Yet, in a new cosplay design, Batman has lost himself to the Joker’s influence, unleashing a new kind of villain onto the streets of Gotham who can single-handedly bring the city to its knees.

DC Comics recently launched its Absolute Universe to critical and commercial acclaim, with Batman’s corner of this new reality shaping up to be one of the most different and dark places of them all.

Let’s get this book to 1.6 million in sales! That’ll show me.” Bane by graham nolan in detective comics #663 (left) and batman #497 cover by kelley jones (right) ...