Absolute Batman #7 Review: Gotham Freezes Over

The next story arc of Absolute Batman begins here! From the ashes of the first story arc, “The Zoo”, we enter the 2 part story of “Absolute Zero” This time we are joined by guest artist’s Marcos Martin and colorist Munsta Vicente. While I thought I would miss our regular team of Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin, the guest artists knock it out of the park. I seriously hope that they become the permanent alternate artists on this book. I would LOVE their work on more mini arcs like this. I love the way Marcos Martin draws Batman. He adds a sense of dynamism and scale to Batman’s actions in the city of Gotham. And Vicente’s colors are BEAUTIFUL. There is a clever use of tone here where relies more on deep blues and purples that I think really helps set the tone for the cold atmosphere of our new villain.

Speaking of villain, I’m really interested to see where Snyder is going to take us. This version of Mr. Freeze is almost unrecognizable from his mainline counterpart and this works only its favor. We meet Victor Fries originally as a boy, traveling with his parents into the arctic. But it isn’t until we get to the end of the issue that we get to see him in present day. This version of Victor Fries is darker, as its revealed that his parents have been working on a version of cryotherapy where people can pay to under a cryogenic freeze. The goal of this procedure is for people who have incurable sickness’s to buy more time until a cure is invented.

It’s revealed that Victor has already gone through this procedure, and it’s changed him in horrible ways. Morphing his body into some kind of cryothermal monster. It’s such a cool look that I won’t spoil here. It’s cool and different and creepy and I can’t wait for you to see it.

While I think this a really interesting take, I actually preferred the B plot of this. Which deals with the aftermath of Bruce’s friends finding out he’s Batman. They’re angry with him, and he apologies for getting them involved. He wants to do this on his own. He wants to make sure they are kept of danger, and he’s maybe willing to destroy himself to do it.

As readers, we're not sure if he's always been like this, and this is highlighted through the character of Matches Malone, another member of Bruce's childhood gang whom we haven't encountered yet.

With Matches we see this side of Bruce but turned to 11. He always tries to do things on his own. He always takes the dares and the risks himself and never asking for others help. But Maybe this has been leading to him slowly destroying his life.

I feel like Snyder is trying to define who this Batman is. Is he a Batman that relies on others? Or is he a Batman that is willing to destroy himself alone to keep others out of harms way.

Absolute Batman #7 is another fantastic issue. Incredible art and intriguing story that he’s me itching for the next issue. This doesn’t just feel like a filler arc until Nick Dragotta returns, this feels like Snyder moving forward with Bruce’s emotional journey, while also building into the looming Ark “M”.

Pickup your copy wherever comics are sold!