Absolute Batman #19 Channels Death Note In A Must-See Cover

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It’s not surprising to see references to Batman’s past in the comic series, given its playful take on the character. But it’s unusual when the series nods to stories from completely different comics.

A new cover for Absolute Batman #19 pays homage to the cover of Death Note Volume 1, as first noticed on social media by ScreenTime.

The cover art is a creative take on a famous manga image. It cleverly uses the Absolute Batman logo where the arms of a pink cross would be, and replaces the protagonist of Death Note, Light Yagami (dressed in a similar suit and holding a scythe), with Absolute Scarecrow wielding a battleaxe. The most noticeable change is replacing the death god Ryuk with , finishing the tribute perfectly.

Death Note, created by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata, centers around Light Yagami, a teenager who finds a mysterious notebook. This notebook, owned by Ryuk, gives Light the power to kill anyone simply by writing their name in it. First published from 2003 to 2006, the popular comic spawned a successful anime series that ran from 2006 to 2007, as well as several live-action movies, including a 2017 American version released by Netflix that received negative reviews.

The alternate cover art is by Clay Mann, an artist who’s previously worked on titles like X-Men: Unlimited in the early 2000s and Tom King’s Batman series in the mid-2010s. The image features Absolute Scarecrow and Absolute Joker together, suggesting a growing alliance between these updated, frightening versions of the classic Batman villains – a connection that’s also hinted at in the description for Absolute Batman #19.

Readers who enjoy Scott Snyder’s fresh take on Gotham City recently saw a striking variant cover for the same comic book issue. Artist Rafa Sandoval, known for his work on Absolute Superman, created a detailed close-up of Dr. Jonathan Crane (Scarecrow). The image features red stitching across his lips, symbolizing a metaphorical trap for Batman’s alter ego.

Other Batman Comics Have Been Inspired By Manga

The recent Death Note-inspired variant cover for Absolute Batman #19 isn’t the first time a Batman comic has referenced a popular manga. This series, in particular, has included other nods to well-known Japanese comics.

Daniel Mann and his brother Seth created a variant cover for the last issue featuring Absolute Batman with dual chainsaws. The image was inspired by Tatsuki Fujimoto’s manga, Chainsaw Man, which follows a demon hunter who can turn parts of his body into chainsaws. The artwork is praised for its clear nod to the popular manga and depicts Batman cutting through the dangerous, overgrown plants created by the villain.

Some readers have pointed out that the artwork in Absolute Batman by Nick Dragotta has a style similar to traditional Japanese illustrations. Additionally, the “Abomination” story arc, featuring Absolute Bane as the villain, seems to take inspiration from the popular ’90s manga Berserk.

A comic book series reimagines The Dark Knight within a world inspired by Tokusatsu – a Japanese genre known for monster movies like Godzilla and hero shows like Super Sentai (which became Power Rangers). Written by Kyle Higgins and Mat Groom, the story is set in a futuristic, multi-planetary society where Bruce Wayne uses a powerful, universe-sustaining energy source to protect humanity.

I’m super excited because the new issue of Absolute Batman, number 19, is coming out on April 8, 2026! I’ll definitely be grabbing a copy – it’ll be available on most digital platforms, so I can read it right away.

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2026-03-17 15:07