Black Mask (Absolute Universe)

Evil-doer

Full Name

Roman Sionis

Alias

Black Mask

Roman
Ro

Origin

Absolute Batman

Occupation

Pig Farmer (formerly)

Philanthropist (front)
Paramilitary Leader
Criminal Strategist

Powers / Skills

Expert Combatant

Master Tactician and Manipulator
Charismatic Leadership
Vast Wealth and Resources
Global Criminal Network Command
Torture and Skinning methodology(implied)

Goals

Raise Gotham’s crime rate to justify Ark M prison construction

Serve the Joker’s global destabilization plan
Promote his nihilistic worldview through violence and anarchy

Crimes

Mass Murder
Mass Arson
Terrorism
Mutilation
Coeerced Assassination
Political Manipulation
Arms Trafficking
Conspiracy Against Government Stability
Desecration of a corpse (multiple)
Potential Manslaughter

Type of Villain

Hedonistic Terrorist

“	Come on. We all feel it. The big guys, they killed the world long ago.. And yet they keep us all slaving away with the promise it's all still alive. I mean, admit it, you can barely pay your bills, while their money makes money. You drag recycling to the curb while they ride in private jets that tear the sky apart. You struggle to hold this system together that does nothing for you, doing the right thing so they can do the wrong one? Because all of those ideals, those dreams you're toiling for? They're dead. Progress is dead. History is dead. Truth is dead. So how about we all just admit it's dead and relax so the pin can hit that sweet little spot? Let's all live in that one split second of ecstasy. Feast on the giant's scraps. And because Batman turned down his invite. I'm offering invitations to all of you. Hundred of millions of dollars. All up for grabs. Welcome to the party, Gotham.	„
	~ Black Mask

Roman Sionis, known as Black Mask, is a reimagined version of the classic DC Comics villain of the same name from the Absolute Universe.

Introduced in Absolute Batman #1 (2024) and being the major antagonist for "The Zoo" arc of the Absolute Batman series, this version presents a more brutal and nihilistic character, diverging significantly from earlier portrayals.

This version of Black Mask is a nihilist who believes progress, history, and truth are all meaningless. He promotes a philosophy of extreme hedonism and chaos, encouraging people to indulge in their darkest urges. He embodies this ethos by flooding Gotham with weapons, forcing its citizens to choose between law and anarchy. The Black Mask in one of many people who work for the man known as Joker, carrying out his plans for his own self-gain.

Biography[]

Origins[]

Roman Sionis was born on a pig farm in a war-torn country. From a young age, he was exposed to death, learning to kill pigs with bolt guns and developing a fascination with their screams. This early exposure to violence and suffering shaped his desensitized, ruthless worldview.

As an adult, Sionis became one of the most dangerous men alive, leading a paramilitary force hired by the world's most corrupt elites. Eventually adopting the name "Black Mask", he commanded an organization known as the Concierge, which directed global chaos through a gang network called the Party Animals, all in service of the Joker’s greater plan.

Facing Batman[]

Black Mask plays a pivotal role in destabilizing Gotham City as part of a global scheme involving the Joker. His mission is to raise Gotham’s crime rate by 700% to justify building "Ark M", a secret black site prison designed to house and experiment on criminals.

He influences city politics, helping the corrupt Hamilton Hill become mayor and pushing forward plans for Ark M. His reign of terror brings him into direct conflict with Batman and MI6 operative Alfred Pennyworth. In Absolute Batman #6, Batman faces Black Mask in a brutal showdown that ends in bloodshed for both men.

Personality[]

Black Mask claims he sees the world through a perspective of "take what you can and it's yours" but this perspective is not shown by his actions.

In reality, he is a self-absorbed individual who believes in personal gain and nothing else. His facade of being well-tempered and calm falls apart as soon as his plans are at stake.

He is sadistic as he not only wrestles a man seemingly to death, but also keeps the skinned faces of the former crime bosses of Gotham on the lower decks of his yacht. He also takes joy in the act of holding Batman down with garotte wire, and smiles as he suffocates.

He tries to present himself as empathetic with a story of putting down a pig, and how he killed it in a way which gave it pleasure. He then goes against this in conversation, claiming he lied and he loved hurting the animals.

Despite his speeches against the rich, he believes his own wealth makes him invincible as seen when he repeatedly tells Batman he's fighting an uphill battle (against a man like him).

Powers and Abilities[]

Expert Combatant: Skilled in hand-to-hand and weapons combat.
Tactical Genius: Highly intelligent, capable of devising and executing large-scale operations to destabilize cities.
Charismatic Leader: Commands the loyalty of numerous criminal factions and operates on a global scale.

