ABSOLUTE BATMAN : ARK M Special #1 (DC COMICS)

Arkham Asylum

A fixture of Gotham City for decades. The home of the criminally insane. Its’ reputation has been one of housing the most dangerous and corrupt. That isn’t always the patients. It is a place many of Batman’s rogue wind up residing in after an encounter with the Dark Knight.

In the Absolute Universe, it has taken on a whole other life of its own. The work being conducted there is not any plans of rehabilitation. It is more of fear and control. Waylon Jones and Bane are notable names attached to the devious place. How did this all come to be?

ABSOLUTE BATMAN : ARK M Special #1 by Scott Snyder, Frank Tieri, Josh Hixson, Roman Stevens & Clayton Cowles (DC COMICS) reveals the tragic tale of the Asylum’ beginnings and dark future.

Let’s take a deeper dive into what unfolds now.

ABSOLUTE BATMAN : ARK M Special #1 by Scott Snyder, Frank Tieri, Josh Hixson, Roman Stevens & Clayton Cowles (DC COMICS)

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

Anytime you put Snyder and Tieri on the same book, it’s an instant win. The pair have concocted a terrifying tale of loss and tragedy. Dr. Amadeus Arkham is a broken sole in 1945. Readers can sense this by the dialogue. The pain felt with each word is unavoidable. This gets worse when a potential buyer arrives to inspect the building. From here, the story dives into his mother’s breakdown and deadly actions. It is a very intense tale which gives young Amadeus the motivation to build a haven for helping others. As they say, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions. It doesn’t help matters a devil resides inside the walls.

Readers watch as one patient stands out for their sickness and villainy. The writing portrays him as a true psychopath. Arkham is also a reluctant foster father to an abandoned child in this stage. The move does provide him hope for normalcy. This lasts until one action is done that dominos into full chaos. The shame of a breakout falls squarely on Arkham. Readers watch as this leads to a massive turning point in the story. The writing shines in executing this portion to full potential. It helps to push events into present time. Once here, more disturbing revelations come to light. This is sure to floor readers who won’t see it coming. The mood becomes more chilling as current plans are exposed. This leads to an introduction long teased for Batman’s future. A spectacular read

READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW HERE!

Hixson and Stevens capture the dire times of the 40’s with each dark panel. The mood continues to grow when the buyer arrives to meet Arkham. It moves events into the flashback portion with Arkham’s mother. The pages are flooded with shocking reactions and violent acts. This is one not for the sensitive. Its’ aftermath leaves a sliver of hope in its’ wake. It doesn’t take long before one prisoner stands out. The small red coloring hints at the devil behind the walls. Coloring also tips a hand later in the chapter with another important character.

Once the young orphan comes with Arkham to work, the hostage situation is pouring with fear. Only the young boy doesn’t seem afraid. This moves into Arkham’s darkest secret of the breakout. The pages are covered in bloody aftermath of inmates escape. Hixson hammers home the shame Arkham carries to the fright of another discovery. Readers watch as the buyer seems to be dancing around the story. It leads into a disturbing reaction to news under a false guise. This sequences wraps up with a hellish smirk as everything goes up in smoke on Arkham’s dreams.

Readers watch as present day takes over the closing pages. The art throws a few exclamation points onto secrets reveal. They help to cement the impact of what is shown. Batman is given a solid showcase when mentioned in these pages. A half page brings out his presence in a monster way. This is a strong portion but events conclude with a haunting full page. Something evil is lurking in wait. There is no doubt of this after the art team’s work.

FINAL GRADE: 9.7

The history of Ark-M is filled with terror and tragedy as it heads into a new avenue and a caped crusader waiting in the wings. Snyder and Tieri deliver on an intense horror tale via phenomenal writing. Hixson and Stevens’ art structures a somber landscape based on broken dreams and no hope. Just when you think Batman’s world couldn’t get any more Dark, this chapter screams how it hasn’t scratched the surface yet. Don’t miss this one.

Let me know your thoughts on ABSOLUTE BATMAN : ARK M Special #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!