The DC Universe is about to get a whole lot more savage. Just when you thought the Absolute Universe couldn’t pack any more surprises, DC drops a bombshell at Rose City Comic Con 2025: a brand-new, reimagined Hawkman is soaring into the fray. But this isn’t the hero you know. Get ready for a darker, more complex take on the Winged Wonder, as the Absolute Universe welcomes what could be its newest anti-hero.
Source: Reddit (r/DCcomics)
DC’s Absolute Universe, the brainchild of superstar writer Scott Snyder, has been a massive hit with fans, offering fresh and often brutal takes on iconic heroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. Now, it seems the universe is expanding its roster with some fan-favorite Justice Leaguers. We already knew a new Green Arrow was on the way, but the surprise announcement of Absolute Hawkman has sent the comic book world into a frenzy. What does this mean for the future of the Absolute Universe? And just how different will this new Hawkman be? Let’s dive in and unpack everything we know so far.
The Big Reveal: Absolute Hawkman Takes Center Stage
The news broke during DC’s retailer presentation at Rose City Comic Con 2025, a venue that has become a hotbed for major comic announcements. While fans were still buzzing about the upcoming Absolute Evil one-shot, which will unite the villains of the Absolute Universe for the first time, DC dropped the Hawkman bombshell. According to reports, DC’s Director of Special Sales, Greg Gustin, teased the arrival of “a couple of new Absolute heroes — or maybe anti-heroes,” directly referencing the new Hawkman. [1]
This deliberate ambiguity has fueled speculation that the Absolute Universe’s version of Carter Hall (or whichever incarnation of Hawkman they choose to go with) will be a far cry from the noble hero we’ve seen in the main DCU. The term “anti-hero” suggests a character with a more flexible moral compass, someone who isn’t afraid to get their hands dirty to achieve their goals. Given the often-brutal nature of the Absolute Universe, this new direction for Hawkman feels right at home.
Source: Reddit
The Mastermind Behind the Madness: Al Ewing Takes the Reins
Adding to the excitement is the reveal of the creative team behind this new Hawkman. The character will make his debut in the Absolute Evil one-shot, penned by none other than the critically acclaimed writer Al Ewing. [1] Ewing is no stranger to reimagining iconic characters, having delivered stunning and thought-provoking runs on Marvel’s The Immortal Hulk and The Immortal Thor. His work is known for its deep dives into character psychology, its willingness to challenge established canon, and its ability to blend high-concept sci-fi with gut-punching horror.
Ewing is already a key player in the Absolute Universe, helming the successful Absolute Green Lantern series. His involvement with Absolute Hawkman suggests that DC is putting some serious creative muscle behind this new venture. With artists Giuseppe Camuncoli and Stefano Nesi bringing Ewing’s vision to life, we can expect a visually stunning and narratively rich debut for this new anti-hero.
Source: League of Comic Geeks
What This Means for the Absolute Universe
The introduction of Absolute Hawkman, alongside the previously announced Absolute Green Arrow, signals a significant expansion of the Absolute Universe. What started as a fresh take on DC’s trinity has quickly evolved into a full-fledged alternate reality with its own unique history and power dynamics. The fact that both Green Arrow and Hawkman are getting their own series (or at least, a one-shot debut that could lead to a series) suggests that DC is committed to building out this new world.
Source: PenguinRandomHouse.com
The choice of Hawkman is particularly interesting. The character has one of the most complex and often convoluted backstories in all of comics, with a history of reincarnations, alien origins, and shifting identities. This makes him ripe for a reimagining. The Absolute Universe offers a clean slate, a chance to streamline Hawkman’s story and present a definitive, modern take on the character. Will he be a Thanagarian warrior? A reincarnated Egyptian prince? Or something entirely new? The possibilities are endless, and in the hands of a writer like Al Ewing, we can expect the unexpected.
The Final Word: A New Era for the Winged Wonder
The announcement of Absolute Hawkman is a thrilling development for DC fans. It promises a dark, complex, and exciting new take on a classic character, and it signals a bold new chapter for the Absolute Universe. With a top-tier creative team at the helm, this is one comic you won’t want to miss. Get ready to see Hawkman as you’ve never seen him before.
Absolute Evil #1 hits shelves on October 1, 2025.
References
[1] McMillan, Graeme. “DC is revamping Hawkman for the Absolute line this October – and other “heroes – or maybe anti-heroes” with him”. Popverse. Published September 7, 2025. https://www.thepopverse.com/comics-absolute-hawkman-evil-al-ewing-dc-rose-city-comic-con-2025
