DC‘s new Absolute Universe has been defined by twists and turns. Some of those twists have been subtle. Others have been big, like Absolute Batman only losing his father rather than both his parents. However, the latest issue featured a shocking death that will forever change the Dark Knight in the Absolute Universe.
Written by Scott Snyder, with art by Nick Dragotta, Absolute Batman #19 opens with a catch-up on current events. Shunned by the friends who were hurt by his actions as Batman, Bruce Wayne is determined to go it alone from now on. This leads him to throw himself into his alter ego even more than before. He also steps-up his efforts to investigate reclusive billionaire Jack “Joker” Grimm V, who has become much more public in recent months.
Out of the blue, Bruce is contacted by Jim Gordon. In the Absolute Universe, Jim Gordon was the former Mayor of Gotham City rather than a Police Commissioner. He was also a second father of sorts to Bruce Wayne, having been secretly seeing his former Deputy Mayor, Martha Wayne. Batman agrees to the meeting, setting into motion a tragic chain of events.
What Batman ally just died in the Absolute Universe?
Gordon explains that he began looking into a few things and uncovered a conspiracy that led to Batman. He becomes increasingly agitated trying to discuss the files he found. Ultimately, he tries to burn the files and accidentally sets himself on fire.
In the midst of this panic attack, a murder of crows begin to attack Jim Gordon, pushing him towards the roof edge. He has just enough time to apologize to Bruce before trying to jump. This is all ultimately revealed to be the work of the new Absolute Scarecrow.
Bruce tries to catch Jim Gordon, but he slips from his coat and hits the ground. This causes the crowd below to presume Batman threw him off the building. It also leads to the current mayor, Hamilton Hill, declaring war on Batman. This further sets up the announcement of the Robin Program intended to bring Batman to justice.
The death of Jim Gordon is a major shift to the classic Batman mythology. While the character had always acted as a sort of spiritual father to Bruce Wayne in the main DC Universe, his death here somehow hits harder because they hadn’t developed that relationship yet. It is also shocking to see a character known for his moral fortitude be reduced to a craven coward, even through Scarecrow’s machinations.
Absolute Batman #19 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
