REVIEW: ‘Absolute Superman’ Issue 24

Absolute Superman Issue 24 is published by DC Comics. Written by Jason Aaron, art and colors by Juan E. Ferreyra and letters by Becca Carey.

In Absolute Superman Issue 24, Steel joins Superman on his ranch and his hunt for Brainiac. This issue continues the arc of hunting for Brainiac, with Superman encountering various Absolute versions of classic villains, but this time, he isn’t around. The storytelling has an intriguing structure, bouncing between the farm and Superman’s adventures in the field.

The plot unfolds in both short periods and over weeks. It’s also not completely linear, jumping backwards and forward in time. That’s because several things are being built at the same time, from suits of armor to more personal relationships.

Despite the jittery structure, the story moves at speed and keeps you interested. The ability to tell so many little stories within Absolute Superman Issue 24 is fantastic. The mood within a lot of Absolute comics is dark, scary and often grim. But this chapter brings forward rays of hope and positivity, which solidifies it as a Superman story.

The relationship built in Absolute Superman Issue 24 is one of the strongest and best-written in the whole Absolute Universe. It’s a friendship being formed, perhaps even a brotherhood. The partnership between Steel and Superman is profound, especially for a Superman who has had so much difficulty welcoming people into his life.

Absolute Superman Issue 24 is narrated by John Henry Irons, and you realize how lonely and traumatized both men are. It’s amazing to see them learn to work with and trust each other. The narration includes some incredible lines that describe how Superman sounds and other features of his personality. Steel really gets to know Kal-El, recognizing the shy and kind man who happens to wield the power of a sun. And it’s important to see Superman recognize how useful it can be to work with someone else.

The villains of Absolute Superman Issue 24 are also amazing. They begin as monstrous figures, all noisy and scary and loud. But they end the book very different and quieter, and it’s another example of the growth that characters can go through in this series

The art is absolutely stunning. It’s the change that’s really surprising, with characters leaving the book physically different from when they joined. John enters with just his hammer, and leaves with a full suit of armor. This is the Absolute Universe, and so hardcore is in the nature of almost all of the designs.

Steel is huge, bulky and initially imposing, blending his intelligence with the technology of Krypton. Without the helmet, it makes him more amenable and emotive. Superman starts the comic fighting on his own, but then Steel joins in.

The villains have all been corrupted and transformed, monstrous and almost incapable of returning to a normal life. Radiation has taken them over. And yet, amid the violence and furious fighting, there are moments of tranquility and normalcy. Kal-El actually had someone to hang out with. He, John, and all the villains end up changed in some way or another.

The colors are stark and breathtaking. Each of the fight scenes has a character with very unique, bright shades. From luminescent, radioactive green to a fusion of blue and purple. A red flashback that depicts how brutal John’s life then transitions into the slightly pinker shades of the crystals within Superman’s barn. These alien tones are often interspersed with serene walks through the luscious Kansas fields, which is a nice breath of fresh air around the chaos. The lettering is fantastically easy to read.

Absolute Superman Issue 24 turns two lonely and heartbroken men into brothers. This is a beautiful comic in so many ways. These Superman comics always move at breathtaking speed, but this one is also filled with heart, hope, and an acknowledgment of pain. Superman and Steel can seek solace and support in each other even as they fight together. And Aaron’s world is one that really emphasizes reform and atonement. It’s not just about fighting monsters; it’s about understanding them and transforming them into something else.

Absolute Superman Issue 24 is available where comics are sold.