The Absolute Universe presents a fresh and fascinating take on Batman’s iconic villains, flipping the script on their usual roles as Gotham’s most notorious criminals. In Absolute Batman, Bruce Wayne’s classic enemies—Killer Croc, Oswald Cobblepot (The Penguin), Selina Kyle (Catwoman), and others—are no longer mere foes he encounters in his fight against crime. Instead, they share a much more personal history with Bruce, having grown up alongside him as childhood friends. This twist on the Rogues Gallery adds a layer of complexity to the relationships between Batman and these familiar faces, transforming their dynamic from straightforward hero-versus-villain into something deeper, more emotional, and far more intriguing.

Let’s explore how this reimagining of Batman’s enemies plays out in the Absolute Batman 2024 storyline, focusing on key figures like Killer Croc, Oswald Cobblepot, and Selina Kyle, and how their past friendships with Bruce Wayne influence the larger narrative.

Childhood Friends in Gotham: A New History for Familiar Faces

In the Absolute Universe, Bruce Wayne didn’t just grow up in isolation after the tragic death of his father. Instead, he had a tight-knit group of friends, many of whom would later become the very villains he fights as Batman. This new backstory adds significant emotional weight to his encounters with these characters, as the lines between friend and foe become increasingly blurred.

For instance, Whan, the character we know as Killer Croc in the traditional DC Universe, is not yet the monstrous, reptilian villain we expect. In Batman Absolute Edition, Whan is portrayed as a regular (albeit extremely muscular) man who owns a gym and has a strong affinity for exotic animals like snakes and crocodiles. In fact, Whan is more of a protective, entrepreneurial figure in Gotham’s working-class community than a criminal mastermind. He even holds regular poker nights with his childhood friends, including Bruce Wayne, Oswald Cobblepot, Eddie (The Riddler), and Harvey (Two-Face). This reimagined Croc isn’t a full-fledged villain yet, but the seeds of tension are sown, particularly in his interactions with Bruce, who may one day stand on the opposite side of the law.

The fact that these characters—who in other versions of the Batman mythos are criminal masterminds—are now portrayed as Bruce Wayne’s friends makes the eventual confrontations between them all the more poignant. When they do become enemies, it won’t just be a battle between Batman and Gotham’s villains; it will be a confrontation between Bruce Wayne and the people he grew up with, friends turned foes by circumstance and differing worldviews.

Killer Croc: Friend or Foe?

In Absolute Batman, Killer Croc, or Whan, is a particularly fascinating character. Traditionally, Croc is portrayed as a grotesque villain whose reptilian features make him a social outcast, leading him to embrace his criminal tendencies. However, in this new universe, Whan is depicted as a giant, tough-as-nails gym owner who cares deeply for his reptiles and his community.

In fact, Whan’s connection to animals isn’t just a hobby—it’s part of his persona. He carries around crocodiles and snakes, and in this version of the story, he’s managed to acquire an exotic pet license thanks to his childhood friend, Oswald Cobblepot, who pulls some strings for him. Bruce, noticing this, jokingly tells Whan that Oswald is “going to get busted any day now,” hinting that even in this world, Oswald’s dealings still walk the line between legality and crime.

The relationship between Bruce and Whan is clearly built on mutual respect and camaraderie. They share a past, and Bruce even frequents Whan’s gym, where he trains and blows off steam. However, this friendship feels tenuous, as Whan’s activities within Gotham’s underworld suggest that their paths may diverge soon. This subtle tension adds layers to the story, creating an emotional conflict that will inevitably explode when Batman has to confront his former friend.

Oswald Cobblepot: The Penguin’s New Role in Gotham

Oswald Cobblepot, known in the main DC Universe as the criminal mastermind The Penguin, also takes on a different role in Absolute Batman 2024. While he hasn’t fully emerged as the villain we’re familiar with, he is already showing signs of his shady dealings and underworld connections. Bruce acknowledges that Oswald is still involved in Gotham’s criminal activities, and his knack for maneuvering within the city’s corrupt systems is ever-present.

