DC Comics‘ new Absolute Universe has proven popular for a number of reasons. Chief among these is how the dark setting born of the will of Darkseid puts new spins on many classic characters. That trend continues in the Absolute Evil one-shot, which introduces several DC characters into this brave new world.
The plot of Absolute Evil centers around a business meeting of the five chief villains of the Absolute Universe line. Ultimately, they agree to form a Justice League to fight those heroes who seek to change the world. This is apparently nothing new, based on a brief history presented by Veronica Cale regarding other vigilantes who might have disrupted the status quo.
All the new Absolute Universe characters added in Absolute Evil
There is a wide variety of DC Comics characters introduced by Absolute Evil. Most of them are tied to the Justice Society of America and used to explain away the absence of established superheroes in the past of this world. The rest are would-be heroes and villains active in the modern-day Absolute Universe.
Hawkman/Carter Hall
Cursed to an endless cycle of reincarnation across time and space, Carter Hall has been many things in his many lives. The one constant, however, was that he was always a hero. Sadly, this seems to have changed in the Absolute Universe.
The flashback opening of Absolute Evil reveals that, in this reality, Hawkman willingly used his position to out his fellow superheroes. In the classic timeline, all of the JSA chose to retire rather than reveal their secret identities to the American government. The story later establishes him as an assassin in the employ of Ra’s Al Ghul.
Oliver Queen/Green Arrow and Roy Harper
In the main DC Universe, Oliver Queen was forever changed after being shipwrecked on an island. His experiences there inspired him to become a hero, using his archery skills against evil as Green Arrow. An island journey inspires the Oliver Queen of the Absolute Universe to heroism as well. In this case, however, it was a social visit to the private island of a billionaire pedophile, clearly inspired by Jeffrey Epstein.
In his first scene in Absolute Evil, Oliver Queen is shown practicing his archery while talking to someone named Roy. This seems likely to be Roy Harper, who became Green Arrow’s sidekick, Speedy, in the original universe. Oliver tries to talk Roy into joining him in going after his target, but is apparently unsuccessful.
The comic ends with Oliver Queen dead, killed by Hawkman. This is curious, given that earlier plans announced an Absolute Green Arrow series in 2026. Undoubtedly, this series will center around Roy Harper, taking up the bow of his friend.
Sandman/Wesley Dodds
Veronica Cale kicks off her presentation on would-be heroes who threatened the status quo with the tale of Wesley Dodds. In the main universe, Dodds was an idealistic chemist who developed a sleeping gas he hoped would end war. When the American government was uninterested, he used his gas to fight crime as The Sandman. Conversely, in the Absolute Universe, Dodds was killed in his lab and his life’s work was stolen.
Wildcat/Ted Grant
Cale continues her history discussing the life of Ted “Wildcat” Grant. A heavyweight boxer, Grant became a vigilante to clear his name after being accused of murder. In the Absolute Universe, however, this champ took a dive rather than go after a corrupt factory owner who was bribing safety inspectors. He retired from heroism after being given enough money to buy his own gym.
Iron Munro/Arn Munro
Iron Munro was an anomaly in several respects. He didn’t wear a costume or really have a codename. The bullet-proof hero fought crime using the same nickname he answered to earlier in his life as a cinematic stuntman: Iron Munro.
Altogether unlike the Absolute Universe Hawkman, Iron Munro refused to cooperate with the House Un-American Activities Committee. Cale reports that he died in what was thought to be a chemical weapon testing accident. However, because Munro was an outspoken activist, this seems unlikely to have been a true accident.
Lex Luthor
The comic concludes with the first glimpse of the Absolute Universe Lex Luthor. We learn little about him in his brief scene, beyond his being married with children, living on a farm, and being basically content with his life. He is apparently nothing like the classic Lex Luthor, however, being ashamed of the “angry young man” he once was.
Absolute Evil #1 is now available in comic shops everywhere.
