Review: Absolute Superman #4

Absolute Superman #4 came out last week and continued to enrich this new universe and new Superman's history and supporting cast. More than any issue, this one showed us that this is a universe fueled by Darkseid energy. 

This issue really put Lois Lane in the spotlight, showing us more of who she is and why she is the way she is. Jason Aaron is showing us just what it means in this world for an independent, incredibly powerful super-being to be out there. He is a folk hero. He is a hippie. He is a threat. He is an opponent or a potential ally in this violent political world. A lot of this can be seen in Lois who seems to be conflicted in her thoughts but resolute in her duty. This Lois definitely feels innovative. I am not sure if I like her yet.

Aaron also shows us how the fringes of politics, both left and right, are extremists and probably aren't the good guys. The Peacemakers working for Leviathan Inc and the field agents for the rebellious Omega Men both seem ready to maim or kill to achieve their goals. If  'the ends justify the means' is a tenet, you should look hard in the mirror.

I have complimented Rafa Sandoval a ton and this issue deserves that continued praise. There are is high action. But the opening scene is Lois interviewing people from around the globe and he shines there too. I like Sandoval's design of the Omega Men. 

One quibble about this issue is that Superman isn't in it that much. Yes, this is a Lois issue. But we are still learning about this Kal. I want to know more. And this issue seems mired a bit in how grim this world is. I get that that grittiness is the foundation of this world but boy, I could use a glimmer of something hopeful. This is a Superman comic after all.

On to the book.

We start out with Lazarus agent Lois Lane interviewing people from areas where Superman interceded. It is a true international conglomeration: India, Botswana, Brazil, Belarus, Mexico, Vietnam, South Africa, and a reservation in the United States. 

Lois wants to know more about Superman, especially where he might be. Lois says she wants to help Superman but they aren't buying it. These individuals are tight lipped. They have tried to find him themselves but they couldn't.

There is some things to unpack here. 

All of them wanting to find or follow Superman makes me wonder if Superman is going to become some sort of prophet or messiah figure on this world. 

Second, I am glad that Aaron stuck someone from Belarus in there to show that Superman cares about all the downtrodden.

But the biggest thing is that this 'interview in the nine panel grid' scene just reminded me way way too much of Tom King's Heroes In Crisis. I don't want to ever be reminded of Heroes in Crisis.

This is a determined Lois however. Certainly smacks of her typical presentation.

I do like this defiant 'I am the storm' statement, a callback to one of the people being interviewed saying that looking for Superman is like chasing a storm. 

She is strong-willed and a physically capable combatant, a true soldier. Earlier we saw her take out one of the Peacemakers.

But there is more to her.

As Lois walks around Pakistan, hoping to get Superman's attention, she gets a call from her father.

This gives us a lot of information which informs this Lane father/daughter relationship.

Sam is all military 'strength through force'. He thinks America should nuke Superman. And he doesn't believe in trust. He believes fear is a better motivator. If you want to encapsulate what a Darkseid-fueled worldview is like, it is that. Granny Goodness might say that. That one line really stuck with me.

But despite this, Lois rebels a little. She says that Superman has a zero kill count despite the skirmishes. He is a 'hippie'. I almost think this Lois is starting to believe in Superman. 

She is all Lazarus bluster, beating up people, looking to hunt Superman and arrest him. But inside, I think she is mulling it over.

While walking around, trying to coax Superman out, Lois is accosted by Agent Alpha of the Omega Men, a rebel outfit fighting Lazarus Corp. 

A ginger-haired young man thinks there is more to Lois than just the pawn of the Lazarus group. He thinks she could be an ally.

A nice brawl happens. I love that top panel by Sandoval, a true gunpoint faceoff.

And I think we all know who the ginger is ... more later.

When Lois gets the drop on 'Alpha', an 'Omega' arrives. Primus. That's a nice nod to classic Omega Men.

Armed with an energy sword, she and Lois brawl. Primus seems to imply she cut of Sam Lane's legs with that sword.

What I like about this comic is that we are seeing classic characters and trying to find glimpses of their classic form. Lois as soldier is new but we see she is questioning things. Jimmy as foot soldier for a disruptive criminal outfit? Definitely new. But here he steps in to stop his boss from killing Lois. He also seems to be questioning.

And this shows that perhaps Omega Men and Lazarus are two sides of a similar coin. 

Great art. Stunning.

Finally Superman shows up to tell Lois to stop tracking him. 

He isn't exactly ready to sign up for the Omegas. I don't think he likes their tactics any more than he likes Lazarus. Look at him push Primus away.

I love how Superman arrives in a cloud of red dust. It's almost Question-like, arriving in a gaseous fog. Mysterious. And definitely different than classic Superman, arriving in the sunlight.

Peacemakers arrive and Superman freezes them. He takes off. 

So there was just a dollop of Superman in this issue.

And yes, Agent Alpha is Jimmy. 

He believes Lois has a good heart. 

So Jimmy and Lois are sort of walking a tight rope between their groups' ideologies and a thirst for truth.

It shows that these characters are still themselves deep inside despite the underpinnings of this Absolute Universe.

Meanwhile, we have seen glimpses that the Christopher Smith Peacemaker isn't stable. The issue ends with us seeing that Smith mowed down a village.

He loves peace so much ... he'll kill for it! Or ... he's deranged.

So I thought this was a solid issue. Not great. But we are still in world-building. Seeing Lois and Jimmy struggling is a nice way of trying to keep them recognizable. Sam Lane remains Sam Lane but that fear line was great. And the Lazarus Corp/Omega Men extremes being mirrors is another way of showing this is a dark Earth. And Sandoval is just crushing it.

I just wish there was more Superman. Last issue was all Krypton. This mostly Lois. People will want to learn about this Superman. I need more.

Overall grade: B