Absolute Justice

"Absolute Justice" is the eleventh episode of the ninth season of the American television series Smallville, and the 185th episode of the overall series. The episode originally aired on The CW on February 5, 2010 in the United States, and was initially slated to be two individual episodes before it was ultimately turned into a double-length single episode. Glen Winter directed the first half, originally known as "Society", while series star Tom Welling directed the second half, which was called "Legends". Comic book author Geoff Johns, who wrote the season eight episode "Legion", wrote both parts of "Absolute Justice".

In the episode's narrative, Clark Kent (Welling), Chloe Sullivan (Allison Mack), Oliver Queen / Green Arrow (Justin Hartley) and John Jones (Phil Morris) meet a team of superheroes, the Justice Society of America (JSA), who operated during the 1970s. The JSA is being hunted by the assassin Icicle (Wesley MacInnes), who was recruited by the organization Checkmate, led by Amanda Waller (Pam Grier). Clark, Chloe, Oliver, and John team up with the JSA members to battle Icicle.

The introduction of the JSA was developed to be relevant to the series, primarily being used to teach the new generation of superheroes—Clark, Oliver, and the rest of their team—a lesson about family and leadership. Johns modeled his vision of the JSA after the film Watchmen (2009), where a group of superheroes come out of retirement. He also included references to other JSA members throughout the episode. "Absolute Justice" is Smallville's highest-rated episode for season nine in total viewers, adults 18–49, and men 18–49. The episode received generally mixed reviews from critics; while praise was given to the guest characters' backstories, criticism was dealt for what was perceived as a poor choice of a villain.