Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Batman #1AbsoluteBatmandebuts with a massive twist to Batman lore, and it finally addresses a sexist trend running throughout the character’s history. The first issue of the new series by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta introduces a new version of Batman with major changes to his world. Perhaps the greatest change to Batman in this world is the reveal that, while Thomas Wayne was still killed when Bruce was a child, his mother Martha is still alive, having raised Bruce after Thomas’ death.
Martha’s survival and continued presence in Bruce’s life is not only a massive twist to one of the foundational aspects of Batman’s lore, but it alsofixes a sexist trend which has unfortunately become commonplace within the character’s history.
The overwhelming majority of stories featuring flashbacks to Bruce’s childhood focus on his relationship with his father or Alfred. As a result,Martha is often left to the wayside in these stories beyond her death. However, her survivalinAbsolute Batman#1by Snyder, Dragotta, Frank Martin, and Clayton Cowles and her role as a member of the book’s supporting cast ensure that Martha will finally be given her due as a character.
Batman’s Childhood Flashbacks Traditionally Focus on His Father
ButAbsolute BatmanKeeps Martha in the Present Tense
Inthe main Batman canon, the men in Bruce’s early childhood are often given the most importance in his life. Bruce’s narration frequently focuses on his late father, with the greatest example of this occurring inBatman: Year Oneby Frank Miller and David Mazzucchelli, where he talks to a bust of his father before coming up with the idea for the Batman identity. Conversely,Martha Wayne is only mentioned in the context of her death alongside Thomasand is seldom talked about by Bruce of his own accord. When Bruce does talk about his mother, it’s the exception instead of the norm.
The men who raised Batman are given significantly more focus than the women.
The trend often finds its way into alternate universes as well. The greatest example of this is found in the Flashpoint universe, where Bruce dying instead of his parents causes Thomas to become a more brutal Batman and Martha tobecome that universe’s Joker. Consequently, this means that Thomas receives the majority of focus while Martha is relegated to an antagonistic role, with this version of Thomas Wayne even making his way into the main DC Universe with nary a mention of Martha.Martha Wayne is an essential character in Batman’s history, but she’s rarely given focus like Thomas is.
Learn more about the origins of the Flashpoint universe in the pivotal event seriesFlashpointby Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert, available now both digitally and in collected editions from DC Comics.
Thomas isn’t the only character this trend extends to, asmany flashbacks to Batman’s childhood also place a strong emphasis on Alfred supporting Brucethrough the deaths of his parents. The end result, however, remains the same, as the men who raised Batman are given significantly more focus than the women. Even Leslie Thompkins, herself a pivotal character in Bruce’s childhood, has been less prominent as the years have gone by.
Martha Wayne’s Survival Shines a Spotlight on Her
Batman’s Mother Has a Big Role to Play
Absolute Batman’srevelation that Martha Wayneis not only alive and well but still a regular part of Bruce’s life changes that sexist narrative. The idea ofjust one of his parents being alive is a shocking change to the characterin itself, but that his mother is the one who survived shines a brand-new spotlight on her.Absolute Batman’sMartha Wayne is a version of the character who had to contend with the death of her husband all while raising her son in the aftermath of that tragedy. These circumstances alone create a strong dramatic hook that is practically begging to be explored.
But above all else,Martha Wayne’s survival gives her the chance to be exploredand developed as a character in a way that her mainstream counterpart hasn’t been given. Her survival makes her an integral part of Batman’s support system and also creates the opportunity for her to discover that her son is Batman. And given her job as a social worker who works in the Mayor’s office, it’s practically a given that she’ll be involved in the story as a major player.
11 Biggest Changes Absolute Batman Just Made To Classic Batman Lore
The foundations of Batman lore are as famous as the hero, but DC’s new Absolute Batman is rewriting almost everything fans know about the Dark Knight.
The revelation that Martha Wayne survived inAbsolute Batmansets DC Comics on the path to correcting a sexist trend running throughout Batman stories, all by allowing the narrative to give Martha the same level of focus her husband has received. While there is still work to do, this marks a great first step towards changing that trend for the better. While many of the changes set within theAbsolute Universewill likely stay there, hopefully an increased focus on Martha Wayne as a character will cross over into the main DC Universe’sBatmanstories.
Absolute Batman#1is available now from DC Comics.
Batman
One of DC’s most iconic heroes, Batman is the vigilante superhero persona of billionaire Bruce Wayne. Forged by tragedy with the death of his parents, Bruce dedicated his life to becoming the world’s leading martial artist, detective, and tactician. Recruiting an entire family of allies and sidekicks, Bruce wages war on evil as the dark knight of his hometown, Gotham City.
