DC Announces It's Rebooting One Of Its Oldest Heroes As a Villain
DC has announced it is rebooting one of its oldest heroes as a villain. The publisher’s new Absolute imprint has been one of the biggest things to hit the comics’ industry in many years. By offering iconoclastic takes on DC’s biggest heroes, the line has been a smash hit with both critics and fans.
The Absolute Universe is built around one central concept: thanks to Darkseid’s meddling, the heroes of this Earth are without their usual advantages. Most famously, Batman is not wealthy, and instead a working-class hero. Wonder Woman was raised in Hell by Circe while the Martian Manhunter is a disembodied entity possessing a human. In contrast, the villains of the Absolute line are far more successful, often occupying positions of extreme power. In short, Absolute Earth is a bleak place, one in desperate need for heroes.
After introducing the Absolute versions of the Trinity, as well as Green Lantern, the Flash and Martian Manhunter, DC began rolling out other heroes too, including Green Arrow, here cast as a serial killer who targets the wealthy. Absolute Green Arrow’s book led to the debut of Absolute Black Canary, and now, in a special one-shot, one of DC’s oldest heroes is returning, this time as a villain.
DC Introduces Absolute Wildcat, And They Are A Villain?
DC has released its January solicitations, including one for Absolute Black Canary , written by Pornsak Pichetshote and drawn by Belen Ortega. The one-shot will introduce the Absolute version of Wildcat, only here they are a villain. DC’s solicitation for Absolute Black Canary reads as follows:
Dinah Lance’s confrontation with the Green Arrow led her to startling and disturbing discoveries about herself—and her deceased mother. Now she’s traveled to the streets of Bangkok in search of clues hinting at her mother’s secret motivations and placing her in the murderous crosshairs of the new Absolute Wildcat, as Dinah stumbles onto another mystery—this one at the core of the history of the Absolute Universe, one tracing all the way back to Absolute Evil and drawn by Eisner-nominated Belén Oretga!
Dinah Lance’s confrontation with the Green Arrow led her to startling and disturbing discoveries about herself—and her deceased mother. Now she’s traveled to the streets of Bangkok in search of clues hinting at her mother’s secret motivations and placing her in the murderous crosshairs of the new Absolute Wildcat, as Dinah stumbles onto another mystery—this one at the core of the history of the Absolute Universe, one tracing all the way back to Absolute Evil and drawn by Eisner-nominated Belén Oretga!
In addition, DC released Ortega’s cover for Absolute Black Canary , shared here.
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The debut of Absolute Wildcat raises questions about what the one-shot might tackle. The solicitation is worded in such a way that the Absolute Wildcat might not be the original version. The first Wildcat was active in the Second World War, and unless he has access to means of extending his age, then he could very well be dead by the time Absolute Black Canary begins. If this is the case, then who is the new Wildcat?
The Original Wildcat Is One Of DC’s Oldest Heroes
Could Ted Grant’s Successor Be Absolute Wildcat?
Wildcat is one of DC’s oldest heroes, debuting in 1942’s Sensation Comics . The alias of boxer Ted Grant, Wildcat is considered one of the best fighters in the DC Universe, and is notable for training younger heroes. In the mainstream DC Universe, Wildcat trained Black Canary, among others. DC’s solicitation for Absolute Black Canary seems to imply this is also the case on the Absolute Earth. If this new, villainous Wildcat is indeed Ted Grant, then the question becomes what turned him evil.
DC may be pulling a bait and switch with fans as well. In 1985, during the Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC introduced a new Wildcat: Yolanda Montez, who briefly replaced Ted Grant. DC left the gender of the new Wildcat vague, perhaps as a smokescreen. Fans might automatically assume Grant is the Absolute Wildcat, but in reality it could very well be Montez. Montez was younger than Grant, increasing the possibility that she is the Wildcat that Black Canary will face.
A Black Canary/Wildcat Fight Would Be Brutal
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Regardless of which Wildcat it is, Black Canary is in for the fight of her life. Black Canary has a reputation as a great hand-to-hand fighter, as does Wildcat. The two could keep each other at bay, neither getting the advantage nor the upper hand. The possibility the two could fight each to the death is real, and given the dark nature of the Absolute Universe, it is likely this Wildcat is a killer who will not hesitate to use lethal force on Black Canary.
It is also worth noting that on this Earth, Wildcat’s comrade in the Justice Society, Hawkman, ratted the team out to the United States government. If the Absolute Wildcat was Ted Grant, then that would make him the second Justice Society member to go rogue. If the entire Justice Society has turned evil, then DC’s Absolute Universe is bleaker than fans thought.
Absolute Black Canary is on sale January 20 from DC Comics!
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