(Image Source: DC / Giuseppe Camuncoli and Stefano Nesi)
The Absolute Universe presents some truly twisted takes on the classic heroes of DC Comics. The line so far seems to have been building to the foundation of an Absolute Justice League. Unfortunately, one beloved member of the team just had their heroic career end violently in Absolute Evil #1.
Written by Al Ewing, with art by Giuseppe Camuncoli, Absolute Evil #1 brings together the chief villains of the Absolute Universe. The organizer of the meeting, Wonder Woman villain Veronica Cale, lectures those assembled about the history of would-be heroes and how the defenders of the status quo always stopped them. She argues they should likewise work together to stop the modern rise of superhuman protectors before it is too late.
(Image Source: DC / Giuseppe Camuncoli)
Unfortunately for Cale, her arguments fall on largely deaf ears. Most of the villains are confident in their ability to deal with their enemies alone. However, Ra’s Al Ghul, who agrees with Cale, makes a rather dramatic point regarding how they should deal with the rising tide of would-be heroes.
What Justice League member died in DC’s Absolute Universe?
At Ra’s Ah Ghul’s command, an armored man with wings enters the conference room, carrying a corpse. The winged man is revealed to be Carter Hall, aka Hawkman. The corpse is likewise confirmed to be Oliver Queen, who had been planning to adopt a Robin Hood gimmick to bring down a wealthy pedophile with a private island.
(Image Source: DC / Giuseppe Camuncoli)
The death of Green Arrow at the hands of Hawkman is an indicator of just how dark and twisted the Absolute Universe is. In the original universe, the two Justice League mainstays argued frequently about politics. Hawkman was a social conservative, while Queen was an idealistic liberal. Despite this, both were undoubtedly heroes who worked together for the common good. Even if they drove each other crazy in private.
However, in the Absolute Universe, Hawkman is a jingoist, who is mindless loyal to his view of what America should be. A flashback reveals he named names and helped the United States government expose the costumed crimefighters of his day. He is now apparently in the pocket of Ra’s Al Ghul, whose Lazarus Corporation promotes rampant consumerism and military might. It is no wonder then that he is willing to play assassin to take down an idealist like Oliver Queen, whose only crime was trying to hold a child molester accountable.
Absolute Evil #1 is now available in comic shops everywhere.
