Absolute Batman crosses a new line as he breaks Bane more literally than anyone could have predicted. Among Batman’s extensive rogue gallery, Bane is the only one who can boast that he broke the bat. Ever since Knightfall, Bane has been synonymous with Batman’s defeat.

Bane is more of a Batman archnemesis in the Absolute Universe than the Joker himself, at least during Absolute Batman‘s first fourteen issues. Bane has come close to breaking the bat in many ways, but Absolute Batman has taken a stand against the villain and all the sinister powers supporting him. And while Bane is a mountain of muscle, Batman doesn’t fall far behind.

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Batman and Bane’s long-awaited face-off finally arrives in Absolute Batman #14, which claims a definitive victor.

Batman Turns Bane Into A Sentient Brain And Eyes After Making Him Explode

Absolute Batman #14; Written by Scott Snyder; Art by Nick Dragotta & Frank Martin

Bane's brain and eyes heal floating inside a tank in Absolute Batman #14 — Bane’s brain and eyes heal floating inside a tank in Absolute Batman #14

Batman and Bane’s match opens with an even bigger Bane power-up than Batman and Alfred Pennyworth expected. Bane can barely register as an anthropomorphic character as he infuses his body with Venom. However, despite swinging Batman around like a ragdoll, Bane quickly loses ground to the Dark Knight, who receives help from Killer Croc, Harley Quinn, and Catwoman.

Although previews for Absolute Batman #14 teased an “abomination” Batman fueled by Venom, Bruce Wayne doesn’t rely on Bane’s drug to defeat the villain. Instead, he chops off Bane’s arms and pops his bulging body like a balloon. Against all odds, Bane survives as a floating pair of eyes and a brain, healed by the Joker.

Bane is a ruthless assassin who doesn’t hesitate to crush his enemies with his bare hands. However, he’s also a victim of Ark M. Never has Bane and Venom’s allegory for addiction been more clear than in Absolute Batman, where Bane only wants “one more” dose of Venom to defeat Batman for good. This final dose proves to be too much, and it grants Batman the upper hand in their most important fight.

Batman takes joy in making Bane suffer the side effects of Venom. Since Bane can regenerate in record time, Batman doesn’t hesitate to remove Bane’s eyeballs and slice his limbs off. This, in turn, only encourages Bane to use more Venom, which takes him to the breaking point. Batman’s victory in Absolute Batman #14 is much more logical and much more satisfying than most encounters between them, especially The Dark Knight Rises‘ final battle.

Absolute Batman Has One Advantage He Can Use Against The Joker

Absolute Batman Is Not Holding Back

Absolute Batman #14 variant cover he is worse for wear

Unfortunately for Bane, the Joker is healing him just to bring him back to the battlefield. It won’t take long for Bane to recover his body and get his chance for a rematch. Batman is still at a disadvantage against Bane and the Joker, but his taste of Bane’s blood only reaffirms the idea that he doesn’t need to hold back against Ark M’s monsters.

Batman’s no-kill rule goes out the window when he fights irredeemable criminals like white supremacists, let alone against literal monsters like Absolute Bane and Absolute Joker. Batman is now prepared to maim, dismember, and annihilate whatever monster Gotham throws at him. That lack of hesitation is a terrifying power all its own.

Absolute Batman #14 is now available from DC Comics.