Absolute DC has been one of the most critically-acclaimed alternate universes of all time. The Absolute books took the idea of an alternate universe created by a bad guy and took it to the next level. The six Absolute books — Absolute Wonder Woman, Absolute Superman, Absolute Batman, Absolute Martian Manhunter, Absolute Flash, and Absolute Green Lantern — have all been hits with readers and allowed DC to show readers some of their favorite characters in entirely new ways. Absolute Evil #1 is the new chapter in the story of this alternate universe, taking the concept of the Justice League and twisting it in a perfect way for a universe created by Darkseid.
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Absolute Evil #1 is a compelling comic, and it introduces two new characters to the Absolute Universe: Green Arrow and Hawkman. In this universe, Hawkman ended up betraying the Justice Society in 1951 and has been working with the bad guys ever since. Oliver Queen was basically the same in the Absolute Universe, a billionaire firebrand fighting the power of the new world. In the main line universe, Hawkman and Green Arrow had a huge grudge against each other, and Absolute Evil #1 plays into that, ending their grudge in the bloodiest possible way.
Hawkman and Green Arrow Are the Justice League’s Most Contentious Duo
It all began back in 1973’s Justice League of America (Vol. 1) #104. Writer Len Wein (the man who co-created Wolverine, redefined the X-Men, and worked as an editor at DC and Marvel, often working with Alan Moore) took over the book and felt that the Justice League got along too well; there was no drama and that was boring for him to write. So, Wein decided to inject some drama into the book and he chose Hawkman and Green Arrow to do it, using the trappings of a battle between the Justice League and Hector Hammond and the indestructible Shaggy Man to kick off their grudge.
This made a lot of sense. After the Green Arrow/Green Lantern classic “Hard-Traveling Heroes”, Green Arrow had become a liberal firebrand, constantly calling out the world around him. This was a huge change to the character, who before was just Batman mixed with Robin Hood. Meanwhile, Earth-One’s Hawkman was an alien police officer, as conservative of a voice as the Justice League had. “Hard-Traveling Heroes” used this type of dynamic between Green Arrow and Green Lantern wonderfully, so Wein brought it over and slotted Hawkman into the spot that Green Lantern had in “Hard-Traveling Heroes”. It proved to be popular and they’ve been frenemies ever since.
Eventually, DC established that their grudge began after Doctor Light’s assault on Sue Dibney in Identity Crisis, which was meant to make sense of why the two of them just started disliking each other out of nowhere during Wein’s run. Over the years since, Green Arrow and Hawkman’s relationship has been played several different ways, but their grudge is always at the heart of it. They’ll work together, but their dislike of each other has led them to violence numerous times over the years. That’s what make this new moment in Absolute Evil #1 so amazing.
Absolute Evil #1 establishes that Oliver Queen has decided to become a superhero to fight the power and that Hawkman is basically a servant of the government, destroying any threat to the status quo. The issue opens explaining who each of them are and during the meeting of the evil Absolute Justice League, Hawkman comes in the room with a body over his shoulder. It’s Queen, whose head Hawkman caved in with his mace. Green Arrow and Hawkman have battled each other for years, and readers may have expected them to continue their grudge in the Absolute Universe, but DC put a violent end to that. Or did they?
The Changes to Hawkman Could Lead in Very Interesting Directions
One of the most interesting parts of the whole situation is that while Oliver Queen is exactly the same in both universe, Hawkman is different. However, he’s not really all that different. Hawkman has always been a defender of the status quo. If that status quo was fascist, he would be a fascist; he already has those tendencies. So, this change isn’t at all strange and it could lead to some very interesting places.
DC has already announced that there will still be an Absolute Green Arrow, so Ollie’s death isn’t the end. In Absolute Evil #1, Ollie is talking to Roy Harper, his sidekick in the main line universe, telling him all about his plans to become Green Arrow. With the death of Ollie, there’s a good chance that Roy will become the Green Arrow. Ollie’s death at Hawkman’s hands, and Roy’s seeming friendship with Queen, could lead to an all-new Green Arrow/Hawkman grudge. Absolute Evil #1 is a smash and this is a really cool bit of storytelling that could be pay dividends.
Absolute Evil #1 is on sale now.
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