DC Just Rebooted One of Green Lantern’s Dumbest Ever Villains as a Terrifying Threat

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Long-running comic book heroes often have some truly bizarre villains. The ‘Silver Age’ of comics was a particularly creative period, leading to villains that were larger-than-life, unusual, and very specific in their motivations. You can find examples across many heroes – like Batman’s Calendar Man or Superman’s Titano. But one of the oddest, and arguably silliest, is Green Lantern’s old foe, Goldface.

Goldface first appeared in a 1965 issue of Green Lantern. Keith Kenyon gained a golden appearance after working with centuries-old gold recovered from the ocean. Because older Green Lantern rings couldn’t affect the color yellow, Goldface proved a frustrating opponent – he was simply immune to the hero’s powers, which are usually the most exciting part of any Green Lantern story. The original Goldface quickly became a comical villain and faded into obscurity. However, he’s recently been revamped as a genuinely frightening threat, demonstrating the strength of the Absolute Universe in revitalizing classic characters.

Assassin With a Gun of Gold

The ninth issue of Absolute Green Lantern begins with the skilled assassin Keith Kenyon murdering scientist Steven Dayton on orders from Hector Hammond. Kenyon used a disguise suit that released a special gas, allowing him to impersonate anyone and infiltrate Dayton’s home. He stole a device that connected Dayton to the same cosmic voice heard by the Green Lanterns – a warning about a new threat called the Face of Steel. After confirming Dayton’s death, Hammond immediately tasked Kenyon with eliminating Jo Mullein, who was caring for a comatose Hal Jordan and living with his ex-wife, Cameron Chase.

Jo and Cam had a heated argument, still deeply hurt by past issues in their relationship. Cam brought up Jo’s affair with Renee, and Jo countered that Cam had always prioritized her work over their relationship. Cam admitted Jo had a point, then left to meet her partner, Simon Baz, to figure out their next steps. She told Jo to stay hidden while she was gone, leaving her with the unconscious Hal. However, things quickly fell apart when Simon’s boss betrayed them, immediately informing Hammond about Jo, and Hammond acted swiftly.

Jo was startled when John Stewart knocked, especially since she’d last seen him as an energy being on Oa. She opened the door anyway, but it wasn’t John – it was Keith. He immediately shot Jo with two gold bullets, revealing her vulnerability to the metal and announcing himself with a chilling new identity: Goldface, complete with a frightening mask.

A New Goldface For a New Universe

This new version of Goldface is genuinely frightening and powerful, and it cleverly connects to the established weakness to yellow. Importantly, it’s being presented as a serious threat, rather than a joke. It feels like the writer, Al Ewing, considered how to update these older, Silver Age ideas for today’s more dramatic comics. This approach is a sign of a fantastic reinvention and villain debut, and it showcases one of the best qualities of this comic universe.

The Absolute Universe presents a world driven by darkness and negativity, but it doesn’t eliminate heroism. Instead, it reimagines heroes as underdogs, fundamentally altering them while preserving their essential goodness. The series truly shines in its ability to revitalize familiar ideas – consider the new take on Superman’s beginnings and Wonder Woman’s transformation into a princess of Hell. These changes aren’t just for shock value; they’re designed to emphasize what makes these characters strong and captivating.

These changes thoughtfully build upon the original source material, offering a fresh perspective while still celebrating what came before. Rather than ignoring established continuity, this approach honors it in a creative way. The reimagining of Goldface, for example, allows for a more impactful portrayal than would be possible in the main storyline, all while staying true to his core character. This blend of innovation and respect for the past is what makes the Absolute Universe so compelling and unique.

Absolute Green Lantern #9 is on sale now!

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2025-12-05 01:15