One of the most underrated villains the Justice League has ever faced has arrived in the Absolute Universe. In the past year or so, DC Comics has overhauled many of its iconic foes in terrifying new ways. Seriously, just look at the Joker and the horrifying monster form he revealed in December’s Absolute Batman #15. But despite all the threats that the Absolute heroes have faced so far, DC has only scratched the surface. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of enemies in DC Comics canon, and in the Absolute Universe, any of them could show up at any time.
In case you haven’t been keeping track, we’re in the sophomore year of the Absolute Universe, and we know bigger threats are on the way. Absolute Wonder Woman just debuted this world’s version of the Suicide Squad, and popular foes like Poison Ivy and Black Adam are on their way in the coming months. But in the most recent issue of the fan-favorite title, Absolute Martian Manhunter, fans are getting a reinvented villain they never saw coming, and it very well could be one of the most devious threats to emerge so far.
Justice League Villain Despero Returns as Despair-the-Zero
In Absolute Martian Manhunter #8 by Deniz Camp, Javier Rodriguez, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, paranoia is skyrocketing in Middleton, and everyone is informing on their neighbors, friends, and families. But the good news is that the FBI is so overwhelmed with tips that John Jones is allowed to go back into the field. However, Jones is preoccupied with one thought: Getting his wife back. He heads to a bar to ruminate on his situation, but his thoughts are clouded by the Martian, who is intent that the investigate the White Martian’s influence on the citizens of Middleton.
But John doesn’t have time for that and demands that the Martian give him one night off so that John can go speak to his wife to try and repair their relationship. The Martian acquiesces and heads out to do some solo investigation. However, little does the Martian know that a sinister organization known as the Agency is hot on the Martian’s trail. And while John strikes up a conversation with his wife, Bridget, the Martian fights for his life when the Agency comes gunning for him. Sadly, the Agency succeeds in its mission and captures the Martian.
John doesn’t make much progress with Bridget and returns home, noting that something is off. He can still hear the thoughts and feelings of people around him, but now there’s a sinister tone to them, rooted in hopelessness and glee. John finally notices the demonic-looking entity in his room and asks who they are. The monster claims they go by many names, such as Despair-the-Killer or Despair-the-Empty, but the one that really hits is Despair-the-Zero. The new entity wraps an arm around John and introduces themselves as John’s new partner.
Despair-the-Zero is Bad News for the Absolute Universe
It’s understandable if you’ve never heard of anyone called Despair-the-Zero, because there is no such villain in the Prime DC Universe. There is, however, Despero, an alien villain who frequently battles the Justice League, most notably, Martian Manhunter. So just like how J’onn and the White Martians were reinvented to be less like literal aliens and more like psychic parasites, Despero has followed suit. Though Despair-the-Zero seems to be a bit more like the White Martian in that they’re an entity that takes pleasure in negative emotions and feelings (i.e., the complete opposite of the Martian).
While I can’t say I saw this coming in this book, I had a feeling a reinvented Despero was going to pop up somewhere. After all, in the Free Comic Book Day special DC Comics released last year, we saw that Mirror Master had a bunch of clues hinting at future developments for the Absolute Universe, one of which was a note that read “Despair-0“. From that hint and given that Despero is one of Martian Manhunter’s villains in the Prime DC Universe, I think we can safely say that Despair-the-Zero is going to play a huge role going forward.
What do you think about Despair-the-Zero’s debut in Absolute Martian Manhunter? Let us know in the comments or share your thoughts on the ComicBook Forum!