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Fans everywhere have going wild for DC Comics’ new Absolute Universe. It hasn’t even been a full year, but readers have fallen for the publisher’s new take on classic heroes and everyone wants to know when they’ll be seeing more characters in this universe.
In the Absolute Universe, everything is a reflection of Darkseid’s ideals. Things are skewed towards corruption and evil and though heroes have started to rise, they face greater challenges than their Prime DC Universe counterparts, often lacking very familiar things. This universe only has a small collection of heroes so far, but who could end up joining them and what challenges would await these heroes in DC’s Absolute Universe?
10
Supergirl
No Cousin. No Earth. Absolute Achiever.
Fans are just getting to know the Absolute Universe’s Superman, and while he believes himself to be alone in the universe, DC fans know he should have one family member out there for him. Supergirl is Superman’s most well-known family member and it’s imperative she shows up at some point. Thanks to Absolute Superman #5, fans know that other Kryptonians made it off-planet, so it’s quite likely Kara is somewhere in the Absolute Universe.
But what if she didn’t make it to Earth? What if, in this universe, her escape vessel landed on another planet? Perhaps with a yellow sun to still give her powers. How would Supergirl get along in the world having to forge her own identity as a hero, independent of her cousin? It’d make for an interesting twist to her usual origin, at least.
9
Swamp Thing
No Green. No Love. Absolute Elemental.
The Absolute Universe has largely removed heroes from their most important things. Wonder Woman lost her Amazon sisters. The Flash lost his legacy. So in a hypothetical Absolute Swamp Thing, what else would be more devastating for Swamp Thing to lose than his connection to the Green? In this world, the iconic elemental hero would likely be more like his original incarnation, a horrifying fusion of man and nature that becomes a DC hero in spite of tragedy.
This version of Alec Holland could still retain his standard powers, perhaps even new ones. But to stay true to the Absolute Universe’s standards, he’d need to lack the most pivotal connections his counterpart has. He can’t feel the Green, and he’s unable to forge relationships with many, making Swamp Thing’s work to protect the Earth all that much harder.
8
Doom Patrol
No Safety. No Stability. Absolute Weirdness.
The Absolute Universe is a world built on challenge and, let’s face it, who faces more challenges than the members of the Doom Patrol? These oddballs have had the deck stacked against them and in Darkseid’s world, things would only get worse. If the Doom Patrol appeared, chances are they’d still be the products of Niles Caulder’s experiments, but rather than forming a super-team, they’re likely to be holed up in some secretive government facility.
At least initially. Robotman, Elasti-Woman, Crazy Jane, and Negative Man would escape Caulder’s clutches and go on the run. Sure, they wouldn’t have a home or safe space in the world, but through the trials they’d undoubtedly face while dodging the government, the Doom Patrol would become just as strong a team as they are in the Prime DC Universe.
7
Black Canary
No Control. No Training. Absolute Independence.
It’s not just the circumstances that have changed for DC heroes in this universe. In some cases, the metahuman’s powers have altered significantly (just look at the Flash). If there’s a hero who would certainly struggle in this world if her powers were affected, it’d be Black Canary. Everyone knows about her iconic Canary Cry. But just imagine if her supersonic scream was more powerful than ever and that Black Canary had absolutely no control over it.
In the Absolute Universe, Dinah could have been unable to speak without activating her power, never allowing her to speak. But as the world’s heroes begin to rise, Black Canary decides its time to stop viewing her powers as something to inhibit her and see them as something she can use to change the world as a superhero.
6
Aquaman
No Kingdom. No Followers. Absolute Leader.
Heavy is the head that wears the crown, but just imagine if Aquaman never became a king. Arthur Curry is a man of two worlds, humanity and the Atlanteans. But in the Absolute Universe, it’s quite possible that there are no Atlanteans (at least none that have ever made contact with Arthur). In this world, Arthur has always lived on the surface, unaware of his true heritage, yet feeling an almost magnetic pull to the waters.
