The following contains major story spoilers for Absolute Batman #14.
Absolute Batman has had no shortage of bombastic, epic moments throughout its ongoing run, which is slated to continue with a climactic issue #15 this month. And while issue #15 is sure to have panels or artwork that eclipse those of previous issues with a grotesque, demonic Absolute Joker featuring in it, artist Nick Dragotta has given himself a high bar to clear with Absolute Batman #14.
Issue #14 concluded Absolute Batman’s “Abomination” arc with as much gore and violence as should be anticipated from writer Scott Snyder’s reinvention of the Dark Knight’s mythology. Less high-stakes than a calculated and triumphant gladiator battle, Bruce Wayne enlists the help of his companions to literally reduce Bane to a brain and a pair of eyes.
That doesn’t mean Batman won unscathed, though, tanking several hits from a Venom-induced Bane, who mutates into a monstrous mound of regenerating flesh. Here, not only is one particular panel the funniest from Absolute Batman #14—a surprisingly humorous issue overall—but arguably the best in a DC comic book this year.
Absolute Batman #14’s Bane Rematch Is Funnier Than Expected
Absolute Bane is no laughing matter, but this panel is
The panel in question depicts Bane’s muscle-bound, towering figure as he has snatched Batman by the cape spikes and is flailing him midair. What’s inherently comedic and even adorable, then, is the way Absolute Batman’s Nick Dragotta chose to draw Batman: firstly, Batman’s size in relation to Bane is minuscule; secondly, Batman’s tiny body is illustrated in a helpless starfish pose as he is flung.
Not unlike a stuffed plushie, this panel’s framing is far too constricted to give Batman much detail at all, including a lack of discernible hands or feet.
Of course, Batman wouldn’t actually look like that if the framing of the illustration was closer, and thus the pose makes for quite a cute and cherubic effect that has won the hearts, laughter, and admiration of many readers, such as Twitter/X user MV, as the rest of Absolute Batman #14’s story has.
Absolute Batman #14’s ‘Starfish’ Panel Is As Impressive As It Is Hilarious
Nick Dragotta’s sense of scale challenges traditional panel limitations
Something special about Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman artwork is his often restrictive and tight grid layouts. There seems to be no limit to how many panels might appear, with the first page of Absolute Batman #14 exemplary of the various shots and images that can be used to convey what splash panels may not. As a result, Dragotta must then express a tremendous amount of scale and scope within relatively claustrophobic panels.
The framing of Bane hurling Batman is funny, especially when considering how menacing and hulking Absolute Batman’s Bruce Wayne is. Still, there are few ways Dragotta could have realistically drawn that shot inside the confines of a panel that small without its scale making Batman look microscopic, let alone having to cut most of Bane out of the panel.
Perhaps Batman’s pose could have been drawn as a limp body with his arms at his sides and his legs together, to be fair, yet there is better motion in a ‘starfish’ pose, and it being amusing isn’t at all a detriment to the art. In fact, it’s what makes the panel as beloved as it is.
- Created by
-
Bob Kane, Bill Finger
- Latest TV Show
-
Batman: The Brave and the Bold
