Absolute Batman’s Ingenious Batsuit Leaves DCU Designs Wanting
DC’s Absolute Universe is making waves, with Absolute Batman at the forefront. But there’s one clever Batsuit detail that James Gunn’s DCU has yet to master. Discover what sets this Caped Crusader apart.
Everywhere you turn, DC’s Absolute Universe seems to be cropping up—on screens, in shops, and across social feeds. At the centre of this surge is Absolute Batman, a reimagined Dark Knight whose arsenal and ingenuity have quickly become the stuff of legend. Unlike his predecessors, this Bruce Wayne is less about inherited wealth and more about what he can cobble together with his own hands and wits.
Reinventing the Cape: More Than Just a Fashion Statement
Gone are the days when a cape was simply for dramatic effect or the odd bit of gliding. In this iteration, the cape is a marvel of collapsible tether technology—solid one moment, vanishing the next. It’s a shield, a glider, a weapon, and even a makeshift grappling hook. The versatility is staggering, and it’s a feature that would not go amiss in James Gunn’s vision for the DCU.
Without the cushion of a billionaire’s bank account, Bruce in Absolute Batman leans heavily on his engineering prowess. The result? A suit that’s as practical as it is lethal. Every component serves a purpose, often more than one, and the brutality of its design is matched only by its effectiveness.
Hidden Arsenal: The Suit That Fights Back
Some of the most memorable moments in this series come when the suit reveals its secrets. The Bat symbol on his chest? Not just for show—it’s actually a detachable axe, which, when paired with his baton, becomes a formidable weapon. There’s a scene where this combination is used to devastating effect, splitting a building-sized adversary in two.
Even the cowl’s ears aren’t safe from reinvention. They double as Bat Knives, ready to be pulled free and used in close combat. The shoulder pads, meanwhile, can sprout Bat Spikes, turning any attempted grab into a painful mistake for would-be attackers. The suit is less a costume and more an extension of Bruce’s own ferocity, a tool for survival in a world that offers him no favours.
Blueprints for a Grittier Universe
James Gunn, now co-CEO at DC Studios, has never been shy about drawing from the comics for inspiration. The Absolute Universe, currently enjoying a wave of popularity, is already influencing his upcoming projects. He’s hinted that the next Superman film will borrow elements from Absolute Brainiac, and it’s not a stretch to imagine other Absolute titles making their way into the DCU.
With the runaway success of Absolute Batman and its companion series, there’s a strong case for bringing more of this grit and inventiveness to the screen. Animated adaptations could capture the raw energy and inventive spirit that have made these comics such a hit, and there’s no shortage of material to draw from.
Absolute Universe: The New Standard?
The creative teams behind these titles read like a who’s who of modern comics. Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta helm Absolute Batman, while Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval take on Absolute Superman. Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, and Martian Manhunter all have their own Absolute stories, each with a unique spin and a fresh creative team.
With all these titles now available on DC Universe Infinite, fans are spoilt for choice. The question remains: which of these bold new takes will find their way into the next wave of DCU adaptations? The appetite for something different is clearly there, and the Absolute Universe seems more than ready to deliver.