Absolute Evil #1

Absolute Universe (Collected Edition)

by Al Ewing, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Artist)

The emergence of superheroes has caught the attention of the world, and it’s certainly caught the attention of the people who run it.

Ra’s al Ghul, Veronica Cale, Elenore Thawne, Hector Hammond, and the mysterious “Joker” have worked at cross-purposes until now, but this growing threat requires new ways of thinking, and new partnerships. An insidious betrayal from within their ranks is imminent, and if they don’t take action, they’ll lose control of a planet that was built to be their playground!

Superstars Al Ewing and Giuseppe Camuncoli join forces to kickstart the next era of Absolute Universe stories... with several shocking new character reveals, and one big unmissable twist!

Genres: Comics, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels, Comic Book, Science Fiction, Superheroes

30 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2025

Reviews

[Anna Quilter · Rating 4 out of 5]

ABSOLUTE JUSTICE
October 2025

" This is how we solve problems.. not in a month...in a day"

multi layered gateway....into the ABSOLUTE universe...though I may need to read thus again.

[MrGlassWontBreak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was Fucking insane. Al Ewing did a fantastic job with the setting and plot: Some of the worlds most powerful individuals, who have been systematically taking out heroes for decades finally come across some heroes, who’s will and power outmatch their individual efforts.

So, they decide to put their immense resources together and form a team, a Justice League, to deal with these new threats once and for all. This issue was a little wordy, but it is well written and easily passes the message along to the reader. The art was a bit hit or miss for me but this was a fantastic start for the title. Can’t wait for more.

[James DeSantis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welp there goes a major character...LOL. Overall cool set up for this new "Justice League"

[Jadyn❀ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*4.5* Oh. I hated that. Much like my feelings on Absolute Batman, though, getting deeply disturbed by a book doesn’t mean I think it’s bad. In fact, I like how this was structured, and it expertly hits the reader where it hurts without appearing obvious from the beginning. These characters are truly despicable, like, make me feel like I need to puke and shower, but maybe that’s because of how real they feel. These people could all exist in our world, and maybe they even do.
With the villains assembled, I look forward to the heroes crossing paths as well.

[Zoey · Rating 5 out of 5]

They have been systematically taking out heroes to maintain the status quo for decades. This Justice League is the product of dystopia. Hawkman is a traitor, and the Absolute heroes have a shockingly united force against them.

“That thing is called a Tetracide. It was the second most dangerous creature to appear that day. This is the most dangerous. She arrived here from Hell. She deafened a city. She became a Gorgon, turned the Tetracide to stone— then destroyed it with a punch. She also—and this is the part I find most concerning—took operational command of the scene. Troops on the ground deferred to her.”

“At the same time, word spreads of another creature. This one is male. Violently disrupting Lazarus Corps operations in Brazil. Shrugging off artillery that would have blown a hole right through iron munro. Melting tanks with his eyes.”

“Gotham City. This one is human… we think. But he seems to redefine what human can be. He appears and vanishes like a ghost. He somehow built his resources into the city itself. He wears an axe blade on his chest, for God’s sake.”

Reading these quotes makes me so ridiculously proud of them. Like, yeah, they did that!

[Machiavelli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Picked this up after seeing all the hype (and despite the $6 price tag), but honestly? Kind of a letdown. Absolute Evil #1 is well written and clearly well thought out, but it’s also exposition-heavy and, frankly, boring. The whole issue functions as a history lesson—an “upside-down” retelling of the DCU to expand the Absolute Universe—and that’s about it.

Sure, there are a few strong character moments, and they even knock off an Absolute version of a favorite DC hero to goose the drama. But at the end of the day, this felt less like a story and more like a setup manual for future Absolute books. Six bucks for a backstory that’ll almost certainly be rehashed later left me pretty underwhelmed.

[Gavin Peterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this

[Christian M. T · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a set-up, what a twist!!!...
Coming into Absolute Evil as someone who’s only deeply familiar with Absolute Batman and not Absolute Superman or Absolute Wonder Woman was such a thrill and a bit disorienting but in the best possible way. The Absolute Batman series has had an extraordinary year of releases.... I'm now even more invested in the absolute universe. I definitely need to get the annuals for Wonder Women, Superman, and Martian Manhunter!!!

