Gossip: The History of DC Comics' Absolute Universe is revealed in Absolute Evil (Absolute Spoilers)

The Absolute Universe has been a rip-roaring success for DC Comics. With new takes on DC's classic superheroes in a darker side of the DC Universe, created from Darkseid's own essence. DC's K.O. will reveal that there is a Heart Of Apokalips at the centre of the Absolute Earth, feeding all the power to Darkseid. And in Absolute Evil, the one-shot for the year anniversary of the Absolute Universe, we are introduced to more of its roots in the history of the 20th century, where traditional DC Comics plotlines were curtailed. It is another similarity to Marvel's new Ultimate Universe, as familiar stories were snipped off when they were in the bud. Of course, this entails spoilers... and one of these images.

Bleeding Cool gets the word that in the Absolute Universe, Wesley Dodds becomes the Sandman in 1939, but is then assassinated, with the US government seizing his equipment and developing new nerve gas weapons to use in World War II. In 1941, Ted Grant, the vigilante Wildcat is bought off from looking into safety standards breaches when building those new weapons. In 1951, we have Hawkman ratting out superheroes for being communists to the Un-American Activities Committee. And Iron Munro - the character created by DC to replace Superman's role in the fifties - is pulled in, doesn't name names, though his is tarnished, and then he dies from an accidental government chemical attack. The world order and status quo have been maintained. Until now.

Because Absolute Wonder Woman has her own innate authority. Absolute Superman inspires rebellion. Absolute Batman refused to be bought off. The order is breaking down. And that will not do...

Absolute Evil begins with Veronica Cale, the Director of National Security of the US Government, meeting Hector Hammond, Ra's Al Ghul, The Joker, and Elenore Thawne to determine how they can help each other in the future. It is not an easy meeting.