It’s about to get icy cold in Gotham City…as we reveal the connections between a young, up-and-coming scientist named Victor Fries, his history with the Ark M experiment, and what it all has to do with the mysterious Joker. Absolute Batman #7 kicks off a two-part story that introduces a classic Batman villain in a new and interesting way.
Absolute Batman #7 is an interesting issue, the first of a two-part story, it feels like it’s abridge from the previous story arc to what comes next. Gotham is locked down, with a more militarized police force and curfew in place after the previous story arc’s events. Bruce is on the mend and figuring out his next moves as something is clearly in the air and going on, he’s not sure exactly what that is.
Writer Scott Snyder does a solid job of creating a cold, stiff setting of a story. You get the sense that this is a different Gotham, one more rigid and ominous, like a hammer is about to be brought down. That’s helped by what’s presented including the mysterious structure known as Ark M, a sprawling complex that seems to be a jail of some sort, but for what purpose, that’s unknown.
You also get a good sense that Bruce is a bit conflicted and confounded by it all. He has to lie low but also needs to find out what’s going on before things spiral once again. All of that leads him to a familiar character, Victor Fries Jr., in a take that feels like the classic Mr. Freeze mixed with the visual horror of Mr. Bloom.
The art by Marcos Martin is good. It’s a different style than Nick Dragotta’s very distinct look for the city, but Martin does an excellent job of really nailing down the rather dour feel of Gotham and the current situation. With color by Muntsa Vicente and lettering by Clayton Cowles, Absolute Batman #7 has a different feel to it than the kinetic and frenetic nature of the previous arc.
Absolute Batman #7 is a solid start that introduces us to some new twists on classic characters and the fallout of the previous story arc. It definitely has a different feel and vibe but it’s a welcome one that shows that the series doesn’t have to be balls to the wall exaggeration with every issue. There’s a horror tinge to this that could give us a very interesting take on things we’ve become familiar with.
Story: Scott Snyder Art: Marcos Martin
Color: Muntsa Vicente Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 8.0 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
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