DC’s Absolute Universe hits a major identity beat next week: Absolute Batman #24, by Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta (colors Frank Martin per Bleeding Cool’s preview credit block), arrives in shops Wednesday, September 23, 2026 for $4.99.
Absolute Barbara Gordon = The Bat
Per Bleeding Cool (Rich Johnston, Sep 19), the issue debuts Absolute Barbara Gordon as The Bat. In this continuity she is a GCPD officer and daughter of former Gotham Mayor Jim Gordon. After her father’s death — pinned by the Joker and the Scarecrow on Batman — she builds a vigilante identity from remnants left behind by Bruce Wayne. That framing is distinct from Absolute Cassandra Cain’s already-published assassin origin.
Official solicit copy (via Bleeding Cool / Comic Book Club Live) leans into the battle-of-self hook: “WITHOUT THE BADGE… WITHOUT HER FATHER… ABSOLUTE BAT ENTERS THE SCENE. In the battle of self, of Batman versus Batman, there can be only one. Everyone Bruce has ever known, ever cared about, or ever loved will face their ultimate inner demons.”
Soft Easter egg (Junction 359)
Bleeding Cool also flags a “Junction 359” label in preview framing as a nod to Detective Comics #359 (1966) — Barbara Gordon’s first comics appearance as Batgirl. Soft Easter-egg context only; this package leads The Bat debut + Sep 23 street, not a full interior spoil dump.
Variants (soft)
Bleeding Cool’s PRH/Lunar aggregation lists additional covers including Clay Mann, Kaare Andrews, and Sozomaika at $5.99 — soft variant note only.
As-of: 2026-09-20 morning ~8:25 AM CT (America/Chicago). Sep 23 street, $4.99, Snyder/Dragotta, Absolute Barbara Gordon as The Bat after Jim Gordon’s death, and Det. Comics #359 Easter egg verified against Bleeding Cool + Comic Book Club Live preview. No full interior spoiler dump.
