Absolute Batman #25 Reveals Joker's Brutal Master Plan
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In Absolute Batman #25, Jack Grimm turns Bruce Wayne's childhood allies against him, unleashes a demonic true form, and pushes Gotham to the brink.
The monumental climax of the Straw Man storyline has officially arrived in comic shops and digital retailers with the milestone release of Absolute Batman #25, written by Scott Snyder featuring breathtaking illustrations by Nick Dragotta and atmospheric colors by Frank Martin. The issue serves as the culmination of nearly two years of careful narrative buildup, delivering the inaugural face-to-face clash between the Dark Knight and his Absolute Universe foil: trillionaire industrialist Jack Grimm, the terrifying Absolute Joker. However, rather than offering a straightforward physical skirmish, the narrative upends expectations by orchestrating a crushing psychological ambush where Bruce Wayne's closest childhood friends turn against him prior to a subterranean nightmare.
Picking up directly following Bruce's brutal defeat of Scarecrow via crucifixion in a desolate cornfield, the vigilante enters Grimm Manor with unwavering resolve, prepared to settle the score with the architect of his father's demise. Upon entering the opulent estate, however, Batman is not greeted by armed sentries or high-tech traps, but by an unexpected intervention committee gathered in the living room: Waylon Jones (the future Killer Croc), Harvey Dent (the future Two-Face), Edward Nygma (the future Riddler), and Oswald Cobblepot (the future Penguin). In this grounded continuity, all four men shared an intimate childhood bond with Bruce, and they now stage an emotional appeal to halt his crusade.
Childhood allies turn into obstacles at Grimm Manor
The Joker's intricate web was spun in secrecy long before Bruce breached the estate grounds. Jack Grimm visited each of these companions individually, portraying himself not as a bloodthirsty adversary, but as a wounded, empathetic civic leader. Grimm claimed to understand Bruce's deep-seated trauma from his parents' murder, asserting that the vigilante's violent nighttime escapades are symptoms of a catastrophic mental breakdown. Grimm successfully convinced the men that he genuinely fears Batman's towering physical presence and that Bruce desperately requires professional psychiatric care to prevent his own demise.
Swayed by Grimm's manipulative persona and terrified for their longtime friend's life, the four men reveal that the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD) has been summoned and is en route to escort Bruce to a psychiatric hospital of their selection. When Bruce desperately pleads that Grimm is pure evil incarnate responsible for unthinkable horrors, his friends reject his claims and deliver a heart-wrenching ultimatum: if he flees and continues his unsanctioned war, they will permanently withdraw their support and sever ties with him forever.
"You are not well, Bruce. If you walk out of that door and persist in this obsessive crusade against a man trying to heal Gotham, you are entirely on your own. We will no longer stand by your side."
The inverted Batcave and the Joker's true monstrous nature
Refusing to surrender his mission to a fractured establishment, Bruce flees through the corridors as sirens approach in the distance. During the frantic escape, the flooring gives way, plunging the hero into a cavernous abyss beneath the estate. Upon recovering, the vigilante realizes he has landed in a grotesque, inverted mirror of his own Batcave. The subterranean lair features macabre trophies, including a massive dinosaur skeleton and a colossal coin, directly subverting Batman's classic iconography with chilling malevolence.
The most unsettling element of the cave, however, is a vast gallery of glass display cases showcasing armors worn by legendary warriors across world history — from ancient Roman legionnaires and feudal samurai to medieval knights and Polish winged hussars. These suits belonged to historical defenders slain by Grimm across centuries, cementing the Absolute Joker not as a mere human criminal, but as an ancient immortal menace. Positioned alongside these grim relics stands an empty, polished case labeled and awaiting Batman's own tactical battle suit.
Visceral brawl and a clutch rescue by Barbara Gordon
Within this subterranean sanctum, Jack Grimm unveils his authentic physical form: a monstrous, demonic entity sporting sweeping horns, leathery wings, and standing nearly twice the height of Bruce Wayne. The battle that follows is unforgivingly brutal. Bruce unleashes his heavy Bat-Axe and expends every offensive gadget stored in his tactical belt, scoring several fierce hits. Yet the demon's supernatural endurance and overwhelming strength overpower the vigilante, shattering his bones and leaving him defenseless on the cave floor.
Just as Grimm prepares to deliver a finishing blow, Batman is rescued through the sudden arrival of Barbara Gordon, fighting under the tactical persona of "The Bat." Wielding a combat shotgun, Barbara unloads a point-blank blast directly into Grimm's demonic face, stunning the beast long enough to drag the battered hero to safety and make a daring escape.
Connecting to Selina's pregnancy and future publication plans
In the aftermath, the narrative shifts to a secure medical safehouse where Alfred Pennyworth enlists Dr. Harleen Quinzel (Harley Quinn) to stabilize Bruce's traumatic injuries. While undergoing treatment, Bruce delivers a sincere apology to Harley for a bitter dispute that fractured their alliance in issue #22, restoring vital camaraderie among Gotham's resistance fighters.
The final moments of the milestone issue drop yet another seismic revelation: the return of Selina Kyle with the announcement of her pregnancy. As explored in our dedicated reporting on the Selina Kyle pregnancy revelation, this stunning cliffhanger reshapes Bruce's future while leaving readers with profound questions regarding the Wayne legacy.
According to comprehensive coverage from Comic Book Resources (CBR) and official releases from DC Comics, the core monthly series will now enter a brief publication pause, resuming with issue #28 in March 2027 following a major temporal jump. In the interim, DC will release Barbara Gordon's solo origin in Absolute Batman #26 (January 2027), an alliance spotlight in Absolute Batman #27 (February 2027), and the standalone special Absolute Batman: Beyond Ark M #1 co-written by Frank Tieri.
Absolute Batman #25 issue overview
| Feature | Official Detail |
|---|---|
| Writer | Scott Snyder |
| Pencils & Inks | Nick Dragotta |
| Colorist | Frank Martin |
| Page Count | 30 full-color pages |
| Cover Price | $5.99 USD |
| Release Date | October 28, 2026 |
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