Gallery[]

Trivia[]

The Absolute Universe’s version of Black Mask has received acclaim for its raw brutality, horror elements, and deeper psychological portrayal. His reinvention as a global manipulator and ideologue marks a significant departure from past versions, providing a chilling commentary on power, control, and human depravity.

Navigation[]

Villains

Absolute Superman
Brainiac | Peacemaker (Metallo) | Ra's al Ghul | "Lazarus Corps" | Omega Men

Absolute Flash
Rogues (Captain Cold, Digger Harkness, Golden Glider & The Trickster) | Elenore Thawne | Mirror Master | Heat Wave

Absolute Green Lantern
Abin Sur | Black Hand

Absolute Martian Manhunter
White Martians | Human Flame

Villains

Television
Batman (1943)
Prince Daka

Batman and Robin (1949)
The Wizard | Wizards Henchmen

Batman: The Animated Series/The New Batman Adventures
Joker | Harley Quinn | Poison Ivy | Ra's al Ghul | Talia al Ghul | Two-Face | Penguin | Catwoman | Riddler | Scarecrow | Killer Croc | Clayface | Mr. Freeze | Bane | Mad Hatter | Man-Bat | Ventriloquist and Scarface | Phantasm | Firefly | Clock King | Baby Doll | Rupert Thorne | Boxy Bennett | Buzz Bronski | Carlton Duquesne | Chuckie Sol | King Barlowe | Salvatore Valestra | Sidney Debris | Tony Zucco | Cameron Kaiser | Daniel Mockridge | Grant Walker | Maxie Zeus | Roland Daggett | Hugo Strange | Terrible Trio | Lloyd Ventrix | Kyodai Ken | Emile Dorian | Red Claw | Boss Biggis | Sewer King | Professor Milo | Arkady Duvall | Count Vertigo | Ferris Boyle | Arnold Stromwell | Anthony Romulus | Condiment King | Calendar Girl | Farmer Brown | Lock-Up | Montague Kane | Roxy Rocket | King Barlowe's Bodyguard | Klarion | Teekl | Arthur Reeves | Gil Mason | J. Carrol Corcoran | Mad Bomber | Dr. Gregory Belson | Bud and Lou | Captain Clown | Mo, Lar, and Cur | Murphy | Rocco and Henshaw | H.A.R.D.A.C. | Randa Duane | Batman Clone | Susan Maguire | Michael Vreeland | Crocker and Nitro | Raymond Bell | Candice | Enrique El Gancho | Thomas Blake | Cult of the Cat

The Penguin
Falcone Crime Syndicate (Penguin, Carmine Falcone, Sofia Falcone-Gigante, Alberto Falcone, Johnny Viti, Milos Grapa, Luca Falcone, Castillo, William Kenzie) | Maroni Crime Family (Salvatore Maroni, Nadia Maroni, Taj Maroni, Ervad Hakimi) | Victor Aguilar | Julian Rush | Doctor Ventris | Squid | Eve Karlo

Video Games
Batman (1986)
Joker

Batman: The Caped Crusader (1988)
Joker | Penguin

Batman: Return of the Joker (1991)
Joker

Batman Returns (1993)
Penguin | Catwoman | Red Triangle Circus Gang

Batman Forever (1996)
Riddler | Two-Face

Batman and Robin (1998)
Poison Ivy | Mr. Freeze | Bane

Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker (2000)
Joker | The Jokerz (Chucko, Dee Dee, Ghoul, Bonk, Smirk, Coe & Woof) | Harley Quinn

Batman: Vengeance (2001)
Joker | Harley Quinn | Mr. Freeze | Poison Ivy

Batman: Toxic Chill
Riddler | Mr. Freeze

Batman: Justice Unbalanced
Two-Face | Penguin | Raven | Jay and Gully

Batman: The Brave and the Bold - The Videogame
TBA

Batman: Arkham City
TBA

Batman: Arkham City Lockdown
TBA

Gotham City Impostors
Jokerz

Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
TBA

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
TBA

Batman: Arkham Origins
TBA

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate
TBA

Batman (2013 arcade game)
Mr. Freeze | Bane | Joker

Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham
TBA

Batman: Arkham Knight
TBA

Batman: Arkham Underworld
TBA

Batman: The Telltale Series
TBA

Batman: Arkham VR
TBA

Batman: The Enemy Within
TBA

Batman: Arkham Shadow
TBA