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Absolute Batman has always pushed the envelope, and its 2025 annual was no exception. Absolute Batman 2025 Annual #1 features a story from Daniel Warren Johnson which finds the Dark Knight going up against a group of violent white supremacists. Needless to say, Batman isn’t gentle with them, and there’s one iconic panel where the Dark Knight snaps one of their arms.

Johnson knew it was an important story to tell, and he’s thankful DC editorial was receptive to it. “It was Katie Kubert I pitched to,” Daniel Warren Johnson says during a conversation with David Wextler on Direct Edition.  “I definitely pitched it like, ‘Here’s my idea. If you don’t like it, that’s okay. But I’m not doing anything else.’ We got on a call, and I was like, ‘This is kind of intense, and if it doesn’t fit, that’s okay, but this is the idea.’ And she was like, ‘I’m vibing. Let’s do it.’ And the rest is history.”

However, Johnson was worried he was going too far, and briefly considered toning down the topical messaging.

“There were times writing that script where I was wondering if I should ease off the gas or make it be like a Mr. Freeze type villain or something, and kind of code everything. You have to read between the lines. I think it’s a bit of my personality, I have a bit of a bull in a china shop kind of approach. So, I just kind of leaned in.”

Funnily enough, bull in a china shop also describes Absolute Batman. Is it any wonder Johnson has such a good grasp on the character?

Here's an update to date guide on the Absolute Batman release schedule.