(Image Source: DC / Alan Quah)
Since the earliest adventures of Superman, DC has been tackling topical issues through the lens of the superhero. This tradition has continued into the new Absolute Universe setting, which has revamped many classic heroes in ways that analyze 21st century life. However, the new Absolute Evil special goes a step further in reflecting current events. It does this by introducing a revamped villain that is clearly modeled on Jeffrey Epstein.
Written by Al Ewing, with art by Giuseppe Camuncoli, Absolute Evil introduces both Hawkman and Green Arrow into DC’s Absolute Universe. The first scene with Green Arrow shows Oliver Queen discussing why he is doing “the Robin Hood bit.” His inspiration to heroism is a man named Jubal Slade, who has a private island and has been doing something immoral involving children. This seems to be a clear reference to Jeffrey Epstein, who was arrested on charges of trafficking minors to his own private island in 2019.
The main cover and first seven pages of Absolute Evil #1 may be viewed below.
Absolute Evil premiere continues DC tradition with Jeffrey Epstein villain
The name of Jubal Slade may be familiar to some DC Comics readers. He was a villain in the first comic to revamp Green Arrow into a modern-day Robin Hood in 1970. In that story, however, Slade was a corrupt landlord rather than a child molester and trafficker.
(Image Source: DC Comics / Neal Adams)
Beyond the revamp and the reference to Jeffrey Epstein, this is a novel twist on the classic origin of Green Arrow. Originally, Oliver Queen was inspired to heroism after being shipwrecked on an island. In DC’s Absolute Universe, an island still figures in the origins of Green Arrow. However, the reasons for the journey there being life-changing are completely different.
The Green Arrow comics of the 1970s and 1980s were famed for examining current events in this fashion. By making a clear proxy for Jeffrey Epstein in Absolute Evil, DC is continuing this tradition of tackling topical events. It has also given the Absolute Green Arrow an origin that is all the more relevant to modern audiences.
Absolute Evil #1 arrives in comic shops everywhere on October 1, 2025.
