REVIEW: ‘Absolute Superman’ Issue 10

Absolute Superman Issue 10 is published by DC Comics and written by Jason Aaron, with art by Carmine Di Giandomenico, colors by Ulises Arreola, and letters by Tom Napolitano.

Superman stages an attack on one of Lazarus’ research facilities, as all his villains unite to try to take him down.

This issue is all about setting up a meeting between the biggest players in the whole series. The various figures in the comic have spent most of the run so far as far away from each other as possible. But now Superman is hurtling towards the Demons and his allies, with a restrained but unstoppable force. There’s a feeling of inevitability, as if their paths will always eventually meet. The resistance that Ra’s Al Ghul had collected can’t do much against the Kryptonian, not even Peacemaker. So it’s only a matter of time.

But then comes a sense of danger, a feeling that we don’t want Superman to break through that last line. Because Ra’s is actually eager to meet Superman, stirring up suspicion and unease with what he says. Even as the incredible action erupts and the immense power of Superman gets unleashed in a terrific display, it has the air of a trap. Absolute Superman Issue 10 takes enormous strides in progressing the story.

Not all of the characters make it out of this onslaught, and some devastating twists tear whole groups apart. As this plot progresses, there are flashbacks to Kal-El’s upbringing, tapping into the most prevalent theme in the entire issue. Throughout the entire battle, Superman refrains from killing. He does some brutal things, but none are fatal. Aaron explores that idea, something sacred to almost every Superman, with an explanation that really tunes into his unique upbringing.

Absolute Superman Issue 10 is a fantastic script for delving into the mindsets of those at both ends of the table. Superman is scary and awe-inspiring. His full power is being unleashed on humans who don’t stand a chance. He’s angry and barely restraining himself, and yet there is a refusal to let people die. Even if they are monsters and saving them leads to his own serious harm, he’ll still put his body on the line.

As for the villains, it truly is a medley of depravity and disturbing creatures. Ra’s is pure physical strength, teeming with immortal arrogance and a major god complex. This world has been his for a long time, and he controls it all. Brainiac also holds that control. This is an alien, one that is frail and weak in body but has complete dominance over the technological systems on the planet, a brain that can hack any computer, and a sadistic knowledge of the human body.

Peacemaker has just become a broken result of that connection. It’s an unholy trinity of evil, all as sadistic as each other. It’s what makes Superman’s aversion to killing so surprising; the rest of this world enjoys it.

The art is phenomenal and terrifying at the same time. Inside the facility, there are three villains. Whenever Di Giandomenico is providing art for this series, it looks scary. The villains are all expertly designed and refreshed from their counterparts in the main universe. Ra’s is massive, tall, and hairy.

With a suit on, he stands straight up as an imposing figure. Brainiac appears unsteady on spindly, mechanical legs, and his face is obscured mainly by wires emerging from his head. All you can see clearly is his eyes and a set of teeth that are gritted in something resembling both a smile and a snarl.

And then there’s Peacemaker, a weird mix of both. He’s a warrior turned into something else by Brainiac. He looks haggard and haunted, the result of horrendous torture. And outside their base, all hell is breaking loose. There is a deluge of devastation and destruction as Superman rapidly tears the defenses apart. It’s intense, unrelenting, and spectacular.

The colors are tremendous. Absolute Superman Issue 10 takes place in Greenland, which provides a blue background on which the other shades can be imprinted. There’s a lot of red, from explosions and blood. Brainiac is a sickly green, whilst Ra’s Al Ghul is a creepy silhouette in almost all black. The lettering is bold, often central to the page, and easy to read.

Absolute Superman Issue 10 is a heavy metal meeting. The first time the heroes and villains of this series finally meet was only ever going to be this explosive, because this entire universe is so hardcore. It’s a ferocious fight that showcases the strengths of both sets of characters. There’s the bull in a china shop that is Superman. So much power and fire with a headstrong attitude. Then there’s the meticulous planning and complete control of the villains. Even when we think we know what’s coming, as Superman gets closer and closer, Aaron finds a way to strike from behind and leave readers staggered.

Absolute Superman Issue 10 is available where comics are sold.