Ewing’s storytelling is top-notch and brtual....
who are the bad guys and who are the good guys?!?!.... seemingly the whole absolute universe wants to thrive on that moral inversion and sharp turns, and here Ewing delivers a concise narrative that doesnt just feel like another crossover event..... it’s a kind of philosophical examination of what a hero is or can be..... or should be.... It questions whether absolute power or absolute morality can exist without absolute corruption.

'....and INJUSTICE must be fought. CHAOS must be fought.... We must fight it' .... said as a dead 'hero' is dragged off the meeting table!!!

Stellar artwork by Guiseppe Camuncoli and Stefano Nesi.... each panel is so immaculate, detailed, and focused. That Frank Miller nod was perfect.....5 star!!

[Craig Schorling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man, this hit hard. I was not prepared for that. The title is perfectly fitting for this one. The Absolute universe is firing on all cylinders and this next step feels perfect.

[Luca Mendes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can’t wait for more.

[Hades Grayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

[Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH.

[Toby Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would be more upset about my favourite character being brutally killed off if this comic wasn't so damn peak

[Cybernex007 · Rating 5 out of 5]

ABSOLUTELY YES! This is the piece of the puzzle we have been sorely missing from the absolute universe. The very structure of the universe demands that forces work to drag our heroes down and make it as difficult as possible for them to succeed. And so far it’s been nothing but success from our stories, this works to balance it out perfectly. Taking us through a bit of a history lesson of all the failures this world has had and forming together the opposition. But first we start this issue in a surprising place, 1951. A committee has formed in the government to find communists, and in this world there is one hero flying around that has no problem giving up his identity and going to work with them to turn over all of his colleagues, which he sees as commie rats. That “hero” is known other than Hawkman.

That will be more important later as we learn more about the history of this universe, but for now it’s time to jump over to another story of an up and coming hero: Oliver Queen. There is no ship wreck or island for Oliver in this universe, simply a rich man who finally developed a conscious and has the resources to put together a life where he may finally be able to do some good. He has an arrow cave, a custom built convertible with an ejector seat, and he is even trying to get his friend Roy to join up with him. And he has a very specific target, another rich man named Jubal Slade, which is basically the Epstein of this universe. Bending the entire system to their will to host their private flights filled with kids. And all ollie wants to do is make a difference in the world, he can feel the world working against him as if there is some moral cancer rotting them away. But what’s he missing in this plan of his? The skills to really pull it off.

We jump over and see one of our least favorite billionaires from the absolute green lantern series, Hector Hammond. As he is walking into a meeting he is talking to Jubal Slade, completely brushing off the threats Oliver has made and they will simply pay him off. But as he walks onto the meeting, national security concerns demand that he get rid of all electronic devices. Obviously he is not happy about this, and probably never will be with his attitude, but as he walks into the meeting room it becomes very clear to us. The meeting is hosted by national security advisor Veronica Cale, and they are joined by Elenore Thawne, Joker, and Ra’s Al Ghul with some clean shades. The rest of them immediately hate Hector and his jokey attitude, especially Joker who does NOT joke around. But as Hector takes his seat Veronica starts the presentation. She begins to outline the short lived of young idealistic masked vigilantes, starting in 1939 when a chemist named Wesley Dodds patented an improved anesthetic and became the sandman. He was found shot dead in his laboratory with his notes ransacked, a year later the US military acquired new and very lethal nerve gas. Coincidence or were Dodds stolen notes used? Ask the conspiracy theorists. If you asks histories of it helped win the war, they’ll say yes. Now jump to 1942, where a professional boxer named Ted Grant is framed for murder and dawns a cat costume to clear his name. The neighborhood eats it up and be. Erin’s to move up from small time to medium time until he overhears a factory inspector taking a bribe from a munitions firm to look the other way. Then Ted himself took a bribe to keep quiet and he hung up the mantle of wildcat and opened a gym of his own, dying peacefully at 81. 16 people died in workplace accidents at that factory, making the nerve gas, she mentioned earlier, used to win the war. Maybe taking the money was the most heroic thing he did after all. Now jump to 1951, a movie stuntman named Iron Munro is a freak of nature, with the abilities to stop bullets and outrun a locomotive. He fights a battle for truth and Justice, but was ousted as a socialist. Give you one guess who told on him. He is called before the review board to name other costumes who are socialists, and he refuses. Within a year he is living in a lonely shack in the Nevada desert, which is “accidentally” targeted for a chemical weapons test. Apparently someone filed the wrong paperwork and his lungs weren’t as tough as the rest of him.

