Absolute DC has been one of the best things to happen to DC Comics and the comic industry. DC definitely took a page from Marvel’s new Ultimate Universe with the Absolute Universe, but Absolute DC has been better in the opinions of many readers out there; it often takes its idea to levels that the Ultimate Universe just doesn’t reach. Absolute Evil #1 is yet another example of why the Absolute Universe is so great for a lot of readers. Absolute Evil #1 introduces an idea that a lot of fans have been waiting for, but it does it in a way that completely fits the Absolute Universe, all while giving readers the history of the Absolute Earth and the books so far.
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The Absolute book have been fantastic, and Absolute Evil #1 has a lot to live up to. Luckily, writer Al Ewing is more than up to that challenge. One of the things that I think is apparent about the Absolute Universe is the amount of teamwork that’s going on among the writers and Ewing does a great job of showing how the Absolute books all tie together. This issue shows us the connective tissue that we didn’t see before but was always there, and is instantly compelling right from the beginning. Its use of Hawkman is fantastic, because it takes what we know about the Golden Age Hawkman and tweaks it. It makes sense that in the Absolute Universe, Hawkman would be a fascist, because in reality, Hawkman is still basically a fascist.
The book does take a page from the Ultimate handbook of killing off a character that fans might have wanted to see do something else, but it makes sense for what we know about the Absolute Universe. Ewing does a great job with the characters in the book as well. The Absolute books live and die by their characters, and Absolute Evil #1 is no different. Ewing is able to capture the characterization of each of the Absolute villains wonderfully. There’s something particularly chilling about his Joker, and Ewing is able to find it and put it on display. Ewing also goes out of his way to make this issue very new reader friendly. This is a book that can be read by someone who’s never read an Absolute book, and it will work for them.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
| Pros | Cons |
| The characterization is fantastic, especially the Joker | The art is good, but it isn’t great, which is a weakness compared to the other Absolute books |
| The plot is compelling and works as well for new readers as it does Absolute experts | |
| The book ends with one of the most interesting Absolute introductions ever |
Absolute Evil #1’s Art Is Good but It Can’t Stand Up With the Other Absolute Books
One of the best things about the Absolute books so far has been the art. DC has put amazing art teams on these books (the best for my money are Javier Rodriguez and Hayden Sherman, but they’re all great, even the fill-in artists), and readers have come to expect a certain level of art from these books. Absolute Evil #1 has Giuseppe Camuncoli and Stefano Nesi on the issue, and while they’re definitely good, they aren’t as amazing as some of the other Absolute artists.
That said, they do a fantastic job. Part of the reason why the Joker is so chilling in this issue is the character acting of Camuncoli, and the modern day Absolute Hawkman design is pretty great. The character acting and figure work throughout the book is pretty great in general, and it really helps the story move along. Ewing’s script has a lot of atmosphere to it, and the artists do a good job of capturing it. This issue isn’t on the level of something like Absolute Martian Manhunter, but it doesn’t look bad by any stretch of the imagination. It’s solid art that does everything it needs to do, but it’s not going to knock your socks off.
Absolute Evil #1 is yet another fantastic entry in the Absolute line. Fans have been wondering about what the first Absolute crossover was going to look like, speculating on whether we would be getting an Absolute Justice League. This issue shows that we are, but it does it in the most Absolute DC way ever. Ewing does an outstanding job with the script, making this book new reader friendly and still great for seasoned readers, and the art works for the book. The issue ends on the best Absolute introduction ever in my opinion, and makes this a lot more interesting. Absolute Evil #1 is a must-buy if you love DC Comics or want to get in on the Absolute Universe.
Absolute Evil #1 is on sale now.
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