DC Is Finally Done Sanitizing Its Most Brutal Antihero

Warning: contains spoilers for Absolute Power: Origins #2!

DC is done sanitizing one of their most brutal anti-heroes. DC is full of violent, law-skirting anti-heroes, but few come as rough as Lobo. The last of the Czarnian race, Lobo, has left a trail of chaos and death in his wake. Over the years, however, DC has taken some of the bite out of Lobo, but in Absolute Power: Origins #2, they remind fans he is a stone-cold killer.

Absolute Power: Origins #2 is written by John Ridley and drawn by Alitha Martinez. Absolute Power; Origins recounts Amanda Waller’s rise to power in the DC Universe, including the first, previously untold first mission of the Suicide Squad. Among the recruits are a young man named Cyclotron as well as Lobo. While on the mission, Cyclotron proposes the rest of the Squad rise up against Waller. Waller, monitoring the whole situation, tells Lobo she will double his pay if he kills Cyclotron.

Lobo then kills Cyclotron without a moment’s hesitation.

Lobo Became That Which He Parodied–But It Still Worked

DC Has Taken Some of the Steam Out of Lobo

When Lobo arrived on the comics’ scene in the early 1980s, the era of the “grim and gritty” hero was already under way. Created by Keith Giffen and Roger Slifer and first appearing in Omega Men #3, Lobo was intended to be a parody of violent, over the top heroes like Wolverine. Ironically, Lobo would become synonymous with the movement, and by the early 1990s, was starring in numerous miniseries and one-shots. These books featured Lobo in a variety of hilarious situations full of gratuitous violence, be it attending San Diego Comic-Con or killing Santa Claus.

The Lobo comics published during the character’s peak were super violent, but over the past two decades, DC has “de-fanged” Lobo. At the character’s peak, Lobo’s adventures carried a “For Mature Readers Label,” and often earned such a warning. Starting during the New 52, however, DC introduced a slimmer, younger version of Lobo. Fans were outraged, and DC quickly walked back on it. Even when the main Lobo returned, he was more restrained and less showy. Lobo also learned he had a daughter, Crush, which helped change his outlook. Finally, Lobo made good with his old enemy Superman.

Lobo Was, And Still Is, One of DC’s Most Violent Characters

Do Not Be Fooled–Lobo Has Not Gone Soft

With this in mind, it is tempting to think Lobo has mellowed out, but Absolute Power: Origins reminds fans that, at his core, he is a murderer. Lobo massacres the young Cyclotron horribly without a second thought as soon as Waller raises his pay. It is a jarring scene, especially in light of Lobo’s recent characterization. DC Comics has allowed Lobo to mellow out (slightly) in his old age. Yet deep down at his core, Lobo is still a violent and murderous anti-hero–and DC wants fans to remember that.

Absolute Power: Origins #2 is on sale now from DC Comics!