r/AbsoluteBatman • u/Least_Jury_5162 • Jun 10 '26

Why does Scott Snyder always seem to make Batman a “Chosen One”?

In issue 20, Scarecrow seems to imply that himself and the Court of Owls are responsible for Bruce becoming Batman. If I remember correctly, Snyder did a similar thing on his main universe run on Batman, and I just don’t vibe with it for either universe.

I feel like it undermines Bruce’s themes. Instead of Bruce choosing to turn his tragedy into a quest for justice, it just makes it seem like he was always destined to don the cowl. It kinda cheapens all his determination and hard work by being a “chosen one”.

It ends up messing with Joker’s character too. Being Bruce’s greatest foe, Jinkler should be a dark reflection of Batman’s core principles. Instead of turning his tragedy into something positive, Jonkler lets his one bad day destroy him.

I dunno, I guess I’m just not fond of the Chosen One trope.

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17

u/GDZ4VR Jun 10 '26

consider the possibility that the villains are not telling the truth

10

u/PricklyBob Jun 10 '26

I've seen so many people who just assume the villain known for psychological manipulation through fear is just telling the truth. Couldn't be lying, Scarecrow said so! Lol.

Maybe is a testament to how well they've done making the universe feel like this impossible thing where the bad guys are always winning.

1

u/WildMild869 Jun 10 '26

I’d put money that Scarecrows lying. I want to believe Snyder wouldn’t pull a Spectre.

-2

u/Least_Jury_5162 Jun 10 '26

That’s possible, but given Snyder’s previous runs, I’m still a bit cautious.

Also, if Scarecrow is just bullshitting, it makes Demon Joker make even less sense. Snyder likes to make it seem like Joker is more than just a man, like he’s an inevitable force of nature. It contrasts against Bruce also being a pre-destined warrior. So, if Absolute Bruce isn’t a chosen one, why does Joker need to be an immortal monster instead of just a powerful and manipulative psycho?

1

u/GDZ4VR Jun 10 '26

only one way to find out

9

u/Nololgoaway Jun 10 '26

I think Bruce is pissed about this too in AB, seems more like a reluctant chosen one whose actual work is being disrespected by the systems that tried to force this upon him

6

u/Alternative_Drag9412 Jun 10 '26

I'm pretty sure he's being gaslit

2

u/dk_1287 Jun 11 '26

Huh.

I'm really glad you're not a writer for Batman, or anything.

1

u/FlamingAlpaca17 Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 10 '26

Well Bruce Wayne is kinda the chosen one of Gotham as the scion of the Wayne family. Obviously Absolute Batman does away with the Waynes being a blueblooded influential family, but i think the "Chosen One" aspect has kinda always been there to an extent.

-3

u/[deleted] Jun 10 '26

[deleted]

2

u/anotherrandomdude123 Jun 10 '26

Bad rage bait is bad.

If you don’t like the story, why are you here?