Review: Absolute Superman #16

Absolute Superman #16 came out last week and was another fast-paced book for this title which was a sort of simmering pot for the first 13 issues. Writer Jason Aaron was doing a wonderful job of world-building in the first year of this title, layering depth so we understood this Kal's history and world. It stood out as a stark contrast to the go-go-go world of Absolute Batman. But with the Ra's book behind us, Aaron is putting his foot on the gas.

That isn't to say that Aaron has moved away from character moments and world-building. This issue gives us a lot of new threads and seeds to follow. Obviously, we get a lot of Absolute Hawkman in here, first seen in the Absolute Evil one-shot. We see his origin and we learn about his mission. And he is a brawler much like his main-universe counterpart. But we also get Lois moment, Clark moments, and the addition of an Absolute version of a classic Superman villain. I say it all the time. I didn't think I'd love this book. But this feels like an inspirational Superman doing his best in a dark world. Aaron is truly building this world.

Juan Ferreyra is again on art and brings a lot of action to the proceedings. He also is on color and I love how everything pops. There are flashback scenes in a sepia overtone. The color of the Sol-less cape blazes against the sort of washed out Hawkman. The action really is palpable. If this series becomes a 'Rafael Sandoval on one arc, Ferreyra on the next', I'd be happy!

On to the book!

Review: The Kids Are All Fight Special #1

I haven't been collecting all the DC KO crossovers out there, sticking mostly to the main mini-series and the titles I ordinarily collect. But when I saw The Kids Are All Fight Special #1  I knew I would be getting it. I had several reasons. 

You might think that this being a Jon Kent centric special would be the top reason. I feel the last several years have been bad for the character and he has basically disappeared from being a headliner to getting a small subplot in the Superman books. Somewhere along the way, from de-aging to over-preaching, Jon has become an unfortunate afterthought. I like the character and want to see him treated well again so I was interested in seeing how he would be treated.

You might think that Jeremy Adams writing it was the top reason. Jeremy Adams is one of those creators I implicitly trust and will follow from project to project. So for sure he was a big draw. This looked like a fun book, the perfect book for his style. But that wasn't the main reason.

Maybe the Dad joke pun title, riffing on an old Who song? Great but not the reason.

The main reason was the presence of Judy 'The Boom' Garrick. Ever get asked to name a recently created comic book character that you think will stick and struggle to come up with an answer? I no longer struggle. The Boom is awesome and when I saw she was going to be in this book, I knew I'd be buying.

The plot is simple. Jon has to babysit some young heroes during the disaster of KO. The kids have other ideas, heading out on a mission requiring a rescue. Adams does a great little plot maneuver that leads to a wonderful character moment that makes the book. 

Travis Mercer is on art and I really love his art. I keep hoping DC will give him a standing title. He keeps the energy buzzing and seems to have a great handle on the DC Universe given the number of characters that waltz in and out of the book.

On to some details.

Back Issue Box: Adventure Comics #400

One of the things I have very much enjoyed about the current volume of Supergirl by Sophie Campbell is how it is really mining the history of Supergirl. From homages to deep cuts, from the Silver Age on, Campbell is showing a knowledge and respect of Supergirl's lore. The latest? The introduction of Black Flame into current continuity.

I've covered Black Flame on the blog before but somehow I haven't reviewed her craziest story. I'll rectify that right now.

Adventure Comics #400 had quite a cover. First, there is the big '35th anniversary 400th issue' banner.

The cover is also a good draw with a defeated Supergirl, contorted in agony under the feet of an unknown assailant. But the 'final battle' in the dialogue box means this isn't their first, a decent hint. 

'Return of the Black Flame' was written and drawn by Mike Sekowsky, in the middle of his run with the character. There are times I like to think that these stories take place on Earth-Sekowsky given how loose he played at times with continuity. This story is probably the best (or is it worst) example of that so settle in. 

Hmmm, maybe these take place on Earth-B, the place where Bob Haney's Brave and Bold stories took place given their also tenuous grasp on continuity?

Okay, on to the story, one of the nuttiest Supergirl stories ever.

Review: Superman #34

Superman #34 came out last week, a DC KO tie in and a pretty big treat for a Legion fan like me. More impressive than the LSH stuff in the issue is that somehow writer Joshua Williamson continues to make me like reading his Superboy Prime.

