DC's Absolute Batman series is currently in the midst of its second major story arc, "Abomination," which pits this rookie Dark Knight against a reimagined version of Bane. As we saw in issue #9, Bruce Wayne is hopelessly outmatched against his bigger, stronger, and seemingly smarter foe. And with issue #11, we now have more insight into who Absolute Bane is and what unholy process transformed him from a humble freedom fighter into a hulking assassin in the Joker's employ.
Read on to learn how Absolute Batman #11 reinvents Bane's origin story, but beware of full spoilers for the issue ahead!
Absolute Bane's New Origin Story
Initially, at least, it doesn't seem as though Bane's origin story is being radically overhauled for this new universe. Narrated by Agent Alfred Pennyworth, who deeply regrets not telling Bruce more about Bane before the latter made his ill-fated journey into the Ark-M prison, this issue recounts Bane's traumatic childhood on the island of Santa Prisca. Bane's father is the leader of a group of rebels attempting to rid their home of its imperialist invaders. Both father and son are captured and doomed to spend years fighting for survival inside the infamous Peña Duro prison.
The boy who will become Bane grows strong within the walls of Peña Duro, biding his time until he and his allies can make their escape. Bane's father clings to the inspirational symbol of the quetzal, a bird the rebels use as a symbol of their independence. Each night, the father asks the boy if he can see the bird flying free in his mind. But Bane sees only the image of a white, skull-shaped bird, one that will eventually come to form the face of his iconic mask.
Eventually, the fully grown Bane leads his allies to freedom, and they prepare to storm the mainland and finish their guerrilla war once and for all. But just as they land on the beach, Bane is stopped by a mysterious figure dressed in white. This is our best look yet at the Absolute Universe's Joker.
Though we don't know exactly what conversation plays out between the two men, the Joker makes an offer to Bane that the latter accepts. Bane returns to his father and promptly crushes the man to death in his powerful embrace. It's the first of many lives Bane will claim in service to Joker.
From there, we see hints of the terrible transformation Bane underwent in Ark-M. In this universe, Venom isn't simply a super-steroid that gives Bane impossible strength, but one that unlocks the full potential of his mind. Not only does he absorb fighting styles and battle strategies like a voracious computer, he can consciously control the very cells of his body. Of the many terrible test subjects inside Ark-M, Bane is arguably the pinnacle, hence why Dr. Arkham refers to him as "the prime."
Later in this issue, we see what Joker offered in exchange for Bane's servitude. Joker has transformed Santa Prisca into the idyllic paradise Bane and his father always dreamed of. Bane himself even has a wife and family he returns home to visit. It's a testament to just how powerful the Absolute Universe's Joker is that he can reverse the fortunes of entire nations at a whim.
Absolute Batman's Startling Transformation
Issue #10 showed a captive Bruce making several escape attempts from his cell in Ark-M, only for Bane to emerge each time and painfully subdue him again. Bane promises to break Batman at the end of that issue, and here we see how that scenario supposedly plays out.
Alfred envisions what he knows must be the third and final confrontation between the two men. We see Batman lure Bane into a trap, detonating several booby-trapped cars, only for the villain to emerge unscathed. Bane then savagely beats Batman before using Batman's own ax to slice off both of his arms. Finally, Bane then bludgeons his opponent into submission.
Bane is nothing if not respectful of Batman's moxie. He admires Batman's determination to keep fighting no matter the odds. Moreover, he sees Batman as the potential final test subject for Ark-M's scientists, the one capable of surviving every hellish experiment and emerging the other side as the ultimate warrior. That's what seemingly happens here, as Batman is pumped full of Venom, healed, and transformed into a gun-toting super-soldier.
Except that Alfred's vision doesn't necessarily align with reality. This is the fate he fears for Batman, but not the one that has unfolded just yet. He doesn't know that Bruce has reunited with his best friend Waylon, now transformed into a hideous, super-strong crocodile monster. That alliance might just give Bruce the edge he needs to finally escape.
Alfred also doesn't realize that Bane has a far different plan in mind for breaking the Bat. He wants to crush Bruce's spirit by targeting his remaining friends - Harvey Dent, Eddie Nygma, and Oswald Cobblepot. We have to imagine Bruce's mother Martha (who's still very much alive in this universe) is also in grave danger. Bane may want Batman to escape Ark-M, only for him to fail to protect those he cares about the most. The stakes are certainly high as "Abomination" reaches its midway point.
Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo
Absolute Batman #11 is in stores now. You can also order a copy of Absolute Batman Vol. 1: The Zoo on Amazon.
For more on the Absolute Universe, see why it's DC's most exciting launch in years and check our our interview with the Absolute Batman creative team.
Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky.
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