The Green Lanterns Have a New God-Level Villain, But Who In the World Is Abin Sur?

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Absolute Green Lantern #1!The Absolute Universe finally has the presence of a Green Lantern, but can humanity trust the mysterious Abin Sur who has come to Earth? After months of waiting, Absolute Green Lantern has arrived, and it’s brought a lot of changes to DC lore, including a key figure who may be a harbinger of doom.

In Absolute Green Lantern #1 by Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay, the town of Evergreen is invaded by a giant green structure in the shape of the Green Lantern Corps symbol. Hal Jordan, Jo Mullein, and John Stewart check it out and note how odd and alien it is. In fact, Jo spots a four-armed alien floating in the sky near the structure.

Days later, Hal recounts the event to a diner, revealing that the alien’s name is Abin Sur and that it gave Hal a weapon; a mysterious black energy that aborbs anyone it senses as a threat.

Abin Sur Has Turned Hal Jordan Into a Living Weapon

But Why is Hal’s Predecessor So Dangerous in the Absolute Universe?

DC Comics fans know that before Hal Jordan was Green Lantern, Sector 2814 was protected by Abin Sur, often regarded as one of the greats. However, Sur became obsessed with a prophecy that spoke of his ring failing him when he needed it most and that prophecy became a self-fulfilling one the more he tried to avoid his fate. Abin Sur was fatally wounded and crash-landed on Earth, but before he perished, he had his ring seek out a replacement, which settled on Hal. While Hal never knew Abin, he heard word of how good a Green Lantern Sur was.

But if Abin Sur is such a good Green Lantern, why is he coming off like an alien invader here, not to mention passing on a weapon to Hal that he can’t control? One must remember that this is the Absolute Universe, a world that is predicated on Darkseid energy. Things are darker and more challenging for the heroes here and in some cases, characters are corrupted. It’s obviously too early to tell if Sur is a true villain or if he’s testing Hal and his friends to see if they have what it takes to be true Green Lanterns.

Abin Sur Wants to Determine if the Earthlings Have the Will to Wield the Green Lantern’s Might

Hal, Jo, John, and More Are About to Be Tested Like Never Before

The Absolute Universe isn’t broken, things are just majorly stacked against the heroes. In the Green Lanterns’ case, it makes sense that they aren’t just given a ring or special powers, but rather, have to really work to master the immense power. Then again, in a world shaped by Darkseid, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that he’s managed to corrupt Abin and thus Hal. But Abin’s clearly taking a more active role in the Absolute Universe and, whatever his true motivations, he’s going to make the Green Lanterns work harder than they ever have before.

Absolute Green Lantern #1 is available now from DC Comics.