He’d still have his powers, of course, and after discovering them, Arthur could go on an epic adventure across land and sea to discover where his people are. During these trials, he would find and inspire others, showing that, despite not being aware of his purpose, Aquaman is still the man destined to lead the Atlanteans to their former glory.
5
Harley Quinn
No Ivy. No Arkham. Absolute Harley.
Harley Quinn’s origin generally hinges on her meeting and falling for the Joker, which kick-starts her epic journey of growth and self-discovery. But if she never met the Joker, would Harleen Quinzel still become Harley Quinn? The animated series Batman: Caped Crusader certainly thought so, so the Absolute Universe could certainly find a way to still have Harley embrace her madcap alter ego. But it’s not just enough to remove the Joker, Poison Ivy has to go too.
Again, the Absolute Universe is one of challenge. Removing Joker from Harley’s origin is one thing, but taking away her greatest romantic partner gives Harley something to work with. Who is she in this world when she never knew Ivy? And when she does eventually meet Ivy (because she obviously has to), will sparks fly immediately, or would Harley Quinn have to really put in the work to win her partner’s heart?
4
Zatanna
No Connections. No Spells. Absolute Magician.
If there’s one thing that can be said for the Absolute Universe, it’s that it’s not afraid to change how heroes actually operate. Their powers are often different. Absolute Flash has no Speed Force and Absolute Martian Manhunter is introducing a lot of trippy, new powers. In the spirit of taking big swings like that, imagine for a second that DC decided to introduce a version of Zatanna who, instead of using real magic and spells, only used stage magic and sleight-of-hand?
Zatanna: Bring Down the House followed this kind of concept, and it’s cool to see a hero so well-versed in magic have to think outside the box. An Absolute Zatanna could follow the hero as she tries to master true magic while navigating such a dire world with nothing but tricks up her sleeve.
3
Green Arrow
No Home. No Company. Absolute Fighter.
Working out an Absolute Green Arrow is somewhat difficult as Absolute Batman has already done much of what one would expect with a new take on Oliver Queen. Whatever one could take away from the Emerald Archer has already been done to the Dark Knight (namely the fortune and company). But there’s still room to experiment. For example, what if, instead of being marooned on an island as an adult, Green Arrow spent his entire childhood and teenage years there?
In the Absolute Universe, Oliver could found after being presumed dead for decades. But after living apart from society for so long, his return does nothing but show him the corruption affecting the world. As Oliver struggles to find his way in a strange, unfamiliar world, he becomes Green Arrow and decides to right every wrong he comes across.
2
Nightwing
No Mentor. No Friends. Absolute Underdog.
Absolute Batman might be too young for a Robin, but that doesn’t mean Nightwing can’t exist. Obviously, Dick Grayson was Batman’s sidekick in the Prime DCU. But what if things changed so that Dick was about the same age as Bruce. He’d still have gone through the tragedy that took his parents, but he didn’t have Batman to guide him. Instead, he became a vigilante on his own, creating a much different Nightwing.
Nightwing is possibly the most well-connected hero in the DC Universe. But in a world where the Absolute Nightwing had to rely on himself more, he’d likely be more of a solo operator, making his journey as a hero a lot more difficult. It’d make for a good dynamic with Absolute Batman, one that would teach them both the value of relying on other people.
1
Shazam
No Wizard. No Family. Absolute Champion.
If there’s someone who has the spirit to overcome adversity, it’s Billy Batson, aka Shazam (or The Captain). If anyone can deal with the Absolute Universe’s challenges, it’s Billy and in this world, he’d face a serious uphill battle. While the Prime Shazam has had the Wizard or his family to help guide him, this version of Shazam would have no one. No mentor figure. No family, adoptive or otherwise. Nothing.
Family is the most important thing to Shazam, but how would he handle being imbued with godlike strength and no one to turn to? Especially once he faces his world’s version of Black Adam or Doctor Sivanna. That’s not to say a Shazam Family wouldn’t eventually form, but Billy would have to prove he’s worthy of his powers while overcoming his greatest challenge first.
“}]] The DC heroes ready for an absolute overhaul. Read More