Review: Absolute Superman #19

Absolute Superman #19 came out this week, continuing a new arc introducing 'King Shazam' and Absolute Steel into the universe. It is a high octane brawl of an issue showcasing our title character's emerging heroism and some new mysteries to contemplate. Add in the 'origin' of Steel and you have a solid issue.

Jason Aaron is continuing to grow this universe now that we are in the sort of second act of the book. With Ra's Al Ghul's plot to turn Superman done, it is time to broaden the view to the world. In fact, the Ra's story is truly ended here with an exclamation point. The biggest hook for me here is the mystery of King Shazam. Last issue we saw he was a slave in ancient Egypt given power by Brainiacs with a Father Box. Why were Brainiacs on Earth then? With a Father Box no less? Now we see how Shazam's powers seem to mimic Superman's down to the crystal cape? How are those echoes possible? Didn't Lara create Sol with sun crystals? Alas, these are just mysteries to contemplate now.

Rafa Sandavol continues to shine on art. There are action panels where you don't truly see the blows, hidden in energy and swirling sands. But the character moments are well rendered. And his take on the Steel origin is brutal and gorgeous. 

This book continues to intrigue as we peel back the layers. On to the book.

Free Comic Book Day 2026

If I can be honest up front, my non-blogging life has been in a bit of a tizzy recently.

I was on vacation in the middle of April. Came back to a full work schedule as I covered for many off work while their young kids were on school vacation here. And then, I just closed on a new house and have been moving things on my own as well as setting up a new life there.

Whew!

So a side effect of all that was Free Comic Book Day 2026 sneaking up on me. I usually am more prepared for this and plan a whole day of hitting various stores to soak in the celebration. This year ... not so much. Just a quick visit to my store.

I was thrilled to walk into the store about an hour after it opened to see the place filled with people not only perusing the free stuff but walking around the store looking at other stuff.

I grabbed the DC Next Level book mostly because I haven't planned on reading any of the three books highlighted here - Batwoman, Lobo, and Deathstroke. So why not use the free book as it was intended, allowing me to sample the titles before committing to buying the title.

With 'Next Level' being the big push of new books, I am not surprised that DC focused on this effort rather than promoting any of the bigger, more classic titles. It also is worth noting that Superman Day is just 2 weeks before FCBD and had all sorts of free Super-books.

I don't know if I will be getting any of the titles here but I would recommend Firestorm!

DC Comics July 2026 Solicits

The July DC Comics solicits have come out and the Summer of Supergirl continues with a number of books on the rack. Throw in some super-mini-series and a anniversary issue of Action Comics and you have a busy month. 

If you want to see the whole slate you can head here:
https://bleedingcool.com/comics/dc-comicss-july-2026-full-solicits-and-solicitations-have-dropped/

On to the super-books.

SUPERGIRL #15
Written by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Art and cover by SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Variant covers by KRIS ANKA, RAHZZAH, and KARL KERSCHL

As Supergirl starts to gain the upper hand, Black Flame spots an opportunity to escape Kandor and bring the fight to Earth. Powered by the yellow sun, this Kandorian rebel could be unstoppable. It’s now up to Supergirl to rein her in before the entire planet ends up in danger!

Somehow Supergirl is whole again. I am wondering if Lesla's 'super-stuff' is going to be some sort of protomatter similar to Matrix Supergirl, a way to roll that idea into current continuity. And it seems like Lesla and Kara are back to being friends again. I am wondering if this whole thing ends with Lesla being the hero of Kandor, relieving Supergirl of that duty.

Glad to see Campbell on words and art.

Review: Spider-Man/Superman #1 Back-Up Stories

We wrap up the week of Spider-Man/Superman #1 by finishing my look at the rest of the stories in the book. There are a couple of real winners in this mix making this entire book a true buy.

The main story was solid outside of a plot point that confused me.

The Supergirl/Ghost Spider story felt like a wasted opportunity making the two characters way more catty than I usually see them. 

While most of these stories revolve around the super-family, there are a couple of other guest stars here. And I it is interesting to see the main Superman starring in so many of these stories. In every one, Superman is written so well, as a true North Star for the other heroes, leading them by example and with wisdom and kindness.

So let's dive right in with one of the better stories in the book.

"Metropolis Marvels" was the first story out of the gate after the main, starring the Golden Age Superman and Spider-Man Noir, set firmly in the 40s. The story was written by Dan Slott with pitch-perfect art by Marcos Martin. The look and feel is spot on.

