How Absolute Batman #25 Changes Everything for Bruce Wayne
In *Absolute Batman* #25, Bruce Wayne finally confronts the Joker, ending the “Straw Man” arc with a fight that leaves Batman badly outmatched. The issue’s final revelation changes the stakes of his crusade, while the series takes a short hiatus for the rest of 2026.
Before the clash, Bruce’s friends urge him to seek psychological treatment, believing Jack Grimm’s claims that he has helped Bruce and acted lawfully. Batman escapes, finds Grimm’s trophy-filled “Joker Cave” and learns the villain may be far older than previously suggested. The Bat, identified as Barbara Gordon, helps Batman escape; he later makes peace with Harley Quinn, but Grimm may expose his identity.
In short
- Batman’s first fight with the Joker ends in a narrow escape.
- Jack Grimm may be centuries older than the story suggested.
- The issue’s final page raises the stakes for Bruce’s crusade.
Explained simply
Batman is the crime-fighting identity of Bruce Wayne, a wealthy man whose personal life and past often shape his efforts to protect Gotham. In this series, Barbara Gordon, known as the Bat, and Harley Quinn are among the people connected to his fight against crime.
The Joker is one of Batman’s central adversaries, but this version of the story also involves Jack Grimm, whose claims have influenced how Bruce’s friends see him. Their differing views of Bruce’s actions and mental health put pressure on his relationships as well as his crusade.