The Secret Origins Of A Very Unhinged Brainiac — ‘Absolute Superman’ #7 Reviewed
by Olly MacNamee
Summary
In ‘Absolute Superman’ #7 we meet this darker universe’s Brainiac and he’s rather unhinged. Why? Well, in another revelatory issue we get to know all about his past and his links to Lazarus. An issue focused soley on Brainiac, but gripping nonetheless.
Overall
10/10After a revelatory last issue delving into the new origins of this all-new Superman, we get an issue focused on another origin. But this time it’s the origin of Brainiac. And like all the other familiar names and faces writer Jason Aaron has peppered into his Absolute Superman, it’s a very different take. Very different. Where once Brainiac was a cold, calculating collector of civilisations, here we are given a very unhinged nemesis. Still very much driven by his thirst for knowledge. But, this Brainiac’s thirst is more manic as he begins to obsess over Superman and where he came from.
A lowly refuse collector, shovelling up dead Brainiac corpses day in, day out, this kind of menial, demeaning and, ultimately, disturbing work is bound to play with your mind. And so, over thousands of days shovelling cadavers, Brainiac’s mind has well and truly been broken., And what we get is a madman with little regard for life. Brainiac, but with the mind of The Joker.
Adding the necessary gravitas to this storyline is artist Carmine Di Giandomenico, whose artwork I have long admired and who is the perfect fit in the absence of regular artist Rafa Sandoval. He delivers both finesse and horror in equal measure, creating a monstrous Brainiac well suited to this darker Absolute Universe. His Brainiac is macabre and rotting, contrasting with his clinical laboratory settings Giandomenico portrays with meticulous detail. The added tones, textures and colours from colourist Ulises Arreola provides Giandomenico’s exceptional art with depth and solidity. All-in-all, it seems Arreola’s craft has somewhat evolved since working with Giandomenico. There is a subtley there that didn’t seem to be as defined, but certainly helps elevate the art. A great partnership.
Absolute Superman #7 may not have any sign of our titular hero, but it’s a riveting read nonetheless, as we are introduced to this universe’s Brainiac. The DCU’s Brainiac was always a formidable enemy, so who knows how much more formidable this one will be with an unhinged mind?
Absolute Superman #7 is out now from DC Comics.
