WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for ABSOLUTE FLASH #2 (2025)!DC’s Absolute Universe has delivered some utterly wild redesigns for fan-favorite characters across its ongoing titles, includingAbsolute Batmanwith the Joker,Absolute Green Lanternwith Hal Jordan, and now, perhaps the most radical of all, inAbsoluteFlash. This iconic villain’s new redesign is so drastically different from his usual look that fans might not even recognize him at first glance.
Jeff Lemire, Nick Robles, and Adriano Lucas’Absolute Flashreturns with issue #2, asWally West continues to grapplewith his newfound super speed powers. In this issue, more layers of the mystery surrounding the teen’s powers are revealed, confirming that Wally gained his abilities after one of Barry Allen’s experiments went wrong.
And while Wally’s new powers are terrifying on their own, the stakes escalate when the mercenary group of Trickster, Golden Glider, Captain Boomerang, and Captain Cold attempt to capture him. When their efforts fail,they call in the ‘big’ guns: Gorilla Grodd.
Gorilla Grodd Officially Debuts in the Absolute Universe with Wild Redesign
Main Cover by Nick Robles forAbsolute Flash#3 (2025)
Those familiar with the Flash’s rogues gallery know that Gorilla Grodd is typically depicted as a massive, hulking gorilla. However,Absolute Flash#2gives the iconic villain a striking visual overhaul byreimagining Grodd as something closer to a capuchin monkey, with a distinctly alien twist.In addition to dramatically shrinking his size, DC has introduced a physiology that leans heavily into sci-fi. Grodd is now a vibrant blue-green, with a crown-like horn structure encasing his exposed brain, which lacks a traditional cranium.
This may be the most radically different redesign of any character in the Absolute Universe so far, with onlyAbsolute Batman’s cryptid-inspired Mr. Freezecoming close. But where Mr. Freeze is nightmare fuel,Grodd is almost impossibly adorable, offering an unprecedented level of cuteness for a DC villain. Still, fans should not let appearances fool them. Captain Cold warns that Grodd is dangerous, choosing to unleash him as a last resort when the team fails to capture Wally. This strongly suggests that despite his new size and charm, Grodd holds immense power in the Absolute Universe.
It’s Official: 2025 Is the Year of Gorilla Grodd
Cover B Jorge Corona Variant forAbsolute Flash#2 (2025)
Fans may find this version of Gorilla Grodd familiar, and that is likely because previouslyreleased cover art forAbsolute Flashfeatured the creature. While Screen Rant and many fans speculated that the monkey on Wally’s shoulder was Grodd,Absolute Flash#2 provides the first official confirmation that this creature is indeed Grodd. It is safe to assume that Grodd will play a major role in theAbsolute Flashnarrative. However, this is not the only series where Grodd is making a monumental comeback. Mark Waid’s upcoming crossover event,We Are Yesterday, will also feature Gorilla Grodd as the primary antagonist. BetweenAbsolute Flashand DC’s major crossover, 2025 is shaping up to be the year ofGorilla Grodd.
