Batman’s Friends Will Become Their Classic Selves—with a Twist—in the Absolute Universe, Says Nick Dragotta

Artist Nick Dragotta recently shared that Bruce Wayne’s childhood friends, who are familiar faces like Selina Kyle, Harvey Dent, Oswald Cobblepot, Edward Nygma, and Waylon Jones, will eventually become the iconic characters we know, but with a unique twist in the Absolute Universe.

“But they are all eventually become who we know them to be but with that Absolute twist on them and all the relationships tho, it’s not as simple as ‘You’re bad, I am Good’. It’s just not that simple and Batman’s gonna have to wrestle with that and also his actions are actually gonna help some of these people take the turns they do but at the end of the day, it’s like a family so he can’t really divorce himself from it.

“He’s not really there to defeat them and ultimately, they are there to help one another and that’s what friends do,” Dragotta explained.

In this reimagined universe, Bruce Wayne isn’t the billionaire playboy we’re used to. Instead, he grew up in a working-class neighborhood, forming deep bonds with individuals who, in the main DC Universe, are his adversaries.

This shift offers a fresh perspective on their relationships, emphasizing personal connections over traditional hero-villain dynamics, and well gives us something new to speculate about.

As the story progresses, these friendships are tested. Bruce’s actions, even when well-intentioned, influence his friends’ paths, sometimes leading them toward darker choices. Yet, the story underscores the complexity of these relationships, highlighting that they’re not merely about good versus evil but about understanding, redemption, and the enduring ties of friendship.

For those interested in a deeper dive into this reimagined Gotham and its inhabitants, Absolute Batman is available at comic book retailers and online platforms.

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