DC Just Created Its Own Hulk, And the Result Is Terrifying

Published Jul 16, 2026, 7:57 PM EDT TJ Mills is an editor on ScreenRant's Comic team, where she combines her lifelong passion for DC with her analytical background as a former Intelligence Analyst. Since joining ScreenRant in 2023, she has specialized in covering major DC storylines, character evolutions, and industry developments. Sign in to your ScreenRant account There’s no denying that, for the majority of people in the world, if they saw the Hulk or anything similar barreling toward them, they’d likely lose more than one bodily byproduct. However, as terrifying as the Hulk can be, DC’s latest reimagining of one of Batman’s most iconic villains may be even more frightening. In October 2024, DC launched one of its most ambitious initiatives to date with the introduction of the Darkseid-created Absolute Universe. This alternate reality reimagined many of the publisher’s most iconic characters as darker, more hardcore versions of themselves, spawning a growing lineup of titles, including Absolute Green Arrow by writer Pornsak Pichetshote and artist Rafael Albuquerque. So far, the series has followed Dinah Lance as she attempts to capture, and survive, the mysterious Green Arrow Killer. This particular Absolute title has played out like a slasher-horror mystery, growing more disturbing with each new issue. Absolute Green Arrow #3, the latest installment in the series, features the debut of one of DC’s most iconic villains, whose physical appearance has long been compared to Marvel’s Hulk: Solomon Grundy. While Grundy has always been one of Batman’s most physically intimidating rogues, his new Absolute redesign is the stuff of nightmares. DC Officially Reveals Absolute Solomon Grundy Comic Page Comes from Pornsak Pichetshote’s Absolute Green Arrow #3 (2026) - Art by Rafael Albuquerque If you’ve been following Absolute Green Arrow, then you know the series goes far beyond your typical serial killer story. Dinah’s investigation into, and attempts to capture, the Green Arrow Killer have opened one horrifying can of worms after another. In the previous issue, Dinah discovered the corpse of a young boy covered in eyeballs during her investigation. Furthermore, the body, which should have been in a state of decomposition, was perfectly intact. This shocking discovery raised more questions than answers and led Dinah to believe the Green Arrow Killer has some connection to her ex-boyfriend, the recently deceased Oliver Queen. That realization sends Dinah searching for people who were once close to Oliver, and in issue #3, she finally tracks down a notably distressed and mentally unstable Roy Harper. Bold Reimagining · Alternate DC Universe Test Your DC ComicsAbsolute Universe Knowledge ♆️SupermanReimagined 🦇BatmanNo billions ⚔️Wonder WomanReforged ⚡FlashSpeed 🌐UniverseAbsolute ENTER THE ABSOLUTE UNIVERSE → 01 DC’s Absolute Universe is a new line of comics launched in late 2024 that reimagines iconic DC heroes in a world without the legacy advantages they traditionally have. Which DC event/storyline set up the creation of the Absolute Universe? ADark Crisis BInfinite Frontier CDarkseid’s rewriting of the DC Multiverse in the current continuity DFlashpoint Beyond ✓ Correct! The Absolute Universe was born from Darkseid rewriting reality in the current DC continuity. This cosmic act of villainy created a parallel world where DC’s greatest heroes exist without the advantages and support systems they traditionally rely on. ✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Darkseid’s rewriting of the DC Multiverse. While Dark Crisis, Infinite Frontier, and Flashpoint Beyond are all significant DC events, it was Darkseid’s manipulation of reality that gave birth to the Absolute Universe. NEXT → 02 In Absolute Superman, Kal-El’s origin is dramatically different from the main universe. Instead of being raised by the Kents in Smallville, how does Absolute Superman grow up? AHe is raised by the government BHe grows up on Krypton CHe is raised in an immigrant community with no wealth or privilege DHe is raised by Lex Luthor ✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Kal-El lands not with the Kents but in an immigrant community, growing up without wealth or privilege. This reimagining strips away Superman’s traditional support system while keeping his core values of hope and justice intact. ✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is that he’s raised in an immigrant community with no wealth or privilege. The Absolute line is built on the concept of heroes without their traditional advantages, and Superman’s new upbringing reflects this perfectly. NEXT → 03 Absolute Batman reimagines Bruce Wayne without his billionaire status. In this version, Bruce Wayne has a very different civilian occupation. What is Absolute Batman’s day job? APolice officer BEngineer / construction worker CTeacher DJournalist ✓ Correct! In the Absolute Universe, Bruce Wayne works as an engineer and construction worker. Without the Wayne fortune or Wayne Enterprises, this Bruce builds his gear and gadgets with his own hands and working-class ingenuity, making him a truly self-made Batman. ✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is engineer / construction worker. Absolute Batman strips Bruce Wayne of his billionaire status entirely. This Bruce is a massive, imposing figure who uses his engineering skills and physical labor background to craft his own Batman arsenal. NEXT → 04 Absolute Batman’s costume and physique are dramatically different from the traditional Batman. This version of Bruce Wayne is much larger and more imposing. Who is the writer of Absolute