Absolute Batman Vol. 2: Abomination by Scott Snyder, et al.

 Absolute Batman Vol. 2: Abomination by Scott Snyder, et al.-224 pages

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

In this chilling new saga, Batman confronts the icy menace of Mr. Freeze and the brutal force of Bane as he uncovers dark secrets within the Ark M facility that link Victor Fries, the Joker, and Gotham’s deepest evils.

The story marks the debut of Mr. Freeze’s Absolute Universe version, focusing on Victor Fries, his connection to the Ark M experiment, and its mysterious link to the Joker. Batman faces a deadly battle against Mr. Freeze, uncovering chilling secrets about Ark M and the Joker’s involvement. Ark M is a facility meant to help society’s broken, but it has also played a role in creating evil. When Bruce Wayne infiltrates Ark M, he encounters Bane—an old foe with a brutal origin story and a terrifying plan to break Batman. The narrative reveals Bane’s background, motivations, and how he arrived in Gotham, all while Bruce and his friend Waylon Jones endure harrowing trials inside Ark M.

Collects Absolute Batman #7-14

Thoughts: Absolute Batman continues to be really good. It is right up there with "The Dark Knight" trilogy of movies. This second volume is just as good as the first. New, alternate versions of Bane and Mr. Freeze are introduced as well as a new version of Arkham Asylum (Ark M). Apparently, Joker is coming in the next volume, for which I am excited. 

Batman: Year 100, by Paul Pope, 232

Batman: Year 100, by Paul Pope, 232 pages

I thought I reviewed this already, but I don't see it, so here we go... In this incarnation, Batman takes place in a dystopian future.  A federal agent has been murdered, and all signs point to an urban legend called "the Batman." But all is not as it appears!  I thought this was an interesting take, as someone who has wondered how Bruce Wayne can still be fighting crime when he's been doing it for about 80 years by now.  Not that the question is answered, but at least it is posed... The artwork is well-done; for those who like their Batman dark and intense, this is a good one.

Catwoman: Crooked Little Town, by Ed Brubaker

Catwoman: Crooked Little Town, by Ed Brubaker, 168 pages

I heard that this was a good introduction to learning more about the Catwoman storyline, and it was.  It kind of comes in mid-timeline, but you can infer alot of her history.  Catwoman, also known as Selina Kyle, is back in Gotham City, but she's not just out for stealing diamonds and fighting Batman (unless she has to).  There's a drug ring in the East End, and crooked GCPD cops are behind it.  When an innocent kid winds up in the hospital after being used as a drug mule, Catwoman swings into action and takes on the whole police force.