In this universe, Oswald’s friendship with Bruce, as well as with the other characters, such as Whan and Eddie, adds a fascinating dynamic to the group. He’s not the cold, calculating Penguin we know from the traditional stories—at least not yet—but his interactions with Bruce and the rest of the group suggest that he’s not far from becoming that person. His connections in the city’s underworld, hinted at through his ability to secure licenses for Whan’s reptiles, show that he’s still a player in Gotham’s criminal scene.

The Penguin’s eventual turn into a villain may be inevitable, but in Absolute Batman, it will be much more personal. His friendship with Bruce and the shared history they all have gives their inevitable conflict a sense of tragic betrayal, making their relationship far more complex than the simple hero-versus-villain dynamic we’re used to.

Selina Kyle: More Than Just a Thief

Of course, no Batman story would be complete without Selina Kyle, also known as Catwoman. In the Absolute Universe, Selina is another one of Bruce’s childhood friends, adding another layer to the already complicated relationship between them. Traditionally, Selina’s character exists in a morally gray area—sometimes an ally, sometimes an antagonist—but always deeply connected to Bruce in a romantic and personal way.

In Absolute Batman, Selina’s role seems to follow this familiar pattern but with a twist. As one of Bruce’s childhood friends, she is deeply integrated into his life, and their past together makes their present relationship all the more charged with tension. While we haven’t seen the full extent of Selina’s transformation into Catwoman in this universe, the groundwork is laid for her to be one of Bruce’s most complicated relationships moving forward. Their bond, forged in childhood, will no doubt play a significant role in shaping how they interact in the future.

Selina’s speech at the Gotham City Town Hall meeting, where she defends Jim Gordon and urges the citizens of Gotham to take responsibility for their city, shows that she’s already a strong, independent character in this universe. She’s not simply a criminal or a love interest—she’s a leader in her own right, someone who stands up for what she believes in. How this will evolve as her relationship with Bruce—and his alter-ego, Batman—develops remains to be seen, but it promises to be a key storyline in the Absolute Batman narrative.

Themes of Friendship and Betrayal

What makes the Absolute Batman Rogues Gallery so compelling is how deeply personal the conflicts between Bruce and his enemies have become. These aren’t strangers he fights on the streets of Gotham—these are his friends, people he grew up with, people who know him better than most. The emotional stakes are much higher in this universe, as each confrontation is laced with the history of shared experiences and former camaraderie.

This emotional complexity is what sets Absolute Batman apart from other iterations of the character. While Absolute Batman 2024 borrows elements from classic Batman stories like Death of the Family and Hush, where the villains take center stage in tormenting Bruce, it does so in a way that feels fresh. The personal nature of these relationships adds a layer of tragedy and betrayal, making Bruce’s journey as Batman even more challenging and emotionally charged.

Conclusion: A New Take on Old Villains

The Absolute Universe’s reimagining of Batman’s Rogues Gallery is one of the most intriguing aspects of the Batman Absolute Edition. By transforming Gotham’s most dangerous villains into Bruce Wayne’s childhood friends, the series adds a deeply personal layer to the story, making the eventual confrontations between them far more compelling.

Characters like Killer Croc, Oswald Cobblepot, and Selina Kyle are no longer just criminals for Batman to apprehend—they are old friends whose paths have diverged from Bruce’s, making their battles as much about personal betrayal as they are about justice. This new dynamic brings a fresh energy to the Absolute Batman storyline, setting it apart from traditional Batman tales.

As Absolute Batman continues, the tension between these former friends will undoubtedly grow, leading to emotional and physical confrontations that will redefine what it means to be a hero and a villain in Gotham. For fans of classic Batman stories like Absolute Batman: Hush and Death of the Family, this new take on Bruce’s relationships with his enemies offers a captivating twist on familiar narratives, making it a must-read for any Batman enthusiast.