DC Comics has recently unveiled its innovative Absolute Universe, garnering both critical and commercial praise. Within this new realm, Batman finds himself in one of the most uniquely dark settings yet. After facing a series of reimagined classic villains, Batman is now gearing up to confront the formidable mastermind known as Bane. However, Bane’s designer and co-creator has expressed significant dissatisfaction with his character’s new appearance in the Absolute Universe.
This alternate continuity diverges from DC’s main canon, allowing for a fresh reinterpretation of established character lore. In Absolute Batman, crafted by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta, Batman’s origin receives a significant overhaul, presenting a more grounded and realistic narrative, particularly now that Bruce Wayne finds himself stripped of his vast fortune.
Following the announcement of Absolute Bane’s introduction in an upcoming issue of Absolute Batman, intense discussions erupted among fans online. Bane’s co-creator Graham Nolan took to X to voice his concerns about the redesign, labeling it as “a terrible abomination” in stark contrast to his original vision for the character.
The Over-the-Top Redesign of Absolute Bane in DC’s Absolute Batman Book
Insights from Bane Co-Creator Graham Nolan
Graham Nolan openly criticized the redesign of Absolute Bane, stating his disapproval of the character’s new look. After sharing Nick Dragotta’s illustration depicting a colossal Bane overshadowing an already large Batman, he bluntly remarked, “As the designer and co-creator of Bane, this is a terrible abomination,” articulating his genuine feelings about the latest depiction of his creation. He acknowledged that while many artists have provided excellent interpretations of Bane, “This is not one of them.” Graham also raised concerns regarding Bane’s disproportionately large head, expressing that it detracts from the character’s overall design, and shockingly remarked that even The Dark Knight Rises’ version of Bane failed to meet his expectations!
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Co-creating Bane alongside writers Chuck Dixon and Doug Moench for the iconic Batman: Vengeance of Bane #1, Graham Nolan envisioned Bane as a muscular character with a relatively realistic physique. However, the new Absolute redesign has amplified this portrayal to an extreme, particularly in terms of Bane’s exaggerated musculature, tiny head, and prominent Venom hoses. While Nick Dragotta’s distinctive artistic style allows for more extreme interpretations of characters, Graham Nolan’s critique highlights a valid concern regarding the character’s recent design evolution, which some may argue has veered too far from the essence of Bane.
The Bold Redesign of Absolute Batman: A Perfect Fit for the Absolute Universe
Anticipating Absolute Bane’s Premiere in Absolute Batman #9
Scheduled to make his highly anticipated entrance in June’s Absolute Batman #9, Absolute Bane is a character that Scott Snyder has long intended to introduce since he began crafting the storyline for Absolute Batman. Bane’s involvement is set to pose the most significant challenge that Batman has ever encountered, which is particularly concerning given that Bane has previously shattered Batman’s back in the established DC continuity and may be poised to do so again. Although Absolute Batman boasts impressive dimensions, Absolute Bane is even larger, and while this redesign aligns well with the distinctive tone of this particular continuity, Bane’s co-creator holds a contrasting view, ensuring that this Batman villain’s latest redesign will remain a hot topic for discussion in the near future.
Source: @gnolan12
Batman
- Created By
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Bob Kane, Bill Finger
- Alias
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Bruce Wayne
- Alliance
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Justice League, Outsiders, Batman Family
- Race
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Human
- Franchise
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D.C.
