DC Admits Why This Justice Leaguer Loses So Much (and It Shows He’s a Hypocrite)

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As a huge comic book fan, I’ve been so impressed with what DC has been doing lately. For years, Marvel always seemed to be one step ahead, but DC, with their Absolute line, has really turned things around and is actually gaining momentum. It’s a similar idea to Marvel’s Ultimate Universe, but DC has managed to keep things fresh for longer, focusing on a world where the bad guys really win. We’ve been seeing awesome new takes on classic heroes like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter, and everyone’s been eagerly waiting to see them finally come together as the Justice League. Well, Absolute Evil #1 finally delivers on that promise…though not quite in the way we expected.

Absolute Evil #1 tells the story of how the Absolute Justice League first formed, showing the villains uniting to counter the growing threat of the heroes. The issue also features a well-known hero from the main DC Universe – Oliver Queen, or Green Arrow. In this alternate universe, Ollie remains a wealthy, outspoken progressive, and is already on the radar of powerful villains like Hector Hammond. Hammond talks about Queen and offers a surprisingly insightful point about him – a realization that will completely shift your perspective on both Green Arrow and Oliver Queen.

Are Green Arrow’s Beliefs Genuine?

The Absolute version of Oliver Queen is very similar to the main version, and Absolute Evil #1 effectively sets that up. Originally, Green Arrow was much like Batman, but dressed as Robin Hood. However, that changed during the Silver Age when writer Denny O’Neil and artist Neal Adams transformed him into a passionate liberal in “Hard-Traveling Heroes,” which is considered one of the greatest Green Arrow stories. Ever since, Oliver Queen has largely been a left-leaning hero, often criticizing heroes like Batman and Hawkman as “fascists” and being very vocal about his views on the world.

However, Oliver Queen remains incredibly wealthy. He shares similarities with Bruce Wayne, and continues to collaborate with law enforcement to combat supervillains and gang bosses who exploit vulnerable communities. There’s long been a perception that Green Arrow is somewhat of a contradiction; it’s not that a billionaire can’t hold progressive views, but Green Arrow’s methods often mirror those of the very wealthy individuals he criticizes. He attempts to assist others, but his approach is often the same as those he frequently challenges. Absolute Evil #1 directly addresses this hypocrisy, and it’s arguably the most insightful critique of Green Arrow ever written.

Following the introduction of Absolute Ollie, we meet Absolute Hector Hammond, the villain from Absolute Green Lantern, who is speaking with Ollie’s target, Jubal Slade. Hammond essentially confirms what many have always believed about Oliver Queen. According to Hammond, Ollie understands his efforts won’t succeed, but he craves the feeling of being righteous – he wants to see himself as one of the good guys. Hammond believes Ollie’s actions and words aren’t about helping others, not truly. It’s all about relieving his own guilt and feeling better about his success and power. For years, DC Comics has presented Oliver Queen and his motivations as genuinely heroic, but fans have often disagreed. Absolute Evil #1 marks the first time DC has openly acknowledged what some fans have suspected for a long time.

Hammond suggests that Ollie understands he’s ultimately going to fail, but he accepts it because he believes losing is the right thing to do. It lets him appear morally superior and cast himself as the hero. In fact, Ollie wants to lose; he desires his principles to be proven wrong, as that would allow him to continue fighting indefinitely. Now, it’s important to remember that Hammond is a villain and this story takes place in a different universe, but for longtime fans of Green Arrow, this explanation actually rings true. Ollie rarely takes concrete steps to create the world he envisions; he simply arms himself with arrows and goes out at night to confront those less fortunate, allowing him to feel justified in his own wealth. This pattern has been consistent throughout his character arc.

Green Arrow’s Self-Righteousness Has Always Been Hypocritical

Many DC Comics enthusiasts enjoy Green Arrow, and the character is genuinely entertaining. He’s evolved significantly from being a copy of Batman during his early years-the Golden and Silver Ages-and it’s enjoyable to watch him playfully tease his teammates in the Justice League. However, even more so than Batman, Green Arrow often comes across as a bit of a hypocrite. Absolute Evil #1 effectively highlights this flaw, and it feels consistent with the character’s portrayal in the main DC Universe.

Green Arrow is a compelling character, and when you consider him from the perspective of Absolute Hector Hammond – as a wealthy, self-assured liberal who anticipates failure – it really clicks. Green Arrow often boasts about his efforts, but he doesn’t invest as much as Batman does. Although Absolute Evil #1 has lasting consequences for Ollie, it still offers a fascinating insight into who he is.

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2025-10-02 14:40