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!

We open with a flashback in the 40s. With World War II happening, Carter Hall is exploring the tomb of Seth-Adam (complete with lightning bolt hieroglyphic). Hall is there for Lazarus. But his partner Bradford is there secretly for Berlin. When Bradford tries to kill Hall by cutting the rappeling rope, Hall reaches out and grabs a large mace embedded in the wall surrounded by what looks like Brainiac depicted in hieroglyphics ... Hawkman is born.

Notice how the mace sort of brands some mark on the right forearm. My guess is Hall touches that mark to activate the wings/mummy wraps/mace. Fascinating.

Hall brains Bradford with the mace and emerges from the tomb with wings and weapons.

There is a lot here. First off, Seth Adam's tomb. We know Black Adam is coming. Why and how are there Thanagarian weapons there? Is this power aided by Shazam magic? Or strictly Thanagarian?

As said above, the sepia tones here sell the flashback feel.

In present time, Hawkman is honestly trying to be a sort of dark mentor to Clark. 

It is clear the power levels here are near equal as Hawkman is able to physically stop Clark from flying off on rescue missions as they try to start the conversation. And you see Hawkman's style, worming from information out of Clark, revealing the alien history. We also get the Thanagar name-drop. Interesting. 

One of the things that I have wondered about is how are all these Absolute Events (Wonder Woman fighting the Tetracide in Gateway City, Batman busting up Gotham, etc) happening without Clark interceding if he is always listening. 

Hawkman lays it out. Earth suddenly has 'The Big Bat' and 'The Witch'. There are also the prior 'super-heroes' like Iron Munro and Oliver Queen who either took the money or were killed by the evil running the world (again as seen in Absolute Evil). Hawkman was the messenger in those interactions. And now he is laying it out to Superman.

But Superman's response is fantastic. First, he hasn't heard about 40s heroes; he is from space. Second, he probably hasn't heard the Gotham/Gateway news because all he hears are the screams. It is a decent enough explanation to answer 'why didn't Superman help save Gateway?'

But the dark underbelly of Hawkman comes out.

He has saved billions of people in his long life. He has done that by working in the system, quietly, and with the right people (like Veronica Cale and Absolute Joker, etc.). Superman is too colorful ... too loud. He has to tone it down. And the first step is stop fighting Lazarus.

Love how Superman responds. He'll never stop fighting Lazarus given the evil they have done. And he is probably done with this conversation, needing to run off again to help people.

This Hawkman reminds me so much of the Superman in Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns, giving up some of his ideals and ethics to work within a corrupt system to do what he can. He also isn't against doing some evil at the command of others. Absolute Hawkman is a sort of dark mirror of what Superman could be.

Cut to Metropolis where Lois is trying to find the Daily Planet to work for a newspaper she feels has some integrity. Turns out the big building with the shiny globe has been turned into condos. The Planet is in a dingy building and they have just fired their no-nonsense editor. 

Enter the Absolute Perry White!

He recognizes Lois and loves her work. He tells her journalism will break her heart. Is Perry a sort of Jack Kirby stand in? He sort of looks like Jack here!

Will Lois join him for some independent news outlet? I hope so. 

Superman is trying to get to a catastrophe happening in Metropolis but Hawkman isn't happening. 

He needs to teach Superman these lessons and if it has to happen at the end of a mace, so be it. 

I said before, we learned fast that power levels here are pretty even. But Hawkman has experience and training on his side. Initially we see he has the upper hand in this fight. 

Again, the coloring works so well here. Blood red background on black silouhettes. Fire energy from maces and heat vision. It looks like a mythological battle on a Grecian urn. Works perfectly.

Their power levels are near equal or pretty even. But Superman has some skills too. He grabs the mace perhaps crushing the mace head a little.  Then ... boom!

Love this 'x-ray' shot of Superman punching Hawkman through a building. 

Big moments need big art. Superman laying the smackdown on Hawkman needs this energy and size. And the peek through on the buildings just adds. Great work by Ferreyra.

We finally see the menace in Metropolis - a kaiju sized Parasite.

Earlier in the issue, we saw a new organization G.A.T.E.S. (Global Anti-Terrorism and Emergency S-word) removing tech and items from Lazarus. A Lazarus agent, at the order of Talia, shoots a crate releasing the beast which quickly absorbs the nearby men.

Now we see what it has become!

Sort of a demigorgon looking dinosaur. 

In a classic Marvel style, perhaps the fighting heroes (if you call Hawkman a hero) will team-up t fight the bigger threat.

Now this could have been a perfect cliffhanger. But we get one more scene.

We meet the Absolute Lex Luthor, a true family man living in Missouri. A visitor tries to lure Luthor into a bigger business and bigger worldview but this Luthor would rather enjoy a backyard day with his wife and kids Lena and Alex! That's right Lena and Alex!

 

Brainiac finally reveals who he is, shedding his hologram of a human and talking about how he has seen other Luthors and he needs someone like that.

Absolute Brainiac has seen other universes!! Luthor has a backyard and kids!! Amazing! And another great cliffhanger!

I have to say, I enjoyed this issue a lot. A lot! The pace is so different from earlier issues. But the world building is there. The Hawkman stuff - the origin, the 'lessons', the fight - sang to me. And meeting Luthor was a bonus. Add to that the gorgeous art and this is a winner!

Overall grade: A