WARNING: Contains Spoilers for Absolute Green Lantern #1!There’s no denying that Green Lantern twist. And who is the host of this symbiote-like creature? None other than DC’s own Hal Jordan.

Most fans probably didn’t have Green Lantern bonding with a Venom-like entity on their 2025 bingo card...

Al Ewing, Jahnoy Lindsay, and Lucas Gattoni’s Absolute Green Lantern #1 has arrived, and from this single issue, it’s clear that Ewing is diving headfirst into sci-fi horror with DC’s favorite corps.

While multiple Green Lanterns appear, the narrative primarily follows a deeply distraught Hal Jordan, who seems to be in shock and is desperately concealing a deadly weapon in his pocket. However, it’s soon revealed that the "weapon" is actually his own hand, infected by a shapeshifting black mass that unmistakably parallels Marvel’s symbiotes.

Hal Jordan Is Officially the Host of a Deadly Alien in the Absolute Universe

Cover B Juliet Nneka Variant for Absolute Green Lantern #2 (2025)

At the start of the issue, Hal Jordan is seen at a restaurant, enjoying time with John Stewart and Sojourner Mullein when a mysterious forcefield suddenly encloses the town. Hal and the others investigate, with Hal boldly reaching out to touch it. The comic then jumps forward in time multiple times, each skip showing Hal growing increasingly agitated while keeping his hand hidden in his jacket pocket. The reason for his secrecy is finally revealed during a confrontation with another diner patron, who forcibly yanks Hal’s hand from his pocket, exposing it as a hand-shaped black void. The entity then lashes out, killing the man who attacked Hal.

From there, the situation rapidly escalates, culminating in the parasite slaughtering everyone in the diner. Although the black entity remains primarily confined to Hal’s hand, it moves in a way reminiscent of Marvel’s symbiotes, shapeshifting and striking out with inky tendrils. However, unlike symbiotes, its tendrils don’t just ensnare victims; they cause them to vanish into thin air, as if being swallowed by a void. Additionally, the entity possesses powerful regenerative abilities, completely healing a bullet wound Hal sustains in his abdomen. While its origins remain a mystery, it appears to be connected to Abin Sur, an alien Hal encountered when a massive Green Lantern symbol crashed into his town.

Green Lantern Is Basically the Host of Venom in the Absolute Universe

Cover I 1:25 Martin Simmonds Variant for Absolute Green Lantern #1 (2025)

While there are some key differences between Hal’s alien entity and Marvel’s Venom, the visual similarities are undeniable. With this Absolute Universe development, DC has effectively introduced its own version of Venom. The biggest question now is whether this parasitic creature has a distinct personality like Marvel’s symbiotes, or if it merely reacts to direct threats—as so far, it hasn’t vocalized. Most fans probably didn’t have Green Lantern bonding with a Venom-like entity on their 2025 bingo card, but there’s no denying that this twist is absolutely epic.

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