested that The Joker was behind the death of Thomas Wayne as part of a setup to turn Bruce Wayne into Batman

The Conspiracy At The Heart Of Absolute Batman (Spoilers)
Absolute Batman #19 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta

In the preview of Absolute Batman #20, it is also suggested that Jonathan Crane, the Scarecrow, was involved in Bruce Wayne's young life.

How Absolute Batman #1 Totally Set Up Absolute Batman #20 (Spoilers)
Absolute Batman #20 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta

With those panels from Absolute Batman #1, the death of Thomas Wayne at the hands of Joe Chill,  in the report that Jim Gordon gave to Bruce, before his death at the remote hands of the Scarecrow, Jonathan Crane.

How Absolute Batman #1 Totally Set Up Absolute Batman #20 (Spoilers)
Absolute Batman #1 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta

We noted that the objects in the sky were crows. And in Absolute Batman #20? Time for that big Bat spoiler image…

Bat Spoilers
Bat Spoilers

The Scarecrow, visiting Joe Chill in his cell, noted them too when Batman came by… you may have to squint a little…

How Absolute Batman #1 Totally Set Up Absolute Batman #20 (Spoilers)
Absolute Batman #20 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta

But the point is made. And maybe it's not the only one, there was something else at Gotham Zoo in Absolute Batman #5 as well… by Scott Snyder and Gabriel Walta.

UPDATE: Absolute Batman #1 And Absolute Batman #20 (Spoilers)
Absolute Batman #5 by Scott Snyder and Gabriel Walta.

With a laughing Joker figure…

UPDATE: Absolute Batman #1 And Absolute Batman #20 (Spoilers)
Absolute Batman #5 by Scott Snyder and Gabriel Walta.

As well as it all coming down to Martha Wayne's involvement with The Court Of Owls.

The Truth About Martha Wayne In Absolute Batman (Spoilers)
Absolute Batman #17 by Scott Snyder and Eric Canete

More than a member, she was a TAlon, an assassin for the Court.

Big Spoilers: Absolute Batman #18 Teases A Major Absolute Death
Absolute Batman #18 by Scott Snyder and Eric Canete

This is where we left her back in Absolute Batman #18, remember?

Big Spoilers: Absolute Batman #18 Teases A Major Absolute Death
Absolute Batman #18 by Scott Snyder and Eric Canete

It's all connected… Absolute Batman #20 by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta is published this Wednesday from DC Comics.

  • ABSOLUTE BATMAN #20
    (W) Scott Snyder (A/CA) Nick Dragotta
    As the dust settles in the city of Gotham after the loss of [redacted], [redacted] enter the scene ready to hunt and more than one secret will be revealed in this seminal issue. $4.99 5/13/26
  • ABSOLUTE BATMAN #21
    (W) Scott Snyder (A/CA) Nick Dragotta
    SCARECROW'S REIGN OF TERROR CONTINUES! Friends become enemies. Enemies become friends. Final forms are revealed, and Scarecrow's reign of terror threatens to upend everything. $4.99 6/17/2026
  • ABSOLUTE BATMAN #22
    (W) Scott Snyder (A) Werther Dell Edera (CA) Nick Dragotta
    THE ORIGIN OF HARLEY QUINN! As the Robins nest in Gotham's backyard, and Batman faces ultimate defeat, Harley Quinn's origin is revealed. How does Harley connect with Ark M, and how did the Robins fledge from hatchlings to birds of prey? The call of more than one predator will be answered in this issue. $4.99 7/8/2026

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Rich JohnstonAbout Rich Johnston

Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of comic books The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne and Chase Variant. Lives in South-West London, works from The Union Club on Greek Street, shops at Gosh, Piranha and Forbidden Planet. Father of two daughters, Amazon associate, political cartoonist.
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