Warning! Spoilers ahead for Crime Syndicate #1
In Crime Syndicate #1, Oliver Queen is the president of Earth-3, surpassing the normal version of the Green Arrow. Unlike Ultraman, this alternate version of one of DC’s greatest heroes is not a villain, but a morally twisted power seeker. The issue reveals that Oliver would do anything to be in such a place of power, which completely contrasts with his Earth-0 counterpart.
Earth-3’s cities are ruled by tyrant vigilantes, showing an alternate angle of what the Justice League would be like if they were evil. The moral perspective of Earth-3 is flipped, reversing the status of the Justice League’s heroes. Everything is terrible as the Crime Syndicate’s members rule their cities with a relentless touch. However, the power structures aren’t reversed. Most people are where readers are used to seeing them, although in different positions. Ultraman is a prime example as he is the so-called protector of Metropolis, but instead of being loved like Superman, he is feared. The principle of his position as a “hero” is nearly identical, but his intentions are the opposite.
In Crime Syndicate #1 by Andy Schmidt and Kieran McKeown, President Queen is quite literally strung up in Earth-3’s Oval Office. Manipulated by Superwoman, it’s quite obvious that this version of Oliver lacks the heroism and morals of his heroic counterpart from Earth-0. And his lack of such qualities has boosted his political accomplishments. Oliver is in a very similar situation to what fans are used to seeing him, in a place of power. Albeit, he has never become president before.
Oliver has been mayor of Star City before, with many storylines tracking his campaign to power. He sought to take up an elected position to continue his fight against crime through the political system whilst also donning the hood and taking down criminals as the Green Arrow. The issue reveals that Oliver’s political avenues could’ve widened up if his morals were more in line with Earth-3’s successful version of himself. All he needed was to do to surpass his prior accomplishments is bring down his morals.
In the end, Oliver’s heroism halted a greater political career that could’ve seen him being sworn into the Oval Office. Giving an insight into this power-hungry version of the Green Arrow, readers can appreciate the normal Oliver much more. It’s a neat twist on his usual story, putting him into a similar position of power but accentuating it by twisting his morals and ethics. Although Earth-3 Oliver Queen is not a supervillain like his manipulator Superwoman, he gives off an undesirable affect as it’s clear that he will do anything to hold the presidency – which is a complete contrast to Earth-0’s Green Arrow.
