THIS WEEK: Checking out Absolute Batman #18, Bleeding Hearts #2, Sirens Love Hurts #2, and more comics you won’t want to miss!
Note: the review below contains spoilers. If you want a quick, spoiler-free buy/pass recommendation on the comics in question, check out the bottom of the article for our final verdict.
Absolute Batman #18
Writer: Scott Snyder
Guest Artist: Eric Canete
Colorist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
I recently had a discussion at my local comic shop that really stuck with me. It’s rare that an entire comic shop breaks into a debate, at least in San Diego. That said, the debate was about which of the current absolute titles were actually making a decent impact with their writing.
Of course, Absolute Martian Manhunter came up, then the Absolute Trinity, going all the way down to Absolute Flash. It was the kind of discussion that loses its plot after a little while, but what stuck with me was how involved the fans were. Five different people of different backgrounds had really passionate takes about these books, and they were all united by a line of comics that hasn’t even turned two yet. 
Seeing that firsthand was incredible, and it reminded me that you will currently find many retailers talking about readers jumping back onto comics or discovering new series because of the Absolute line. In part, this is due to its massive popularity, with 8.2 million units sold, and counting.
Then the shop owner added something interesting. He said Absolute Batman feels like it will eventually plateau, and at some point it will settle into a normal pace once the new ideas stop exciting readers as much.
I thought about that while reading Scott Snyder and guest artist Eric Canete’s Absolute Batman #18. The last issue had been a lot of fun. Readers had already encountered this universe’s Poison Ivy earlier in the series, but finally seeing what she had become, a creature that felt closer to a biblically accurate angel than a plant, left me wanting much more from the story. This was also in part because of the excellent mainline run by G. Willow Wilson. I was excited to see this kind of eldritch horror version of Ivy finally appear on the page.
Seeing her made me think back to this universe’s demonic Joker, and I returned to what the shop owner had said. Bruce has gone from feeling like a redefined version of his mainline counterpart to slowly building toward fighting literal demons. The story has clearly been building in that direction for some time.
The creative team clearly had a lot of fun with this issue. Ivy’s powers are gnarly, and the creatures she creates feel similar to the mold monsters from Resident Evil 7, splattering into pollen and dust under each heavy swipe of Bruce’s chainsaw gauntlets.
Kudos also to colorist Frank Martin. His colors make the world feel overwhelmingly orange, with Batman standing out as a massive black wall in the middle of it all. In a strange way, it almost makes him feel like the alien presence in the scene, rather than the inhuman plant creature he is fighting.
At the same time, the comic felt a bit rushed. Big revelations for Bruce land quickly, and his snap back to reality doesn’t feel fully earned. He is clearly self-destructing because he knows he is in over his head, and even moments of advice from Gordon come across as reminders rather than guidance. Ivy is defeated, and the story threads surrounding Bruce, his friends, and his mother remain unsettled.
Even so, the issue highlights why the Absolute line continues to matter. The art, the stakes, and the willingness to push characters into new, even terrifying territory keep readers invested. While not every moment lands perfectly, Absolute Batman #18 exemplifies the line’s ability to combine spectacle, horror, and character growth in a way that still sparks conversation, both in comic shops and on the page.
Ultimately, Absolute Batman #18 shows both the strengths and growing pains of the Absolute line. The storytelling, art, and ambition continue to push characters into bold, sometimes terrifying territory, even if certain beats feel rushed. What remains clear is that these titles are sparking conversations, reigniting fan excitement, and proving that, for now, the Absolute line is still a major force in comics.
For now, it remains something to keep thinking about.
Verdict: Buy
In Sirens Love Hurts #2, writer Tini Howard and artist Babs Tarr once again deliver. In short, it’s a lot of fun mixing heavy topics with beautiful designs. Miquel Muerto use of colors alone was enough to make this comic look amazing, even if the story had not been so interesting. The artwork alone would have been enough to make people want this series, and thankfully, Howard delivers sharp dialogue while capturing the personalities of the Sirens, making them endlessly compelling.- Bleeding Hearts #2 by Deniz Camp and Stipan Morian shifts from the first issue’s focus on death to survival and the fragile start of new life. Only a few pages in, Mama gives birth to Rabbit, her only living connection to her late husband Sol. The story is filtered through Rabbit’s perspective, showing a child trying to make sense of a world shaped by loss. Mama never gets a real name, she’s just “Mama”, which makes sense, because to Rabbit, that’s all she is: a protector, a safe place in an otherwise dead world. Matt Hollingsworth’s colors bring this to life, mixing grim blues and greens of the present with warm tones from memories of Sol, when life felt brighter. Some moments hit like a truck: Rabbit asking if Mama had cried when she thought they were going to die lands so hard in its simplicity. Camp and Morian tell a deeply human story about survival, loss, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going this week and you won’t want to miss it.
- I just can’t stop talking about this current run of Action Comics. Writer Mark Waid and artist Skylar Patridge deliver another issue this week that understands Clark Kent to his core. This issue dealt with Clark’s return to Metropolis; he seems disconnected, and something is making reality not what it seems. Even then, he still tries his best and even gets overwhelmed because so much was happening, he realizes that he just cant be everywhere. The inner dialogue that Waid delivers is great and its just another reminder why this series is a nice return to form.
In Sirens Love Hurts #2, writer Tini Howard and artist Babs Tarr once again deliver. In short, it’s a lot of fun mixing heavy topics with beautiful designs. Miquel Muerto use of colors alone was enough to make this comic look amazing, even if the story had not been so interesting. The artwork alone would have been enough to make people want this series, and thankfully, Howard delivers sharp dialogue while capturing the personalities of the Sirens, making them endlessly compelling.
Bleeding Hearts #2 by Deniz Camp and Stipan Morian shifts from the first issue’s focus on death to survival and the fragile start of new life. Only a few pages in, Mama gives birth to Rabbit, her only living connection to her late husband Sol. The story is filtered through Rabbit’s perspective, showing a child trying to make sense of a world shaped by loss. Mama never gets a real name, she’s just “Mama”, which makes sense, because to Rabbit, that’s all she is: a protector, a safe place in an otherwise dead world. Matt Hollingsworth’s colors bring this to life, mixing grim blues and greens of the present with warm tones from memories of Sol, when life felt brighter. Some moments hit like a truck: Rabbit asking if Mama had cried when she thought they were going to die lands so hard in its simplicity. Camp and Morian tell a deeply human story about survival, loss, and the quiet strength it takes to keep going this week and you won’t want to miss it. 
I just can’t stop talking about this current run of Action Comics. Writer Mark Waid and artist Skylar Patridge deliver another issue this week that understands Clark Kent to his core. This issue dealt with Clark’s return to Metropolis; he seems disconnected, and something is making reality not what it seems. Even then, he still tries his best and even gets overwhelmed because so much was happening, he realizes that he just cant be everywhere. The inner dialogue that Waid delivers is great and its just another reminder why this series is a nice return to form. Miss any of our earlier reviews? Check out our full archive!
And check out the Beat’s other recent comics reviews!
