The popularity of comic book variant covers has skyrocketed to an astonishing degree lately. The nuclear-sized boom has widely been credited to Absolute Batman, which has released numerous examples of striking alternative artwork to accompany its latest chapters.
As a result, fans have been eager to see DC commission a variant cover for the smash-hit series by their personal favorite comic book artists, such as Rob Liefeld. However, the iconic writer and illustrator has recently taken himself out of the running, and in a notably blunt manner, despite previously showing signs of respect for Batman in his own work.
Rob Liefeld Vows To Never Draw An Absolute Batman Cover
Some of the most revered comic book artists working today, such as Jock and Dexter Soy, have delivered their own spin on one of the industry’s most popular series by contributing some of the many acclaimed Absolute Batman variant covers released in the last few years. However, one creator fans should not expect to get in on that trend is Rob Liefeld, who personally made that clear recently.
The artist and writer, who co-created Deadpool as a Deathstroke parody with writer Fabian Nicieza in 1991, hosted a livestream on Whatnot, during which he took questions from fans in the chat. When asked if an Absolute Batman cover is in his future, he did not hold back from condemning the idea, as seen in a clip from the livestream shared on social media.
The tone in Liefeld’s voice when declaring he is “never doing anything with Absolute Batman” is enough to convince people he is not kidding, but he really starts to lay it on thick by claiming he would only take the job for a $1 million payout before declaring it would be an “absolute waste of [his] time.” Then, after expressing he would rather have his properties under Image Comics optioned by Hollywood, he assures that he would never draw any iteration of Batman, having no personal affinity for the iconic character.
It is that last comment that would strike a chord with some people on social media, in addition to the fact that one of Liefeld’s most revered titles just paid tribute to Absolute Batman last year.
Rob Liefeld Has Contributed To Batman Lore
In the same tweet that shared the clip of Rob Liefeld’s Absolute Batman rant on Whatnot, it was acknowledged by user Grayson why his apparent distaste for Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s hit series is ironic. In 2025, a variant cover for Youngblood #1, a revival of his hit Image Comics series, recreated the artwork for Absolute Batman #1.
The image, a retailer exclusive released through Third Eye Comics, sees the character Shaft preparing his bow and arrow in a stance that calls to mind the Absolute Universe debut of the working-class Bruce Wayne. While the cover was drawn by award-winning cartoonist Jim Rugg, it is nonetheless strange to see Liefeld publicly denounce the beloved title and ignore how one of his own comics paid homage to it.
Even stranger to fans who replied to the video is his claim that he would never draw a Batman cover despite previous actions that suggest the contrary. Also in 2025, DC released a variant cover for Jeph Loeb and Bill Sienkiewicz’s Batman: The Long Halloween – The Last Halloween #5, featuring a terrifying Joker design and illustrated by none other than Liefeld.
In response to social media posts about his recent comments about Batman contrasting his work last year, Liefeld shared in a tweet that he drew said cover as a tribute to his friend, Tim Sale. The artist, who passed away in 2022, is best known for drawing the original mid-1990s run of Batman: The Long Halloween.
Absolute Batman #23 is now available where comic books are sold.
- Writer
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Scott Snyder
- Penciler
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Gabriel Hernandez Walta, Nick Dragotta
- Colorist
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Frank Martin
- Publisher(s)
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DC
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