DC Just Dropped It's Worst Redesign Yet, And It's Entirely On Purpose

Published Sep 25, 2026, 10:30 PM EDT

An experienced Editor representing Canada via ScreenRant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com.

His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023.

Always a publisher eager to rise to the challenge when it comes to visually reinventing its characters, DC Comics seized yet another golden opportunity upon its introduction of the Absolute Universe. Its worlds are meant to be a darker mirror to the classic continuities. Heroes from this universe face far more perilous odds to survive and grow into their powers and ideals. It's meant some radically different aesthetic changes across its biggest players, from a working-class engineer Batman, to a Wonder Woman raised in Hell, with costumes to match. But DC's massive collection of villains also got the makeover treatment, some diabolical, others downright demonic.

That being said, some redesigns are just as fitting when done intentionally poorly, such as in the case with Absolute Flash. It's taken some particularly radical swings with its characters thanks to primary artist Nick Robles, with Grodd's being a noteworthy, adorable change of pace. While redesign reception can vary for heroes making their Absolute Universe debut in this series, one villain's true form was always bound to be intentionally underwhelming, as the latest issue shows. First appearing in The Flash #128 64 years ago, Abra Kadabra's return boasted a perfect juxtaposition of terrifying and utterly toothless design in his newest appearance.

Classic Flash Villain Gets Perfectly Fitting Costume Downgrade

Abra Kadabra made his in-universe debut in last month's issue, but with Absolute Flash #19, the would-be wizard is exposed for the real man behind the curtain that he is. His initial design was fairly pedestrian in this story, the appearance of a classic balding stage magician, hat included, but with a maniacal aura and a chaotic reputation hinted by the D.E.O. and Hunter Zolomon. But the terrifying Cronenbergian monstrosities left in his wake, including the demise of Grodd, were just that: an illusion as part of the character's classic penchant for deception. Strip away this power, and he's just a weak old man in a vest. But at least he kept the top hat.

Abra Kadabra's appearances throughout DC have usually involved him using advanced technology to create the illusion of magic, and these latest body horror constructs were no exception. But rather than his usual depiction as a man from the 64th Century bringing the tech along with him, this iteration had his vest empowered by Absolute Brainiac in his latest meddling with classic villains, before being set loose by Elenore Thawne as Zolomon laid a vicious beatdown on Wally West. Exposed as a fraud by Grodd before ultimately having his illusion severed and his horror show shut down by Linda Park, Abra Kadabra's true form was suitably pitiful, just a washed-up stage magician promised one last show.

Absolute Flash Is Finally Teaming Up With More Heroes Soon

Classic DC heroes and allies featured so far in Absolute Flash have largely included Ralph and Sue Dibny, Barry Allen, and specifically Linda as Wally's closest friend at this point. Yet, he's also interacted with classic members of the Rogues, including a radically redesigned Firestorm. His latest run-in was with the enigmatic Mirror Master, dangling a tantalizing carrot of taking Wally to rescue his father, Rudy West, in exchange for tracking down Ray Palmer and eventually getting Thawne to set him free from the Mirror Dimension. But the next several issues, starting with Palmer, will bring more classic allies soon.

Wally West can't die... He may be the key to understanding this entire universe.

-Ray Palmer, Absolute Flash #19

Absolute Flash #20 will expand on its introduction of the Absolute Atom, with Cyborg soon to join the mix as Wally's next dimensional detour is to the Microverse. The arc's early synopses raises the question whether even Palmer will be an ally, while ultimately soon setting them all on the path to Thawne's base of operations, the Ultimate Universe's H.I.V.E. True to its name, Wally's confrontation will be more than kicking the average hornet's nest. Much like Abra Kadabra and Hunter Zolomon before, its arsenal of deadly tech is as close to perfectly suited to take on the new speedster as possible as Absolute Flash approaches its next climactic battle.