Review: Absolute Superman #6

Absolute Superman #6 came out last week, another mostly flashback issue filling in the back story of this universe's Kal. With the destruction of Krypton behind us, we focus on Smallville. After the slow burn of the first issue, this one feels brisk opening and seemingly closing the Smallville portion of Superman's origins. We also get a major reveal which I felt was coming but never said outright. You'll have to trust me.

Writer Jason Aaron shows us that overlying despair of this Absolute Universe, especially in the early pages of Kal lost in space. But he also gives us some light, showing us a Jonathan and Martha Kent that feel pretty much our typical Kents. They take Kal in as a miracle. And Kal feels a bit of comfort in this Kansas environment with a kindly couple. Interesting to see just where the classic origins blur with the new stuff. But most importantly, as I said above, this is definitely a bit of a brisker pace for the flashback than the prior. 

The art this issue is by Carmine DiGiandominico and he's sort new to me.  Despite a slew of book, I only know him from the digital only covers of the end of the last Supergirl run. There is a sort of Chris Sprouse energy to his work. I love Rafa Sandoval but DiGiandomenico is a decent fill-in. Sandoval is on the cover which displays something which doesn't appear in the story. 

So with the brisk Smallville chapter done and the true villain revealed at the end, I think we can call this the 'opening arc' and that it is officially closed. Looking forward to what comes next.

On to the book.

The book opens with Sol and Kal looking for an inhabitable planet.

After a year and a half of sitting in a tiny ship sucking on protein slurries, Kal has had enough.

In perhaps the most blatant showing of the despair of this universe, Kal almost commits suicide, asking Sol to open this ship's hatch and let him die in space.

That is dark.

I grew up with a Superman who had a code against killing. I still think Superman should always find another way; that the line he won't cross is killing someone. That line includes himself! So this is definitely a Darkseid fueled world.

Fortunately, Sol happens to find Earth.

We then meet the Kents, struggling on land that doesn't seem to get any rain even when the place next door does. Perhaps the Lazarus Corporation is sending out weather controlling drones. It seems Lazarus wants to buy the Kent Farm and they aren't selling. 

But I love these Kents and their grittiness. They aren't selling. They are in it together. They'll fight. 

In a classic way, the ship crashes on the Kent farm. Sol disintegrates the ship and slips into the suit to recharge.

DiGiandomenico gives Sol a sort of angelic look, something Ma actually calls out. 

There is something very Neon Genesis Evangelion in this shot. I love it. Great art.

Kal goes unconscious and remains unconscious for an undisclosed amount of time. But his powers become evident, flexing and destroying a bed, shooting heat vision, and floating. 

But there is Martha trying to nurse him back to health. Even in Darkseid's world, the 'kindly couple' saves the lost boy.

After awakening, Kal sees some of Krypton on Earth. The grain fields burning up. The golden sky. Even the 'parents' bucking the system. He feels at home, even if his strength and speed have kicked in, making the slowest kid on Krypton a super-powered man. 

But I loved this exchange. They saved him. But he saved them, giving them something to care for, something to love. And I especially like that they each said it to Kal in private about the other. I like these Kents the way I like almost all Kents.

Sol finally awakens. With that Kal can communicate. 

And it turns out that the Kents were right. There are drones stopping the rain.

Remember the early issues where the farmers had to pay for drones to give rain? See the resemblence.

It is clear what Aaron is doing. Earth is on Krypton's path for self-destruction. Superman is fighting for this world since he couldn't save his first,

But Lazarus isn't going to let the destruction of their drones go unpunished. The Peacemakers arrive and a brawl ensues.

Pa says 'Son ... please go'.

Son. 

One little word but boy it hit.

It turns out Kal spent months on the farm before this melee. And we learn he has been running for the last 5 years.

So just like that it seems the Smallville portion of the tale is over. 

Back to the present.

Lois arrives to talk to Martha who is in a Smallville nursing home. 

And who is the big bad giving Brainiac orders? Who is the head of the Lazarus Corporation?

Ra's Al Ghul!

Now the word Lazarus made me think of Al Ghul but who thought a Batman villain would be the arch-villain in a Superman book? Also, Al Ghul is often depicted as an eco-terrorist! I suppose in a dark Absolute World, a Ra's that is strip-mining the Earth makes sense. 

So what do you think of the reveal?

And I know it is a stretch but I still think there is an Evangelion 'angel' feel to Kal's angel arrival.

Overall grade: B