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As manga and anime become more popular around the world, it was only a matter of time before we saw some true homages to some of the biggest Japanese titles seep into Western comics. DC’s incredibly popular Absolute Batman title is the latest example, with a variant cover to Absolute Batman #18 that is a direct reference to Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man. Because if there was something that Absolute Batman needed to be scary, it was chainsaw hands.

The variant cover to Absolute Batman #18 in question was drawn by Clay Mann and Seth Mann and sold out within 24 hours on their website. Because nothing moves comics like seeing a hero chainsawing his way through enemies. Tatsuki Fujimoto knows something about that, having created the increasingly popular Chainsaw Man manga.

Though his pose isn’t exactly the same as Denji’s on Chainsaw Man Volume 1, it is pretty clear from the splashes of color in the background and the inclusion of the chainsaw hands that this Absolute Batman #18 variant cover is meant to pay tribute to Fujimoto’s work. And it is a fitting tribute, since Absolute Batman uses those same chainsaw hands in this week's Absolute Batman #17 for the first time. It might seem like an extreme weapon for a hero with a strict code against killing, but Absolute Batman has never been known for playing nice, has he?

Absolute Batman #18 also marks the debut of that universe’s Poison Ivy, which might explain the need for extreme gardening equipment from Batman. While the Chainsaw Man-inspired variant cover is sadly out of stock, Absolute Batman #18, chainsaw hands and all, goes on sale on March 11, 2026.

He is vengeance, he is the night, he is... one of Popverse's favorite subjects. Learn how to do a Dark Knight movie marathon right with our Batman movie guide, and for the true World's Greatest Detectives out there, dive deep into the heart of Gotham City by getting to know Batman with Popverse. Here are some of our latest Batman stories:

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