A Classic DC Hero Just Revealed The Villain Superman Could Become

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The Absolute Universe is very different from the regular DC Universe. While the main DC Universe is built on hope, this one is dominated by despair and hatred, heavily influenced by the evil of Darkseid. All the heroes have suffered greatly, but Superman has been tested the most. Ra’s al Ghul and Brainiac are determined to transform Superman into a ruthless killer, and it appears this is exactly what Darkseid wants as well. So far, Superman has managed to hold onto his goodness, but DC has recently shown us a preview of the dark path they intend for the Man of Steel. It’s a chilling look at what he could become, and it raises the stakes for his future.

I just finished watching Absolute Evil, and it was a fascinating setup for the Absolute Justice League. But forget heroes – this League is comprised entirely of villains! It really drives home the idea of a broken system, one that’s been oppressing people for generations. What’s particularly chilling is seeing how deep those roots go. And they’ve weaponized a hero, turning Hawkman into their personal assassin and superpowered enforcer. The film really lays out what this corrupted League intends to do to Superman, giving us a glimpse of their larger plans for the entire Trinity within the Absolute Universe.

A Hero Turned Into an Absolute Monster

The origins of Absolute Hawkman remain a mystery, but the beginning of Absolute Evil revealed a scene from 1951. In it, the winged hero consented to collaborate with the House Un-American Activities Committee. Currently, several wealthy and powerful villains who would eventually become enemies of the Justice League were discussing a potential alliance. Hector Hammond declined to participate, stating he already possessed everything he needed. This prompted Veronica Cale to contact Hawkman. Prior to this meeting, Hector had suggested to his associate, Jubal Slade, that he attempt to bribe Oliver Queen, who was starting his journey to become the Green Arrow and target Slade. However, Oliver never received the opportunity.

Hawkman arrived at the meeting carrying the body of Ollie. Cale pointed to this as proof of what they could accomplish by working together. Hawkman was drastically different from the hero we remember – now equipped with metal wings and armor, and wielding a large morningstar club. He had killed Ollie shortly after receiving Hector’s call, and brought the body to the meeting within about an hour. This version of Hawkman isn’t simply a hitman; he’s a highly skilled assassin who works for the United States government, and he demonstrates exactly how they would deal with Superman.

Dark Future Reflected in Heroes Past

Ra’s al Ghul has repeatedly stated his goal: to completely crush Superman’s will and transform him into a devastating weapon to destroy the Earth and eliminate humankind. Hawkman embodies what Superman could become. Once among the most powerful heroes, he was often portrayed as an angelic figure. However, this version of Hawkman has been drastically changed. He now wears armor covered in spikes, and his wings have been converted into metallic weapons. He appears more mechanical than human, representing his role solely as a tool of destruction.

Besides Hawkman, looking at other heroes from the Golden Age helps us understand what Cale and the Joker are planning for their enemies. Sandman was killed because the government wanted his formula for sleeping gas, and Wildcat stopped being a hero after accepting a bribe from criminals he caught. This mirrors the way these two villains approached dealing with their rivals: Cale attempted to kill Wonder Woman and steal her power for the government, while the Joker tried to bribe Batman to make him disappear. These older heroes clearly demonstrate how this world treats its heroes, and specifically, how even powerful figures like the Trinity can be defeated.

Batman has already refused Bane’s offer of money and his attempt to change him, and Wonder Woman has repeatedly survived fatal attacks. However, Superman hasn’t yet defeated Ra’s al Ghul, and the constant pain of those he cares about could still overwhelm him. Superman is on the verge of becoming as monstrous as Hawkman, making them almost perfect reflections of each other. Hopefully, Superman can avoid this dark fate, just as Batman and Wonder Woman have.

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2025-10-03 22:56