DC Comics' Absolute Universe has been knocking it out of the park with each issue, and it has done so by changing things from the main DC continuity. In this case, there’s Absolute Green Lantern - A series that began with Hal Jordan having an ink-black arm that he can’t control, and has killed people.
In the first issue during a flashback, a green sphere traps the people of Evergreen, Nevada, inside it. The being controlling it is an alien named Abin Sur. In DC’s prime universe, Sur is a hero. Here, it doesn’t appear that he is.
Sur has killed two police officers (one of them is Guy Gardner, who was the chief of police) and cut someone else’s hand off. And when you think you understand him, Jo Mullein appears in the present with a Green Lantern Ring and uniform. So we don’t know much about what’s going on with him. However, we do know that he’s judging people and making them disappear in a flash of green light from his hand.
Recently, in Absolute Green Lantern No. 3, John Stewart became the most recent victim of Abin Sur’s judgment. The thing is, while he and Guy Gardner disappeared during judgment, I don’t think they’re dead.
Absolute Green Lantern No. 3 creative team
- Writer: Al Ewing
- Artist: Jahnoy Lindsay
- Colorist: Jahnoy Lindsay
Let’s look at the facts. In Absolute Green Lantern No. 2, Abin Sur killed a police officer via decapitation and chopped off another’s hand after they tried to kill him. But when Guy Gardner confronts Sur peacefully, Guy disappears in a flash of green light from Sur's hand after judgment.
In issue No. 3 (once again, days prior), John Stewart learns how to leave the green sphere, and Sur appears again. He judges John and flashes the same green light at him. The weird thing is that John didn't look like he was in pain when he was hit. In fact, he looked at Hal Jordan and Jo and smiled. Guy looked hurt when the light hit him, but the look could have been more of shock than pain.
So what does all this mean? It seems to me that Sur's judgment isn't killing people with his light. He's creating new Lantern Corps members. That would explain why Jo Mullein came back with powers. Because, according to Hal Jordan, Sur did something to her, and she returned with superpowers. Maybe, when people show something other than fear and rage, Sur transports them away for judgment.
Furthermore, the beginning of each issue starts with something saying "Be Without Fear" and the name of one of the characters. So far, it has been Hal, Jo, and John. The next issue will likely be Guy. Why is that? Because they aren't dead. They're being tested and recruited.
This is all speculation, but I’d bet that we’ll see Absolute Guy Gardner and John Stewart in Green Lantern uniforms before this volume ends. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow to see if that happens.
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