(Image Source: DC / Riley Rossmo)
The Absolute Green Lantern series may be the most unusual of DC‘s new Absolute Universe line. The series twisted the classic concept, with the various lantern corps powers now being tied to levels of enlightenment rather than emotions. To that end, the series just revamped one equally psychedelic 70’s superhero into a villain.

Written by Al Ewing, with art by Eleonora Carlini, Absolute Green Lantern #13 opens on the planet Rann. The planet is under the control of the Blackstars; a sinister group opposed to the OAns who created the Green Lantern. It is here that an Overseer of the Blackstars is warned by his Controller that an enemy ship is passing through his sector.

(Image Source: DC / Eleonora Carlini)

While preparing for this, the Overseer interrogates a Rannian scientist who was working on forbidden technologies. The Overseer reveals his name is Rac Shade and he wields a weapon called the M-Vest to torture the scientist. This confirms the Absolute Green Lantern villain as a twisted variant of Shade the Changing Man.

Who is Shade the Changing Man?

(Image Source: DC / Steve Ditko)

Created by Steve Ditko in 1977, Shade the Changing Man is nearly is strange as his publication history. Rac Shade came to Earth as a fugitive from the planet Meta in another dimension. He was empowered with a device called the M-Vest, which generated a protective forcefield. It also created an illusionary form that made Shade look like a distorted giant version of himself.

Shade’s adventures were short lived. His solo series only lasted eight issues. After Crisis on Infinite Earths, he briefly joined the Suicide Squad, but eventually returned to his home dimension.

(Image Source: Vertigo Comics / Duncan Fegredo)

In 1990, Shade the Changing Man underwent a revamp, which eventually was moved to Vertigo Comics. The new series presented Rac Shade as an alien poet, sent to Earth to avert a growing wave of madness. However, his M-Vest was a Madness-Vest, capable of warping reality.

The Absolute Green Lantern version of Rac Shade merges both of the previous versions. He makes reference to being a poet, but his M-Vest is used to create fearful illusions. It is said this ability allows the Blackstars to locate those who are plotting against them.

Absolute Green Lantern #13 is now available at comic shops everywhere.