The KO stuff is really on the periphery of the issue. The main plot is Prime, Lois, and a Superman Robot trying to get to Doomsday to give him the information we learned from the Lara Lor-Van tapes. That trip takes a few detours as we get to contrast the brash Prime to the earnest Superman simulacrum. We are on a sort of redemption tour for Prime and his being inspired by an automaton is a nice wrinkle.

We know Josh Williamson is going to be writing a Legion of Super-Heroes book in the future. Maybe we see some glimpses of what he thinks of the Legion in this book. I hope that book sings.

Eddy Barrows is on art and I have always loved his work. He really has shined on this arc and it is great to see his take on these DC KO landscape. His splash pages are fantastic. And wait until you see his Legion.

On to the book.

Review: Supergirl Next Door

DC's Supergirl Next Door Valentine's Day anthology came out this week, a smorgasbord of quick romance stories starring an interesting if unaffiliated group of characters. Much like the Ma Hunkel Christmas Special, the talent on the book are mostly people I haven't heard of with a smattering of a people I know from a few books. 

I used to love these holiday books when growing up. These days they are mostly 'hit or miss' without much to remember afterwards. But they had me at calling it Supergirl Next Door. 

One thing that is tough about these books is that they are outside of continuity so trying to figure out the whens and the wheres are tough especially in this book where things seem far afield for most of these characters. And for a hefty $9.99 I would love for there to be one story, maybe a lead story, from a big name talent team. 

I do love the Amy Reeder cover even if it isn't related to the Supergirl story inside.

Let's jump into the Supergirl story.

DC Comics April 2026 Solicits

The DC Solicits for April 2026 have come out and if you think Supergirl has been getting some love from the company in preparation of the upcoming movie, you ain't seen nothing yet. Here is a link to see all the solicits: https://aiptcomics.com/2026/01/23/full-april-2026-dc-comics-solicitations/

This is a hefty month for Super-books and if you like to trade wait or get omnibus editions, you better start saving your pennies. I am thrilled that Supergirl is getting such a push from the company and I am certain it is because of the film. I can only hope that a new treasury will happen closer to the release date. Hoping the film shows her as the hero I think she is.

On to the books!

SUPERGIRL #11
Written by Sophie Campbell
Drawn by Sophie Campbell
Covers by Nick Dragotta, Joshua "Sway" Swaby, Sophie Campbell, Pablo Villalobos

The conflict in Kandor between the Science Council and the younger Kandorians is only growing more tense. Supergirl's first run-in with the rebel leader Black Flame ends with her broken and without her powers, forcing her to seek recovery with the Science Council. But despite Supergirl's warning, the Council has their own plan to stop Black Flame: a powerful clone capable of taking down anyone in their path. Enter Team Thunder!

Back in my Supergirl #9 review, I wondered if the Science Council did something to keep the Kryptonian kids shrunk in the bottle. This solicit makes it seem like this time I am right. A revolt from the young Kandorians against the government? Makes sense.

But check out that cover. I recently reviewed an old story where Supergirl lost her powers and needed a Kandorian exo-skeleton. Looks like Sophie Campbell is riffing on that here ... but she looks more Cyborg Superman than donning a sleek model. 

And what about that powerful clone? Who could that be?

Couunt me in.

Review: Batman/Superman World's Finest #47

Batman/Superman World's Finest #47 came out this last week, the finale of the Absorbascon storyline pitting the Batman/Superman Fusion against the Lex/Joker Merger. And boy, it ends ... quickly, neatly, and semi-easily.

Writer Mark Waid is almost always a fun and entertaining read and this title has been a revelation in the four years it has been out. This story seems to have some elements that fit the quality of this book. Seeing how the fused heroes work together while the meshed villain minds sometimes are fighting each other is a good insight into the characters. Seeing how our heroes deal with their secret identities revealed also has some meat on the bone to delve into. (Indeed, the Lois scene in this book is my favorite.) And perhaps this characterization deep dive was the impetus for this story. But the plot, with the Absorbascon as a deus ex machina becoming both a receiver and a transmitter that needs to be shut down then saved then reverted seemed too big to wrap up. This was a three parter! But honestly, I don't know if a longer version of this story would make the ending more palatable.

Adrian Gutierrez gets to really stretch in this arc with crazy action, a large cast of cameos, and some emotional beats. It is a rapid fire book going from magical battles to quiet apartment conversations to fistfights. That is a lot for one tiny issue. It must be hard to step into Dan Mora's shoes but I have come to really like Gutierrez's style on this book. There is an energy here that works. 

On to the book.