Absolute Evil 1 is now out and it is set to shake up the continuity in the very popular alternate reality that is the Absolute Universe/Earth-Alpha. Al Ewing (also writing Absolute Green Lantern) in this issue introduces some new characters to the universe and reveals the Absolute Justice League lineup.
Major spoilers for Absolute Evil ahead!
Traditionally, DC’s Justice League is formed of heroes and there are some incredible ones to pick from in the Absolute Universe. You would be forgiven to think that Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman would be among the new members, but Ewing has gone in a different direction.
This Justice League has been formed to combat a rise in radical individuals and ideas; threatening the status quo. One such radical is Oliver Queen, Absolute Green Arrow, whose plan to target a man trafficking children to a private island is cut brutally short by this Justice League. This League is not formed to protect the innocent, but to protect the powerful.
Absolute Justice League members
In the first issue the following characters are revealed to be newly invited to join this group, or already involved in its formation.
- Joker
- Brainiac
- Hawkman
- Hector Hammond
- Veronica Cale
- Ra’s Al Ghul
- Elenore Thawne
- Mirror Master
This is the most we have seen of the highly anticipated Absolute Joker so far and Giuseppe Camuncoli does a fantastic job creating a real sense of unease about the character. Joker seems to be in charge of the direction of the group, although Veronica Cale clearly has a powerful influence as does Ra’s Al Ghul.
Hawkman, shown as having helped put down similar threats to the status quo since the McCarthy years, is clearly the group’s heavy hitter. While Elenore Thawne and Hector Hammond seem a little less convinced by the group’s vision. There might be little room for dissent or disagreement in this League though.
Behind the scenes, watching from afar, are Brainiac and Mirror Master. They both seem to have a hand in orchestrating the formation of the group, but it is not clear how much the other members are aware of them, if at all. They add the final piece of the puzzle to the group by calling a richly coifed Lex Luthor, adding him to the roster.
This group consists of the the biggest villains shown so far in the Absolute Universe, although it hints at one more, future villain. Joker describes a particle, more important to understanding the fabric of the universe than the Higgs Boson – the Omega particle. Its moral dimension suggests a Darkseid to the universe.
Buy Absolute Batman Vol 1: The Zoo (Bookshop.org US – I earn a commission)
Buy Absolute Batman Vol 1: The Zoo (Bookshop.org UK – I earn a commission)
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