A Well-Paced Worldbuilding Issue: ‘Absolute Superman’ #17 Reviewed

In this recent story arc, that comes to an end with Absolute Superman #17, not only do we get the Absolute Universe’s version of the Parasite — looking like something that’s escaped from the Upside Down — as well as more Absolute Hawkman, but there’s also the intriguing Lex Luthor subplot too. With the latter being the most shocking moment in this particular issue, promising heart ache, tragedy and more to come. Brainiac doesn’t like who this universe’s Luthor is, so he’s doing something drastic in the hope of triggering Lex. And, after you’ve read this issue, I think you’ll agree he’s well and truly triggered. And I can’t wait to see this one explode in forthcoming issues. 

And while I have had my criticisms about the slow pacing – and number of issues eaten up by the very over-used trope of an evil corporation, in this case the Lazarus Corps, raping the planet’s resources — of the first year’s worth of issues, this latest instalment and its growth of the Absolute Superman mythos, was very satisfying to me as a fan. We get the origin of Absolute Hawkman last issue and now we get another issue that’s packed with great moments of storytelling from Jason Aaron and art, as guest artist Juan Ferreyra, who’s pages seem painted, which only adds to the quality of this issue. I finally feel like Absolute Superman is beginning to find it’s feet. So, I’m not quite ready to give up on this title just yet. Especially with the levels of intrigue being embedded into the writing by Aaron. 

What I’m enjoying in this reiteration of Superman it’s the horror that is being injected into Absolute Superman’s world that I find most interesting. Superman is a man of scinecve, but alongside the usual sci-fi elements — which make up a big part of Superman’s identity in the DC Universe — we now get horror. First we had Brainiac and now we Parasite. And there’s more, as revealed in the Lex Luthor storyline. This darker universe will be more prone to horror, and with this seeming to be a prominent aspect of this whole universe, I’m keen to see how Superman’s world may continue to incorporate such elements.

This three-part story has been a relief from the months and months of Ra’ Al Ghul and his Lazarus Corps. And while Hackman does have links to him, it’s good to see Aaron focus on developing some of the more recognisable characters associated with Superman and how they relate to this dark world and Kal-El. A series that’s beginning to pick up the pace and about time too. Here’s hoping, on the strength of this issue, we’re about to have some great new, and not too over-developed, storylines coming our way. 

Absolute Superman #17 is out now from DC Comics.