Absolute Batman Homages Chainsaw Man in Brutal New Storyline

Absolute Batman Homages Chainsaw Man in Brutal New Storyline Southeast Asia Home Amazon Deals Pro-tips by Codashop PC PS4 Xbox One Nintendo Mobile Entertainment EsportsMoreSearch Home More About IGN SEAContactAdvertisePressUser AgreementPrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyRSSIGN Southeast Asia is operated under license by Media Prima Digital Sdn Bhd (199901014126) Change Region United States United Kingdom Australia Africa Adria Serbian/Croatian Adria Slovenian Benelux / Dutch Brazil China / 中国 Czechia / Slovakia France Germany Greece / Ελλάδα Hungary India Israel Italy / Italia Japan / 日本 Korea / 한국 Latin America Middle East – English Middle East – الأوسطالشرق Nordic Poland Portugal Southeast Asia Spain / España Turkey / Türkiye world.ign.com Register / Login Register / Login Login Register Absolute Batman Absolute Batman Homages Chainsaw Man in Brutal New Storyline The hit DC series drops reveals a heavy manga influence. This post might contain affiliation links. If you buy something through this post, the publisher may get a share of the sale. By Jesse Schedeen  Updated: March 12, 2026, 1:16 a.m. Related reads:MapleStorySEA Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Massive Summer Updates It’s no stretch to say that one of the reasons DC’s Absolute Universe line has resonated with such a wide audience is that these books draw a lot of inspiration from the world of manga. That’s especially true for Absolute Batman, a series that reimagines Bruce Wayne as a hulking terrorist in a Gotham City ruled by wealthy elite like the Joker. Never has that manga influence been more apparent than in Absolute Batman #18, a book that pays direct homage to Tatsuki Fujimoto’s Chainsaw Man.For proof, look no further than artists Clay and Seth Mann’s wraparound cover to Absolute Batman #18:Art by Clay and Seth Mann. (Image Credit: DC)For reference, here’s the cover to the Chainsaw Man Vol. 1 manga collection:Art by Tatsuki Fujimoto. (Image Credit: Viz Media)From Batman dual-wielding chainsaws on his arms to the green and red backdrop color, it’s clear DC isn’t trying to hide the Chainsaw Man influence here. And there are obvious comparisons to be drawn between Absolute Bruce Wayne, a blue collar everyman who becomes a terrifying vigilante force of nature by night, and Chainsaw Man’s transforming protagonist Denji.More like thisOpen Back Headphones: A Sound Experience Like No OtherNor is this homage confined just to the cover art. Batman does indeed wield two chainsaws on his arms as he battles Poison Ivy in this issue. And as you can see from the art below, Ivy herself has a decidedly manga-esque vibe in this twisted universe:Art by Eric Canete. (Image Credit: DC)Chainsaw Man isn’t the only manga that has clearly influenced Absolute Batman. Many fans have pointed out the similarities between the series and Kentaro Miura’s Berserk, particularly during the series’ second arc, “Abomination,” which pits Batman against a terrifying version of Bane. What are your thoughts on this Chainsaw Man homage? Do you think Absolute Batman should continue to lean into its manga influences? Let us know in the comments below.Absolute Batman Vol. 2: AbominationIn other Absolute Universe news, Absolute Wonder Woman was recently chosen as IGN’s best comic book series of 2025. Jesse is a mild-mannered staff writer for IGN. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on BlueSky. Related reads:DC Officially Reveals Absolute Green Arrow and Absolute Catwoman Series This post might contain affiliation links. If you buy something through this post, the publisher may get a share of the sale. In This Article