The popularity of “<a href="https://comicvibe.com/jae-lees-absolute-batman-23-cover-art-sells-for-10000-in-minutes/" title="Jae Lee's Absolute Batman #23 Cover Art Sells For $10,000 In Minutes”>Absolute Batman” continues to grow far beyond the comic book world.
Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s reimagining of Bruce Wayne has become one of the industry’s biggest success stories, and its influence is now reaching unexpected places.
One of those places is MLB.
Although Absolute Batman has not officially appeared on a licensed trading card, one artist decided to create his own unique version by transforming Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani into the Dark Knight.
Ohtani becomes the Dark Knight
The custom piece began as a Topps 50/50 trading card featuring Ohtani.
Artist David Choe completely reworked the card.
Ohtani’s batting helmet became Batman’s cowl.
His bat was replaced with the massive battleaxe that has become one of Absolute Batman’s defining weapons.
The finished piece was also painted and autographed by Choe.
Choe is an American-born artist of Korean descent.
He first gained recognition through graffiti art in Los Angeles before briefly attending the California College of the Arts.
His career has expanded well beyond painting.
He published the graphic novel “Slow Jams” in 1996.
Ohtani appreciates comic books
He has also appeared on screen, including a cameo in “The Mandalorian” and a starring role during the first season of Netflix’s Emmy Award-winning series “Beef.”
The choice of Ohtani makes sense for another reason.
The Dodgers superstar has openly discussed his appreciation for comic books.
According to the Los Angeles Times, Ohtani has credited Goro Shigeno, the main character from the baseball manga and anime Major, as one of the biggest influences on his life.
It remains unknown whether he has read “Absolute Batman.”
Even so, seeing himself transformed into the character may encourage him to pick up the series.
“Absolute Batman” debuted during the fall of 2024 as part of DC’s Absolute Universe alongside “Absolute Superman” and “Absolute Wonder Woman.”
The line reimagines iconic heroes without many of their traditional advantages after the creation of the Absolute Universe by Darkseid.
The series quickly became one of the comic industry’s biggest success stories.
It has been widely credited with attracting new readers and helping renew interest in comic books across multiple generations.
An animated adaptation of “Absolute Batman” is also in development.
Ohtani continues building one of the most remarkable careers in MLB.
He is hitting .289 with 22 home runs, 58 RBIs, and a .942 OPS in 89 games. He also owns a career-best 1.79 ERA, a 0.95 WHIP, an 8-2 record, and 95 strikeouts across 85.2 innings in 14 starts.
Ohtani has become quite versatile in his play
Ohtani’s versatility continues to set him apart from every other player in MLB. He combines elite athletic ability with relentless preparation. He constantly works to improve every part of his game.
He embraces challenges instead of avoiding them. His discipline has allowed him to thrive as both a hitter and a pitcher. Ohtani also carries himself with humility despite becoming one of the sport’s biggest stars.
Those qualities have earned him admiration well beyond MLB. They have also made him a fitting choice for an artistic tribute inspired by one of modern comics’ most popular heroes.
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