Nick Dragotta’s cover for Absolute Batman #1 has cemented itself as one of the most legendary comic book covers of the modern age, and it has already been homaged a number of times.
DC’s Absolute Batman has garnered unprecedented success since it debuted in 2024. It’s now up to a ridiculous eleventh reprint, and the first printing is fetching wild prices on sites like eBay. The series, written by Scott Snyder and drawn by Nick Dragotta, re-imagines the Batman mythos from the ground up. It offers up a much grittier take on the hero’s origin. He has not inherited wealth, and Alfred Pennyworth is not a butler, but a hardened operative. Wayne himself isn’t a rich socialite –in his mid-twenties, he works as a civil engineer. The Joker, rather, is the rich business mogul.
Dragotta’s cover for issue #1 is masterful, showcasing the massive, bulkier physique of the Dark Knight, set against the orange sky of Gotham City. It’s eye-catching and serves as an instant reminder that this is a very different kind of Batman story.
Given how quickly the cover has engrained itself in comic book folklore, becoming one of the most sought-after covers in the industry, other creators have homaged it. Even Nick Dragotta himself has homaged his own iconic cover for Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez’ Batman #1. What are our favorites?
The Best Absolute Batman #1 Homage Covers
Fan draws incredible ‘Absolute Battle Beast’ cover
The homages stretch to fan art too. One particular work that impressed us came from benji.stuff on Instagram, who sketched out a breathtaking ‘Absolute Battle Beast’ cover. It might not be an official variant for the Invincible Universe: Battle Beast series, but it should be. Take a look:
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Which of these variant covers is your favourite? Tell us in the comments down below!
Buy 'Absolute Batman Volume 1: The Zoo' here.
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