These are just three examples out of hundreds throughout history where individuals have acted outside the status quo and have been dealt with until no one remembers them. And that’s how it’s always gone…until now. Veronica then proceeds to explain the events of the current absolute titles. The gateway city event with Wonder Woman, the Superman, the batman who they think is human, the green lantern, the flash, and any others that they are unaware of completely. But the big difference here is that they are continuing, they are taking the money or going down. And as they increase their danger to the status quo increases as well, it is becoming apparent that their biggest danger isn’t what they can do…but what they can convince others to do, what they can inspire. Peacemaker agents are ignoring protocols to write their own after action reports (Lois) and cops are refusing to open fire on a man dressed as a bat. There is an order to the world and they are making a mockery of it that could topple everything…if THEY allow them to.

Veronica proposes that they pool their private resources and meet them head on as a group, instead of individually, as they can no longer handle it alone. Hector isn’t convinced, last thing he cares about is some scare story to get his money. He claims he doesn’t need their help anyway, but Ra’s disagrees. That’s when he queues Veronica to show them an example. That’s when Hawkman, looking completely different from the 50s, his head wrapped in bandages and his wings boney with their muscles exposed…carries in a very dead Oliver Queen and throws him on the table. Their problem has been dealt with, not in a month…but in a day. This is not meant as a threat, but as a demonstration of what they can do when they work together. It doesn’t seem Thawne is convinced, she just sees it easily turning into a bidding war and doesn’t see the need to be in each other’s pockets, they aren’t friends. That’s when joker stands up and interrupts. This is really the first time we have seen joker talk for an extended period of time, and it’s pretty amazing. He agrees, they are not friends tbh he would like to share a but of very proprietary research that cannot leave this room. Unbeknownst to joker it already has, Ra’s glasses are made up of tech that allow Brainiac to watch the entire meeting. Joker proceeds to explain the theory of the god particle, the final piece on the puzzle of quantum mechanics that confirms how the universe works…they are wrong, last year his team found a better one they call the omega particle. Joker has unveiled the fundamental truths of the world they life in, he has found the basic building blocks of all creation and now understands how it behaves and reacts. The particle has a spiritual and moral dimension to it, it understands good and evil. Thawne is having a hard time believing this, but Ra’s completely believes him…after all…he never jokes. Joker then proceed to go into quite a serious speech about the fundamental forces of this universe and how they trend in one direction that pulls down to keep everything, even in a societal and moral standing, in its place. They have proof that the world is not doomed but a natural order makes it just. Anarchists like Oliver Queen try and stand against that order…they call THAT injustice. And injustice must be fought, and they must fight it, after all…how can they fail…”God is on our side.” So NO, they aren’t friends, to be friends would go against the moral order. But they can be allies, from this watchtower they can form a leavue together to ensure the morality of the inverse bends towards the Justice it represents, they can be a Justice league. OF COURSE, it all makes sense. If the structure of the universe bends towards an unjust world, then the Justice league would keep that world in check to its natural order. HAHAHA. And with the big revelation that this group has been standing in the hall of Justice the entire time, we have absolute Justice.

But the end of the issue introduces us to an element we are missing. As it turns out the tech brainiac used to watch the meeting was not his own, but mirror masters. Brainiac sees this team dynamic and thinks it can work, with each member balancing out the others. But the joker…if left unbalanced the. He loses a threat. Brainiac has apparently used mirror master to look into the main world, and through his glimpses he caught a name of a member they are missing. That’s when we jump out to a nice field, where a couple sits on the porch drinking tea and wondering how life can be this great. Kids, a nice home, but ruined by a phone with the worst timing. That’s when we see Lex Luthor, with a full set of hair, step from the porch and answer the phone!! “This is Lex Luthor speaking. How can I be of help?” OMG OMG OMG. BRAINIAC, you listen and you listen good. You better not ruin this man’s life just so he joins the Justice league. It’s so crazy that we can look at this world, and then basically see an elseworlds built up from the ground up. We aren’t just jumping over to earth 3 to mess with the crime syndicate, this is a fundamental change in the universe and we are watching the characters develop understanding of it and grow with that understanding. It’s amazing.

