(Image Source: DC Comics / Nick Robles)
Slowly but surely, the Absolute Universe is being populated with variants of heroes and villains from the main DC Universe. The links between the various series are also becoming stronger, with minor nods to events and characters from other comics. This trend continues in Absolute Flash #13. Not only does the issue reference a classic enemy of The Flash but it also ties them to a sinister organization from Absolute Green Lantern.
Written by Jeff Lemire, with art by Haining, Absolute Flash #13 finds Wally West back at the Dibney Youth Mission. Wally briefly stayed with this Earth’s version of Elongated Man after first acquiring his speed powers and going on the run. He returned there after his most recent battle with the people behind Project Olympus, during which his father was apparently lost in time and space.
(Image Source: DC Comics / Haining)
After waking up from a nightmare about his father, Wally is confronted by Ralph Dibney regarding recent events. Specifically how government agents in dark suits were asking about Wally after he disappeared following the appearance of Heatwave. When Wally denies knowing anything, Ralph point-blank tells Wally that he knows Wally has powers.
What Flash villain is teased in Absolute Flash #13?
As a final show of trust, Ralph shows Wally the business card from the government agent who asked Ralph to call him if Wally came back to the mission. The card belongs to Hunter Zolomon of the DEO. Ralph then tears up the card and tells Wally he will always have a home at the mission.
(Image Source: DC Comics / Haining)
The DEO is the Department of Extranormal Operations. In Absolute Green Lantern, Cameron Chase, Kari Limbo, and Simon Baz are all agents of the DEO, which investigates reports of unusual activity. The name Hunter Zolomon, however, will be familiar to fans of The Flash.
In the Earth-Prime reality, Hunter Zolomon was the second Reverse-Flash, a.k.a. Zoom. Originally, Zolomon was an FBI profiler and considered one of the best in the business. That assessment changed after a bad call on his part got his mentor and father-in-law killed. His wife left him and he lost his job. The only work he could find was in Keystone City, where he befriended Wally West.
(Image Source: DC Comics / Scott Kolins)
When Zolomon was left unable to walk after an encounter with Grodd, he asked Wally to change time to fix his life. After Wally refused, Zolomon broke into the Flash Museum and attempted to use the Cosmic Treadmill himself. Somehow, this healed Zolomon’s body and gave him the power to control the flow of time around him.
It remains to be seen if the Absolute Flash Hunter Zolomon will play a similar role. Given he’s a part of the shady Absolute Universe version of the DEO, it seems a safe bet. However, there is sure to be some kind of twist.
Absolute Flash #13 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
