Between Peacock in the pages of BATMAN and The Absence in the next issue of BATMAN AND ROBIN, our caped crusaders have their hands full with mysterious, dangerous women this month. Paul Cornell, Scott McDaniel and Rob Hunter introduce us to The Absence, a psychopathic villain with an origin story gruesome enough that I couldn't in good conscience post it here. (Hint: She wasn't born with that hole in the middle of her forehead.) If you're not squeamish, you can check out what I'm talking about in BATMAN AND ROBIN #18, on sale Wednesday.