[Tinomutenda Mpunganyi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a little difficult to review Absolute Evil #1 because it’s such an ambitious concept — and one that immediately throws you into deep philosophical territory. The issue sets up a world where everything is inverted: heroes are villains, villains are saviors, and morality itself feels upside-down. But the more I think about it, the less it feels like pure dystopia — and more like a mirror of the real world. Because honestly, we already live in a world where power often sits in the hands of people who don’t have everyone’s well-being in mind.

Al Ewing has built a reputation — whether at Marvel or DC — for taking familiar superhero ideas and turning them on their heads. You can see it here again. The story unfolds almost like a dark council meeting, where the “Justice League” is being formed by figures like Ra’s al Ghul, Veronica Cale, and Hector Hammond. They sit around discussing their philosophies, each making their case for why evil is necessary — even ordained. One character goes so far as to claim that “God is on our side,” arguing that evil is part of the natural order, that good upsets the cosmic balance. It’s a striking idea — one that touches on theology, free will, and the design of the universe itself.

That’s what makes Absolute Evil fascinating, but also frustrating. The issue is packed with ideas, but they don’t quite connect. Every character speaks from a different school of thought, and instead of a coherent manifesto of evil, we get a fragmented debate. Philosophically dense, but narratively scattered. You finish the issue wondering how these people could ever work together — or if that’s even the point.

So, while I found it thought-provoking, I can’t say it was easy to follow. I’d give Absolute Evil #1 a 3 out of 5 — not because it’s bad, but because it feels like the prologue to something potentially brilliant that hasn’t quite found its rhythm yet.

Still, I’m intrigued to see where Ewing takes this. He’s clearly building toward something — a larger exploration of good, evil, and cosmic balance. And if the release schedule follows the usual monthly cycle, we’re in for a long wait before the full picture emerges. But maybe that’s fitting for a book about the slow war between light and darkness.

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Los Concilios en la sombra para definir el mundo son un cliché... pero desde luego que en el panorama ABSOLUTE esto puede aprovecharse tal como Al Ewing muestra en esta reunión que descubre cómo, a parte de la configuración existencial del Darkseid Omega que pone las cosas difíciles de entrada al surgimiento de nuestros superhéroes conocidos, estos individuos de diferentes organizaciones y empresas maléficas han ido eliminando sistemáticamente el surgimiento de los héroes del Universo DC. En algunos casos, apelando a ambiciones y tentaciones secretas o sencillamente acabando con su vida. Como veremos en estas páginas de forma crudísima revelando una encarnación terrible de un viejo héroe alado.

ABSOLUTE EVIL por supuesto tiene una labor meramente expositiva. Aunque por lo menos avanza algo en temas como este Joker tan particular (y su conocimiento de las partículas Omega) y ya descubrir que en ausencia de los héroes que componen la canónica Liga de la Justicia, predomina una Liga totalmente distorsionada en su concepto de JUSTICIA. También el cliffhanger aumenta la apuesta en este panorama ASBOLUTE.

[Colin Post · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good mix of fan service (but done in interesting ways that build up a bigger story of how heroes have been dealt with in this world as threats to status quo) and truly shocking moves that will have impacts on the next phase of the absolute universe saga. Killing off Green Arrow after the Absolute Green Arrow book has already been announced???!! I’m so eager to hear more details about that book now - will it be a prequel? Will someone else take on the GA mantle? And of course, the most obvious but most ingenious reveal that the bad guys are the Justice League. Bring it on.

As an aside, Ewing also takes some space to get in some Immortal Hulk esque ideas - a molecule as a portal to absolute truth of the world.

[Jerry Aguirre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well well well. Where do we go from here. I got pretty pissed, after my initial shock, at the death of Green Arrow. The biggest thing from this comic is that Joker has found an omega atom. He pretty much describes their world is ran in a Justice format that best suits them. He pretty much understands that some being has put them power, and that this atom/being is understanding of them. Joker believes that those who oppose them are injustice. They are not falling in line with the status quo. So they must align themselves together to fight for their definition of justice. Calling themselves the Justice League.

