REVIEW: ‘Absolute Superman’ Issue 22

Absolute Superman Issue 22 is published by DC Comics. Written by Jason Aaron, art and colors by Juan Ferreyra, and letters by Becca Carey.

Superman hunts for Brainiac and is attacked by someone he thought had died a long time ago.

Absolute Superman Issue 22 erupts with an instant influx of pace. Superman is getting beaten hard, which is rare in this universe and in every universe. And that’s because of two things: Brainiac and Kryptonite. Brainiac is one of the few people in that universe who understands that the glowing green rock is key to weakening Superman, and has been conducting sadistic experiments.

Enter Christopher Smith. Once a Peacemaker, he has now become the Absolute Universe’s Metallo, and is punching the snot out of Superman. Almost the whole of Absolute Superman Issue 22 is based around this one fight.

It’s ferocious and potentially deadly for Kal-El, which adds a terrific sense of danger to the story. There is also the threat of Brainiac himself. Even when it seems like the battle has ended, Superman can’t let his opponent die, and that only leads to more drama and action. The focus of the story is fantastic, removing any chance of escape or relief.

The only time the scenes cut away from the fighting in Absolute Superman Issue 22 is to provide some context about Smith and his backstory. It highlights how messed up his family was and the lack of support given to him his whole life, which absolutely influenced how he acted in the early stages of the story.

The character development within this chapter is phenomenal, especially with Superman. When Smith first makes his appearance in Absolute Superman Issue 22, he looks beyond help. He has been tortured and brutalized for months, and his already fragile mental state shatters. And still, Kal-El tries to help. Even as he fights and takes blows to the face, he tries to reason and break through Brainiac’s manipulations.

The repetitive dialogue emphasizes the amplified pressure mounting in the showdown. It highlights the determination within Superman’s soul, and his relentless drive to reform and break through to his villains’ humanity. He did it with Ra’s Al Ghul, and now he’s doing it with Metallo. It showcases a different approach to superheroes, one that isn’t focused on ultra-violence or vengeance.

The art is sensational as Ferreyra returns to the book. What’s amazing about this artist is that, although his painted style is beautiful, he is often enlisted for the most horrific elements of the series. This version of Metallo is a haunting, technological creation, initially completely encased in metal. But then the face plate comes on, and Smith’s face is revealed.

It turns Absolute Superman Issue 22 into a magnificently emotive comic alongside the vicious, frantic action.  Smith’s expressions, who is now more machine than man, are pivotal towards making the story more impactful, visualizing the internal struggle.

The fighting and sense of movement is also phenomenal. It’s a physical, up-close issue that transforms into a slog fest between the characters. An intriguing part of the Kryptonite on this Earth is that it doesn’t completely remove Superman’s abilities. Instead, he loses his invulnerability. So it’s a matter of getting hurt, healing, then getting hurt again. As for Metallo, he regularly loses bits of metal as Superman tries to fight him without severely injuring him.

The colors are fantastic, with a classic case of contrasting that always works with Kryptonite. The green and silver of Metallo is in direct opposition with the red and blue of Superman. Smith looks ill and barely alive, and that’s because of the Kryptonite coursing through his system. His blood has been replaced with the green, radioactive substance, so that green is everywhere. His skin is also really pale due to the complete exsanguination, so he looks sickly. The lettering is clear and easy to read.

Absolute Superman Issue 22 is an isolated incident that carries so much storytelling. It follows up on the villain that has been scurrying along in the background, working his machinations and grizzly experiments. It’s one enormous fight that brings together aspects of a long running narrative back to the forefront. The battle between Superman and Metallo features so many unique elements to this universe, making it unmissable.  

Absolute Superman Issue 22 is available where comics are sold.