Batman? ATom King BJames Tynion IV CScott Snyder DChip Zdarsky ✓ Correct! Scott Snyder, who previously wrote the acclaimed New 52 Batman run, is the writer of Absolute Batman. His bold reimagining of Bruce Wayne as a working-class hero without billions has been one of the breakout hits of the Absolute Universe line. ✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Scott Snyder. Known for his legendary Batman run featuring the Court of Owls and other iconic storylines, Snyder returned to the Dark Knight with Absolute Batman, completely reinventing Bruce Wayne for this new universe. NEXT → 05 Absolute Wonder Woman reimagines Diana in a significantly different setting. In this version, the character’s mythology and origin pull from different cultural influences. Who is the writer of Absolute Wonder Woman? AG. Willow Wilson BKelly Thompson CBecky Cloonan DMariko Tamaki ✓ Correct! Kelly Thompson writes Absolute Wonder Woman, bringing a fresh take on Diana’s mythology and origin. This version reimagines Wonder Woman’s world with different cultural influences while maintaining the warrior spirit at the core of the character. ✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Kelly Thompson. While all four writers are acclaimed in the comics industry, it’s Thompson who helms Absolute Wonder Woman, crafting a bold new vision for Diana in the Absolute Universe. NEXT → 06 The Absolute Universe was created as a result of Darkseid altering reality. A key difference is that in this universe, heroes don’t have the traditional advantages and support systems. What concept describes this — that these heroes exist without their usual “safety nets”? AHeroes without legacy BHeroes without hope CHeroes without privilege DGrounded heroes ✓ Correct! “Heroes without legacy” is the core concept of the Absolute Universe. These versions of DC’s iconic characters exist without the inherited advantages, mentors, wealth, and support networks that traditionally define them — forcing them to become heroes purely on their own terms. ✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is “Heroes without legacy.” The Absolute Universe is built on the idea that Darkseid stripped these heroes of their legacies — Batman has no fortune, Superman has no Kents, Wonder Woman has no Themyscira as we know it. NEXT → 07 Absolute Flash reimagines Wally West in the Absolute Universe. In this version, the Flash’s connection to the Speed Force is portrayed differently. Who is the writer of Absolute Flash? AJeff Lemire BJoshua Williamson CMark Waid DJeremy Adams ✓ Correct! Jeff Lemire, known for his deeply human storytelling in titles like Sweet Tooth and Animal Man, writes Absolute Flash. His take on Wally West reimagines the speedster’s relationship with the Speed Force in the context of the Absolute Universe’s stripped-down heroic landscape. ✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jeff Lemire. While Williamson, Waid, and Adams have all written excellent Flash stories in the main continuity, it’s Lemire who brings his unique storytelling vision to Absolute Flash. NEXT → 08 Absolute Superman is written and drawn by a critically acclaimed creator who handles both the writing and art duties on the series. Who is this creator? AJim Lee BJason Aaron (writer) with Rafa Sandoval (art) CGrant Morrison DJorge Jiménez ✓ Correct! Absolute Superman is written by Jason Aaron with art by Rafa Sandoval. Together they’ve crafted a powerful reimagining of Kal-El, placing him in an immigrant community without the Kent family’s support, creating one of the most compelling new takes on the character in years. ✗ That answer didn’t make it through the Absolute reboot! The answer is Jason Aaron (writer) with Rafa Sandoval (art). While Jim Lee, Grant Morrison, and Jorge Jiménez are all legendary DC creators, it’s the Aaron and Sandoval team that brings Absolute Superman to life. REVEAL MY SCORE → Analysis Complete Your Absolute Knowledge / 8 Are you an Absolute expert — or still in the main continuity? ↻ TRY AGAIN Roy leads Dinah to an underground facility known as "the Island," which is connected to the villainous Hector Hammond, Dinah’s current employer. As he guides her through the lab, Roy, in a manic state, begins ranting about how all billionaires eventually become obsessed with one thing: the anti-aging industry. He then claims they ultimately figured out how to resurrect the dead, and that Oliver was one of the people they tested the process on. At this point, Dinah believes Roy has completely lost his mind. However, he then reveals one of the test subjects: a man seemingly stripped of all his bones and organs, reduced to little more than a pile of skin, yet somehow still alive. Roy explains that the test subjects were each given nursery rhyme codenames. It's at this moment that the pair are interrupted by the arrival of the monstrous Solomon Grundy. However, the Absolute version of the character is unlike anything fans have ever seen before. The gray-skinned behemoth is covered in eyes, just like the boy Dinah found on Oliver’s property. Absolute Green Arrow #3 ends with the shocking reveal of Solomon Grundy, leaving readers with one terrifying question: Why do these anti-death experiments appear to cover their subjects in eyeballs? Whatever the answer, it will likely be something truly horrifying. And if Roy is right that Oliver Queen is still alive, he may very well be running around covered in eyeballs as well. Absolute Green Arrow definitely has a lot of questions to answer as the narrative progresses, but so far the unknowns have been one of the best parts of the title. Absolute Green Arrow #3 from DC Comics is now available to read! Green Arrow