And what the heck was that ending!!!?

[Emiliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gotta read the rest of the Absolute comics cause holy FUCK

THE JUSTICE LEAGUE?!?!?!!?? WHAT??? Also Joker is so fucking frightening I love it so much the idea of the universe being set in place and not being able to manipulate it which leads to the bad guys working together to keep the “peace” that is being disrupted by the rise of the new heroes like o gosh so much revealed like woooooow. Joker is so intelligent and the lack of jokes from him makes me so scared for Batman cause how the fuck does this human turn into a fucking DEMON?!?!?!?!!? Also Lex Luthor????? I need to read the rest of the absolute stuff NOW

[ალან სკოტი · Rating 5 out of 5]

So it’s confirmed. Justice means something much grimmer in this universe, per Darkseid’s design. So as a twist, we’re rooting for injustice to prevail because that’s where the good guys stand? It’s a unique concept, that’s for sure. the only bad thing I can say about this issue is how much they kept saying absolute joker doesn't do jokes, like we get it he is total opposite of his prime earth counterpart it's still not necessary to say it every single time someone talks to him or about him... and I guess I was excited for nothing to see my favorite DC hero in Absolute universe.

[Jesus Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw a lot of people online chirping about how this was bad. I’m glad GoodReads folks see the vision. This was such an awesome read for a one shot. Despite there not being any action this comic is still saying a lot in terms of the future for our beloved heroes in the absolute universe. It really helps set the tone as all of our villains gather in a massive summit,that certainly gets intense. I got goosebumps in the end and I wouldn’t say it’s a spoiler but this version of the Joker has to be an easy top 3 for me and he’s not no. 3!!!

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

10/10 NO NOTES
The villains are all so interesting and compelling, I love the focus on Cale since ABSOLUTE WW is my favorite of the lineup so far. The author truly cooked with this, the dialogue is well written and the motivations are established. The ending is a gutpunch. Absolute Evil is probably the most politcally in tune with real life politics and avoids the pitfalls of many gritty retellings.

[Vinny Albano · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crazy implications for the Absolute Universe moving forward. Makes me excited and makes this whole universe feel a lot more bigger and important than before. I'm only reading Batman right now, so this one-shot didn't feel as crazy as I'd imagine it'd feel if I was caught up on everything. Regardless, very solid. I definitely want to read the other series now.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hmm...getting a kind of 'Civil War' vibe here - but I have to read more to say for sure. Over the past several years there have been lots of stories that blur the lines between heroes/villains; in my opinion this reflects the ever more polarizing societal issues we are now facing. AE starts out with a 'jolt' that will make you want to read more!

[John Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the writer of Immortal Hulk and Absolute Green Lantern (really got to give that book a shot). It paints a picture of a group of people so powerful, that they've been manipulating behind the scenes of things for a while now. Not only that, but they believe that their order of things is "justice", and the new up and coming superheroes are a cancer that need to be taken out.

[Raymond Paquette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect. They brought in the Green Arrow and Hawkman and got rid of them just as quickly. Also the Joker was what a psychopath should be. I can’t wait to see him turn. The last page was the kicker. Don’t skip to it, ever.

[Roland Baldwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocking and grim. I really enjoyed this a lot. It ties together a lot of ‘but what about them’ moments in this universe. I still say Ra’s Al Ghul and Talia are more Vandal and Scandal Savage than anything else

[AJ Easterday · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an insane addition to the Absolute Universe! So many new characters introduced, as well as getting to know the established villains even better. I'm kinda obsessed with Absolute Joker now. And that final reveal!!!! The Absolute Universe is one of DC's greatest inventions.

[Obi Juan · Rating 5 out of 5]

No os dejéis engañar por la similaridad con el título de la saga Forever Evil. No tiene nada que ver.
Me está flipando mucho este universo Absolute. Lo único que creo es que debería tener más tiempo para desarrollarse.

[Madison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh this was good. Really good.
Seeing all these villains come together to form their own Justice League and how the threats of these individuals is ruining everything, teaching others to break out and reach for something better was just too good.
Not to mention the ending?!?!?