[Batman. Photo Credit to Unsplash] 

DC Comics brought Absolute Batman and Absolute Joker face to face for the first time in Absolute Batman #21, released on June 17, 2026.

Their encounter advances a rivalry that reverses the characters’ familiar social positions: Batman is now a working-class vigilante with limited resources, while Joker is a billionaire who represents Gotham City’s entrenched wealth and power.

The confrontation follows the strong commercial success of DC’s Absolute Universe, which was launched in October 2024. 

In the year and a half since its launch, the Absolute Universe series cumulative sales have exceeded 12 million copies, of which Absolute Batman is reportedly selling more than 3 million copies each month.

Written by writer Scott Snyder and chiefly illustrated by Nick Dragotta, Absolute Batman exists in its own continuity separate from the main DC Universe.

Unlike the traditional DC Universe, the Absolute Universe was conceived after the super villain Darkseid reshaped reality using his cosmic power, resulting in a world where familiar heroes and villains have dramatically different roles and backstories. 

For example, the Joker is depicted as a wealthy and influential figure in Gotham City, whereas Batman is seen as a dangerous terrorist who threatens society.

Citizens in the Absolute Universe also do not admire or celebrate heroes. 

Instead, they view them with suspicion and distrust. 

This marks a significant departure from the traditional heroic narratives commonly associated with DC Comics.

Through the Absolute Universe, DC aims to reimagine familiar characters from a fresh perspective while presenting readers with a darker, more complex, and morally ambiguous world.

As the Absolute Universe is completely different from the original universe, the characters are also totally different from the characters we know. 

The biggest difference between Absolute Batman and the original Batman is that he no longer comes from a wealthy family. 

Rather than being the CEO of Wayne Enterprises, Bruce Wayne is an ordinary city engineer who works at a construction site during the day. 

His father, Thomas Wayne, was an elementary school teacher, and his mother, Martha Wayne, was a government employee, meaning he did not inherit the fortune traditionally associated with the Wayne family.

His origin story has also undergone significant changes. 

As a child, Bruce was caught in a mass shooting while visiting a zoo with his father. 

Thomas Wayne was killed in the attack, while Martha Wayne survived.

Absolute Batman is known for his enormous physique and brutal fighting style. 

He is far more violent than the traditional Batman and does not have strong objections to using firearms. 

Although he maintains a no-kill rule, he is much more aggressive and ruthless when dealing with criminals.

However, unlike the Batman of the main universe, he lacks immense wealth, advanced technology, and years of specialized training from around the world. 

As a result, he often struggles against villains with superhuman abilities.

At the same time, growing up with his mother has made him surprisingly warm and compassionate. 

He maintains close friendships and places trust in the people around him. 

Compared to many traditional portrayals of Batman, which often emphasize his independence and cautious characteristic, this version is noticeably more open and emotionally connected to those around him.

By completely reversing the social positions of Batman and Joker, DC has transformed their conflict into more than just another battle between hero and villain.

As DC Comics continues to tease their confrontation, fans are eagerly anticipating how Batman will challenge Joker, who now controls Gotham city from the top rather than in the shadows.