Absolute Superman Issue 7 is published by DC Comics. Written by Jason Aaron, art by Carmine Di Giandomenico, colors by Ulises Arreola, and letters by Becca Carey.
This issue is part of the Absolute Universe. The sadistic history of Brainiac is revealed. The next chapter of the series takes a shocking turn. It leaves Superman again, instead focusing on the most dangerous villain of the whole run so far. Brainiac had been the one orchestrating and controlling everything on this Earth, alongside Ra’s Al Ghul. Absolute Superman Issue 7 shows not just what Brainiac is trying to do but also where he came from.
The genre of the comic shifts drastically from the norm. It becomes a truly sickening body horror sci-fi comic. It’s disturbing and unnerving from start to finish. It is a display of brutal depravity, truly elevating the danger of the world. The pace is slow too, meaning it focuses on the violence for a long time. For so long, it has looked like nothing on this Earth can hurt Superman, but through an immense network of communication, something is found that could put him in severe danger.
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Absolute Superman Issue 7 focuses entirely on Brainiac. Much of the green-skinned alien’s aspects remain familiar, such as his ultra-intelligence and tendency to keep cities in small jars. But there are distinct changes that make him even more frightening. There is a collective of Brainiacs in this universe, and this particular one is insane. Completely insane. He also has a fascination with how bodies work, delighting in torture and dismemberment. We spend the entire issue with him and his mind, getting a true understanding of just how sadistic he is. Aaron has suddenly elevated the fear within the world of Absolute Superman.
The art revels in showing what Brainiac can do to someone in incredible detail. From the start, there are displays of body horror that would rival any Saw movie. It begins with a selection of Omega Men breaking into Brainiac’s lair. He then does something different to the body of every one of them. Each one is truly horrifying and jaw-dropping, unlike anything seen before in this series. These horrors aren’t simply implied. Instead, they’re shown and clarified with dialogue that adds to the pain.
These injuries and torturous moments look excruciating. This is not the only Brainiac; there are thousands. Hundreds of thousands. Each one has its own unique detail and look. The Brainiac at the heart of Absolute Superman Issue 7 looks incredibly deranged and monstrous, far from the calm, meticulous one in the main universe.
The colors are terrific. There is an abundance of green and purple. The times aren’t vibrant; they’re sickly and off-putting. A lot of red shows as blood is spilled, but the human body can also produce other colors when experimented on. The lettering is fantastic at revealing true, unimaginable pain and terror.
Absolute Superman Issue 7 is as morbid as it gets. This issue will not be for everyone, but it is horrifyingly fascinating. The extreme, often repulsive violence comes out of nowhere in the context of this series – and it really is extreme. And yet there is a strange curiosity into seeing what Brainiac can do. It’s like watching an autopsy, except the cadaver is still alive whilst they’re torn apart.
The art shows immense talent, but the issue is repulsive and harrowing to read. The sudden upturn in brutality and viscera may be off-putting to some, especially because there’s no sign of it anywhere else in the series.
Absolute Superman Issue 7 is available where comics are sold.
Absolute Superman Issue 7
TL;DR
Absolute Superman Issue 7 is as morbid as it gets. This issue will not be for everyone, but it is horrifyingly fascinating. The extreme, often repulsive violence comes out of nowhere in the context of this series – and it really is extreme.