I don't know much of Spidey Noir so I was surprised to see him packing heat and wanting to kill the Kingpin of Crime, Lex Luthor to avenge a man Lex set up, a prisoner heading to the chair.

In comes Superman to stop Noir's murder plan so he can get Luthor to the Governor in time to help grant a pardon to the innocent man.

So much to love here. One of Superman's first adventure was stopping an innocent man going to the chair. Lex as Kingpin is great. Superman couldn't fly, only jump back then so this page, mirroring the cover of Amazing Fantasy #15 just works. 

And Martin's art is nigh perfect for a noir tale. Home run! And yet, for me, it is still the third best story. There are two even better than this!

On to the rest.

Review: Spider-Man/Superman #1 Main Story

Welcome to part two of Spider-Man/Superman #1 week where I will review the main story of the book, 'Our Kryptonite', by Brad Metzler and Pepe Larraz.

This is a pretty beefy story, clocking in at 27 pages. And it again shows how Superman and Spider-Man would probably be easy friends. Both journalists. Both inspirational heroes. Both here in this Marvel release and in the recent DC release of the heroes, there is an easy chemistry between them.

One thing that I really like about this story (and truly throughout both books), Superman is treated with incredible respect, shown to be a leader and an inspiration. In this issue, I think he actually gives Spider-Man some perspective that the wallcrawler might have been missing. That makes me happy. It ends with a nice homey scene that also adds a touching ending. 

I do have to say that there is a story turn or plot point that wasn't exactly easy for me to understand that sort of pulled me out of the take a little bit. It was only on multiple rereads and a listening to some other reviews that I finally understood the plan of the villains of the piece, Luthor and the Green Goblin. 

The art is by Pepe Larraz so you know it is going to be great. In particular, there is a panel in the super-brawl that blew me away. I'll be sure to point it out. 

I'd be interested in hearing what others thought. For sure, some of the other back-ups (covered later this week) stood out as superb. 

On to the story.

Review: Spider-Man/Superman #1 Supergirl/Ghost Spider Story

Welcome to the week of Spider-Man/Superman #1, the Marvel release of the latest DC/Marvel crossover. I had recently done a deep dive on the Superman/Spider-Man #1 comic on the site. I must admit, both companies did a great job on these books with very entertaining main stories and very interesting back-ups.

Somehow Marvel got the luck of having the Supergirl story in the lot. And I was thrilled when I heard the team-up was going to be with Ghost Spider. As a huge Gwen Stacy fan, this seemed like a 'chocolate and peanut butter' moment, the perfect combo. Add in Phil Noto, a long time favorite of mine and I was really excited.

The writer of 'Remarkable' was Stephanie Phillips who I feel is a sort of hit-or-miss writer for me. I have enjoyed some of her work, the early issues of her Harley Quinn run and the current She-Hulk book for example. But this story's premise that Kara and Gwen would be sort of catty towards each other, acting like mean girls, seemed a little bit off. I do feel that maybe the story sticks the landing but given it is unlikely that these characters will ever meet again, it seemed like a wasted opportunity to see a true team-up.

Kudos to Peach Momoko for this slick cover. Love the pastel covers and the smiling Kara standing tall!

On to the book.

Review: Superman #37

Superman #37 came out this week and was another very entertaining chapter in this redemption arc for Superboy Prime, subbing in for the departed Superman. 

I have said that it is a minor miracle that writer Joshua Williamson has made me actually like this take on Prime. Prime is a comic nerd who recognizes his worst deeds are several reboots ago and is trying to do good. But all those old deeds are still known so Prime is basically under the microscope with everyone waiting for him to mess up. I actually felt for Prime here as he is really feeling that pressure of everyone side eyeing him all while hs is trying to be a hero.

It helps that Prime is a great POV charactier because he talks non-stop about comic history and lore. He is 'one of us' but in the DCU. This issue is full of references and fourth-wall busting insanity. It is a great tool for Williamson to use. But it is a tightrope. You can't overuse. This was the first issue where I felt we got close to that 'too many'. Close ... but did not cross.

There is also a mystery brewing. And I think I might have solved it.

Dan Mora is typically fantastic on art here. With all the trips and adventures and references, Mora is in the deep end of the DCU pool. But he never disappoints. 

On to the book.