There’s a recurring theme I’ve noticed throughout Jason Aaron’s run on Absolute Superman: certain forces want to push Kal-El to be a killer. First there was Ra’s Al Ghul, who sought to break the young Man of Steel by utilizing Brainiac’s cutting edge tech. Next was Hawkman, who was far more comfortable walking in the morally gray than Kal-El. The recent arc, “Reign of the Superman,” has showcased Teth-Adam, aka King Shazam, and how he’s utilizing his immense powers to bring his own form of justice to the world. Absolute Superman #21 puts Kal-El’s morality to the test, as he engages Teth-Adam in one final showdown on the moon.
That’s already an awesome concept, but what makes it truly awesome is the visual makeover that Rafa Sandoval gives to Kal-El. His suit has grown into a more armored form, featuring plenty of ridges and glowing volcanic energy. If that wasn’t metal enough, Kal-El is also wielding Hawkman’s mace and Steel’s hammer, which he uses to deliver devastating blows to Teth-Adam. The fallout is immediate: the surface of the Moon is littered with cracks, and rubble flies into zero gravity. Teth-Adam gives as good as he gets, summoning lightning bolts that carve through the air.
It’s big, bold, blockbuster action, highlighted by vibrant colors from Ulises Arreola. Again, I can’t emphasize enough how much I love the contrast of Kal-El’s red-and-blue suit against Teth-Adam’s gold-and-black, as the former looks superheroic while the latter bears both a touch of regality and menace. But the real hero in the art team is Zander Cannon, who provides the layouts for Absolute Superman #21. I don’t know what’s more impressive, that Cannon was able to sketch out such an epic issue or that Sandoval managed to bring it all to life.
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Absolute Superman #21 features some great character moments throughout, particularly from Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. Both of them had their lives forever changed by the presence of Kal-El, and the closing pages of the issue show that they’re willing to follow in his footsteps – not just by combating the Lazarus Corporation but also by working to help those who can’t help themselves. The beauty of the Absolute Universe is that while it isn’t the same world that DC fans know and love, the spirit of these heroes remains unbroken. That’s especially true of Superman; his greatest power isn’t heat vision or arctic breath but the ability to inspire others.
In addition to great character work, Absolute Superman #21 features a whammy of a final page that not only teases the future of Teth-Adam, but also a potential appearance from another major Superman foe. Given that this storyline was titled “Reign of the Superman,” some fans might have figured that this character was a given, and it’s a chance for Aaron and Sandoval to continue to rework the Superman mythos.
Absolute Superman #21 delivers a battle that not only shatters the moon, but reinforces Kal-El’s conviction to do good and how it’s inspired others. Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman might get all the praise, but this series is definitely holding its own – and more than worth reading.
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