Review: Absolute Superman #10

With the con happening and 2day trip shoved in the middle, everything has been pushed back and a little late. Apologies.

Absolute Superman #10 came out two weeks ago and after almost a year of slow burn, this issue seemed like we turned a bit of a corner. There are revelations in this issue and a major cliffhanger which upends everything we know.  I haven't minded the world building pace writer Jason Aaron has been using here. I feel like I know his Absolute World a little better than the other titles. But the high energy here is appreciated.

On top of the plot progression, we continue to learn about the characters. Superman won't kill, no matter how much he is goaded. Ra's has little respect for almost everyone ... except Superman ... which is fascinating. And Lois and Jimmy continue to slyly work against their old crews to help our hero.

Carmine DeGiandomenico is on art here and brings a thick lined energy to the proceedings. There is action here and he moves the 'camera' well as we circle the scenes. 

So settle in! Here we go!

We start with a flashback on Krypton where Jor-El talks about how the people of Krypton were constantly struggling to survive against the ruling class and the world. Blood, sweat, and dirty hands were the proof. 

Here, moles, clearly tainted by K-radiation have been forced to the surface and are killing miners.

He just wants to evacuate the mine but when the giant moles arrive, he becomes a man of action, grabbing a lava gun and blasting.

Jor-El seems to have inherited the 'Pa Kent' wisdom role in this book. Jor is talking about hard work. About respect. About the sanctity of life, even that of the moles.

Meanwhile, Jimmy is being held at Ra's base in Greenland. It is even leaked to the news that Jimmy (called Timmy on the news) is being held there. If you want to get Superman you need bait.

But the thing I love the most is Lois calling reporters morons. This is new world for sure.

Ra's wants Superman here. He wants Superman to be his 'son'. And he wants to see Superman in action.

Brainiac picked Greenland because of the eternal night. There'll be no sun to replenish. 

But Ra's wants Superman strong ... not broken like Brainiac.

You can feel the contempt Ra's has for Brainiac, the feeling of superiority having broken the AI. Brainiac is a key part of Ra's kingdom but Ra's seems to hate him. Interesting.

Superman flies in and quickly eliminates Ra's troops guarding the base. 

Ra's hopes Superman is slaughtering them but vitals show our hero isn't killing anyone. 

But Ra's wants to make Superman cross that last line. If this first barrage won't make Superman a killer, the next phase will. 

Out comes Chris Smith (this world's Metallo although not called that). And he is again armed with a Kryptonite bullet gun.

Ra's knows that this line, not killing, is key to corrupt this Superman. 

Unlike prior fights, Superman doesn't hold back.

Metallo is beaten in 4 seconds.

I don't think I have ever thought about the limits of this Superman. But this definitely showed me just how powerful he is. Four seconds!

And this shot of Metallo buried in the ground is a great one to show me as well.

We cut back to Krypton. 

Jor talks about how he sort of regretted having to kill those moles. When Kal says that certainly saving human lives is right even if you have to be cruel to do it. Jor hopes for a day when no one will need to be cruel.

Again, this is 'Pa Kent' wisdom but coming from Jor-El. This is a different world. It is such an intriguing new take.

But somehow this feels like a riff on the famous 'maybe you should have let those kids drown' talk that we saw in Zack Snyder's Man of Steel. Here Jor-El wants to save everyone ... people and insane moles. We should do everything to be above cruelty. Kal asking what Jor should have done is like Clark asking Pa what should he have done in that movie. Hmmm ...

Superman is tearing through everyone and Ra's shows up.

At last, a face-off.

Ra's keeps trying to lure our hero down an evil path. Why shouldn't Superman use his rage to raze the planet? 

But calling Kal his son is the mistake.

When you have grown up on 'Jor Wisdom', when you respect all your dad stood for, you won't let someone evil claim the father title.

DiGiandomenico zooms in on those steely eyes poking out from a furrowed brow. Art and words meshing beautifully.

Again, to show how little he cares for even his own lackeys, Ra's tries to kill Metallo only to have Superman stop it.

But then ... boom ...

Talia, the Omega of the Omega Men, the person who has been thwarting Ra's ... joins her father. She stabs Kal. She is working with her father.

Now that is a cliffhanger, turning this world and what we knew of it, on its head. The Omega Men have been working in conjunction with the Lazarus Corporation.

I have to say, this issue amped up my excitement for the book which has been slightly waning over time. I wanted to read more right after I finished this issue, something I haven't felt before with this book and always a good sign.

Overall grade: B+