Buyer Preview

A new chapter of Absolute Batman begins as the horrors hidden within Ark M continue to emerge.

Following his encounter with Poison Ivy, Bruce Wayne attempts to forge an alliance with Barbara Gordon, while Joker begins putting his own plans into motion. His next move involves one of Ark M's most disturbing doctors—Jonathan Crane—bringing Scarecrow into the growing conflict surrounding Batman.

The issue is specifically promoted as a new story-arc beginning with new villains and new debuts, making #19 a natural jumping-on point within Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta's Absolute Batman.

Key Speculation Value

Issue #19 is noteworthy as the beginning of a new Absolute Batman story arc and for moving Jonathan Crane / Scarecrow into the spotlight following the Ark M storyline. The publisher solicitation specifically emphasizes new debuts and villains as the next phase of the series begins.

For this specific copy, there is also a clear collector angle: Mike Mayhew artwork, The 616 Comics/Mike Mayhew Studio exclusivity and a confirmed 3,000-copy print run for this Trade Dress A edition.

Cover Rarity & Appeal

Mike Mayhew gives Poison Ivy a dramatic throne-like presentation, surrounding her with twisting vines, exotic flowers and dense vegetation. Her brilliant red hair and orange-and-green costume dominate the upper half of the composition.

The particularly memorable element is the Batman skull mask resting in Ivy's lap. Mayhew combines Batman's pointed cowl with a skeletal face, creating a macabre image that fits the darker horror elements of the Ark M storyline.