DC has altered many classic characters in building the new Absolute Universe setting. The latest issue of Absolute Green Lantern continues this trend. First, by changing one classic Suicide Squad member of a heroic disposition into a total villain, and then by changing the backstory of one Justice League member and their distinctive costume.
Absolute Green Lantern #9 by Al Ewing and Sid Kotian opens with the murder of Steven Dayton. The scientist, who in the main DC Universe became the superhero Mento, is seemingly gunned down by his assistant, Terry Long. However, “Long” reveals himself to be an assassin and master of disguise codenamed Nemesis.
On DC’s Earth-Prime, Nemesis was a man named Thomas Andrew Tresser. First appearing in 1980’s The Brave and the Bold #166, he was a vigilante turned government agent who utilized disposable, quickly-dissolving masks. He is best remembered from his time in the Suicide Squad, where he was one of the team’s few volunteers. He felt indebted to Rick Flag Jr. and Amanda Waller, who had saved his life.
However, the DC Absolute Universe Nemesis is in the employ of Hector Hammond and given the real name Keith Kenyon. This foreshadows the new codename he takes on at the issue’s end, the classic Green Lantern villain Goldface. He dons golden armor and uses golden bullets to go after Jo Mullein while disguised as John Stewart.
What Justice League member did DC change for Absolute Universe?
Another subplot in Absolute Green Lantern #9 revealed big changes to former Justice League member Simon Baz. A devout Muslim in DC’s Earth-Prime setting, he was famed for his distinctive mask as a Green Lantern. The Absolute Universe version of Simon Baz had a brief cameo in Absolute Green Lantern #6 that establishes him as an agent of the Department of Extranormal Operations (DEO) who still wears a distinctive mask while on the job.
An explanation is offered in Absolute Green Lantern #9, when Baz meets with his superior and his new partner; a psychic named Kari Limbo. When Limbo asks about the mask, Baz explains that he developed an odd condition after fighting someone called Dr. Silence. Namely, that if he ever sees his own uncovered face, he will stop existing. It is unclear just how he determined this, or if he starts existing again once he can’t see himself. In any case, it adds another weird twist to the revamp of this Green Lantern.
Absolute Green Lantern #9 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
