DC Round-Up: ABSOLUTE BATMAN #22 puts Harley Quinn in the driver’s seat

THIS WEEK: Reviews of Absolute Batman #22, Clayface #1, and Bleeding Hearts #6

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 #22

Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Werther Dell’edera
Colorist: Frank Martin
Letterer: Tom Napolitano

Scott Snyder’s Absolute Batman run has consistently balanced all-new stories and robust action with thoughtful character work, but Absolute Batman #22 takes a different approach. Following the fallout of the previous issue, Bruce finds himself on the run, forcing him into an unlikely partnership with Harley. Rather than delivering another action-heavy chapter, Snyder slows things down for a more intimate story, using Harley’s perspective to further explore the fractured world of the Absolute Universe, and her own past.

First and foremost, I have to give props to guest artist Werther Dell’Edera. It was clear from the opening pages that this story would be told through Harley’s point of view, setting the tone for an issue that feels unlike any other in the series.

Story-wise, what makes this issue work is how Harley constantly keeps Bruce grounded. She holds him accountable and reminds him that this world has never been “real,” that everything has been carefully orchestrated by the powers controlling it. That’s the crux of Bruce’s inner struggle throughout the issue. I love how it’s handled because, in an issue whose main purpose is watching Bruce run away, Harley instead forces him to slow down and build a rapport with someone else. It reminded me of the relationships Bruce develops with his Robins in the main DC Universe, making for an interesting contrast when the Absolute heroes are being hunted by the Absolute Robins.

The artwork is what ultimately makes this issue stand out amongst this week’s releases. Dell’Edera brings this rough, crayon-sketched world to life in a way that perfectly complements Snyder’s script. Through Harley’s eyes, everything feels loose, messy, and almost childlike. It looks like a world that could have been drawn with crayons, but that’s exactly the point. Whether it’s Harley, Bruce, or the Robins themselves, it’s important to remember they’re all still kids.

This Absolute Universe has turned everything upside down, creating a world where its youth are forced to fight against a tyrannical regime that has silenced the world for years. Dell’Edera’s scratchy linework and expressive character acting constantly reinforce that idea, while Frank Martin’s colors add just enough contrast to keep the visuals vibrant without losing the energy they bring to the table. Genuinely the way Bruce is drawn has been some of my favorite designs of Abs Bat in a while.

I have to shout out Tom Napolitano, too; their lettering ties everything together nicely. Despite the intentionally rough visual presentation, the dialogue remains easy to follow from panel to panel. Even the lettering allows both the emotional beats and quieter character moments to breathe.

Absolute Batman #22 may not be the most action-packed installment of Snyder’s run, but it’s one of its strongest character pieces. Harley steals the spotlight, Dell’Edera delivers a memorable guest performance, and together they create an issue that reminds readers these aren’t hardened superheroes yet, as much as a 420-pound Batman will fool you, they’re still kids trying to survive in a world that expects them to become something more. If you’ve been enjoying the emotional core of the Absolute line and want a great reveal that I don’t even want to spoil here, make sure to get this issue!

Verdict: Buy

• Jude Ellison S. Doyle, Fran Galán, Patricio Delpeche, and Tom Napolitano’s Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1 was a wonderful surprise. I expected there to be some kind of push from DC to capitalize on the upcoming James Watkins Clayface horror film, and going in, I assumed that’s exactly what this comic would be. I’m glad to say I was wrong. At least in part, because while the timing certainly isn’t a coincidence, this issue fully stands on its own. Galán’s demented depiction of Clayface, despite being a living, breathing organism, comes across as something genuinely supernatural. It’s unsettling, grotesque, and exactly the kind of body horror I was hoping to see. Following the reformation of Basil Karlo, the original Clayface, introducing a new Clayface feels like a smart direction for the series, and after this first issue, I’m genuinely excited to see where it goes.
• Deniz Camp, Stipan Morian, Matt Hollingsworth, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s Bleeding Hearts #6 continues the strong run of this deeply moving series. To be blunt, this issue had a lot of close calls and major reveals, and every time I thought I could finally breathe a sigh of relief, the book reminded me that this was never going to be a happy story. In this case, I felt so much sadness for Poke. I don’t want to spoil what happens in this issue because, readers, it’s brutal. But that’s also what makes Bleeding Hearts so effective. Camp captures the love, grief, and emotional devastation that can exist even in the darkest moments. Make sure to check this issue out because it perfectly captures what Camp has been building throughout this series.

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