The Absolute Universe has put dark twists on many classic DC Comics characters. That trend continues in Absolute Batman #7, as Bruce Wayne and his friends mourn one of their own. However, the childhood friend they discuss has a name that might make long-time comic readers blink, as it is a name normally tied to the Dark Knight himself.
Written by Scott Snyder, with art by Marcos Martín, Absolute Batman #7 opens with a wake. Bruce Wayne meets with his childhood friends Harvey, Eddie, Oz, and Waylon to mourn the loss of “Matches” Malone. Discussing their old friend and his shady past prompts Bruce to reveal that he was the last person to see Matches alive.
The first four pages of Absolute Batman #7 may be viewed below.
Absolute Batman’s Matches Malone explained
The idea of “Matches” Malone being an old friend of Bruce Wayne may seem revolutionary. In the classic Batman comics, “Matches” Malone was an alias the Dark Knight used when he needed to gather information. Few recall, however, that “Matches” Malone was a flesh and blood criminal, whose identity Bruce Wayne appropriated.
“Matches” Malone first appeared 1972’s Batman #242. Here, “Matches” was a low-level gang-leader, who accidentally shot himself when the Dark Knight tried to question him. The detective took over Malone’s identity, impersonating him whenever he needed to get information subtly.
“Matches” Malone was given a fuller backstory in the Post-Crisis era. More, he was established as an arsonist for hire, to explain his nickname. This time, however, Batman took on Malone’s identity having believed the career criminal was dead without having witnessed his death.
However, Malone had successfully faked his death and gone into hiding. In a darkly ironic twist, he was later killed by The Ventriloquist upon returning to Gotham City years later. This came about after Malone heard that someone using his name was acting as a police informant.
It remains to be seen if the Absolute Batman will take on his fallen friend’s identity in the same way. The new take on the Dark Knight doesn’t have the same issues with anonymity as his billionaire playboy parallel and is less inclined to subterfuge. In any case, the new story is a clever nod to the original “Matches” Malone.
Absolute Batman #7 arrives in comic shops everywhere on April 9, 2025.
