Absolute Batman and Joker’s Most Brutal Battle Yet Teased on Variant Cover

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Published Feb 5, 2026, 10:05 AM EST

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DC Comics has been teasing an epic face-off between Absolute Batman and Absolute Joker since the first issue of this new, acclaimed continuity. The most astonishing sneak peek at this quarrel yet has been unveiled.

Comic book artist Dexter Soy shared a variant Absolute Batman #18 cover on social media, which appears to depict the aftermath of a brutal brawl between this alternative version of Bruce Wayne and his foe.

The image shows The Dark Knight standing on top of the lifeless, or perhaps exasperated, oversized head of The Joker, in full monster mode, in the middle of a spooky forest. Swung over the vigilante's shoulder is his battleaxe, which also appears to be much larger than usual, considering the melee weapon's head doubles as his chest. Maybe Bats needed to upgrade to take on such an imposing beast.

It is not clear whether this fight will take place in Absolute Batman #18, based on the official synopsis for the upcoming issue of writer Scott Snyder's beloved series. The story revolves mostly around a bizarre attack on Gotham City by bizarre creatures controlled by Absolute Poison Ivy, whose debut was teased back in Dec. 2025, but it also involves The Joker forming a new partnership with an unnamed ally.

The issue's official cover art also suggests that Batman has joined forces with a new ally of his own in the form of Barbara Gordon. The daughter of Mayor James Gordon was introduced in the first issue of Absolute Batman as an officer of the Gotham City Police Department. Who is to say that this will be the closest the series will see her to becoming Absolute Batgirl?

Absolute Batman is part of DC Comics' Absolute Universe continuity, which was created and currently overseen by Snyder and first launched in 2024. The imprint specializes in reinventing classic comic characters in refreshing and surprising ways, such as making Bruce Wayne a middle-class construction worker with a genius IQ. Yet, Absolute Joker shares less of a resemblance to his traditional counterpart than most.

A Brief History Of Absolute Joker So Far

First look at Absolute Joker's monstrous form

That gargantuan, almost demonic depiction of The Joker in Dexter Soy's Absolute Batman #18 variant cover is not meant to be some fantastic, metaphorical representation of the criminal being a "larger than life" obstacle for the vigilante. That is what he actually looks like in this universe.

The comic's first official reveal of the villain's unsettling transformation, as seen in Issue #14, is considered one of the most essential Absolute Batman moments yet. However, the character's actual debut, at the end of the series' premiere issue, depicts him as the kind of suave, handsome billionaire playboy that Bruce Wayne is typically depicted as.

That is per Snyder's intention of honoring the long-held tradition of Batman and Joker being opposites. Since the point of the Absolute Universe is to reinterpret characters as wildly different portraits of themselves, it only makes sense that these longtime foes would take on the personas of each other's more recognizable interpretations, while remaining on the same opposing side of the law.

It is also in Absolute Batman #14 when Absolute Alfred Pennyworth, portrayed as a veteran secret agent who allies with Bruce Wayne in this universe, explains the bizarre lineage of The Joker, whose real name is Joseph "Jack" Grimm V. Pennyworth, having investigated this person for years, suspects that there have not been five Jack Grimms, but one undying monster who has been elusively wreaking havoc on the world for generations.

There is still plenty about Absolute Joker that has yet to be revealed, and DC fans cannot wait to learn more!

Absolute Batman #18 is set to fly onto the shelves on Mar. 11, 2026.