Absolute Batman Changes Mr. Freeze in 2 Major Ways

The Absolute Universe has changed many of the classic DC Comics villains. In the case of Absolute Batman, most of the Batman rogue’s gallery have been friends of Bruce Wayne since childhood. The Absolute Mr. Freeze is something else entirely, with two major differences from the original.

Written by Scott Snyder, with art by Marcos Martín, Absolute Batman #7 finds the titular hero investigating the construction of a supermax prison called Ark M. This investigation is prompted by the altogether strange death of Bruce’s childhood friend, “Matches” Malone. The trail leads Bruce to V-Core; a cryonic technologies firm created by one Dr. Victor Fries. Longtime Batman readers will recognize this name as the secret identity of Mr. Freeze.

However, it is quickly revealed that both Dr. Fries and his beloved wife, Nora, are in cryogenic suspension. V-Core is now managed by their son, Victor Fries Jr. The younger Fries is a strange man, whose aloof mannerisms and particularly casual display of his parents’ frozen bodies amid other specimens disturbs even the normally stoic Batman.

New Mr. Freeze has a chilling touch

The second change is revealed in the closing pages of Absolute Batman #7. While discussing his parents’ work, Victor Fries Jr. reveals that he is the only patient his parents every revived after cryogenically freezing them. He also claims that he felt everything while in his cryonic coma and the pain was unimaginable. Far from being a healing force, the ice was fury and reckoning, creating monsters. The issue ends with Fries declaring himself such a monster, as he reaches out for Bruce Wayne and seems to leech the heat from his body.

This freezing touch is new to Mr. Freeze, who originally had no cold creation powers despite his altered physiology. It is reminiscent of the villain Killer Frost, whose superpowers drained heat rather than freezing objects solid. This makes the Absolute Universe version of Mr. Freeze even more deadly than the original.

Absolute Batman #7 is now available at comic shops everywhere.