Absolute Superman #13: The Battle of Kansas

Superman has escaped the hands of Ra’s al Ghul and Brainiac and has gone to the one safe place he knows: Smallville. But the nefarious Lazarus Corporation has followed him, and they brought back-up. Absolute Superman #13 continues the story of a variant Superman set in the Absolute Universe created by Darkseid. Written by Jason Aaron and art by Carmine Di Giandomenico. This issue is an all-out war between Smallville and the Lazarus Corp. This is the issue that changes it all: Kal-El has finally opened himself to the humans and accepts that his life on Krypton is no more. Now he is willing to do all that he can to stop his second home from facing the fate of his first. This is a can’t-miss issue filled with heart, action, and beautiful narrative insight.

We will be singing the praises of this series for a long time. It’s difficult to take an iconic character like Superman and reinvent him in a way that feels fresh, but Jason Aaron manages to reimagine Superman in the modern era while still capturing the essence of his character. The themes that Aaron presents in this series are themes that stay true to the characters but really hit home in our modern-day political climate. This version of Superman, reflecting an immigrant and working-class story, makes sense and aligns with the values at the core of Superman’s character. Superman also fighting an evil corporation that is exploiting its workers and feeding the rich just feels so timely. It’s a reminder that Superman is a hero for all generations. The hope that Superman inspires comes off the page and into our real lives. Superman is the hero we need today. I enjoyed that this issue really explores fascist regimes and the war between classes. It’s an interesting theme that parallels present-day political issues, but it’s an important reminder that Superman stories are human stories. Superman is the hero for everyone, both on and off the page. My favorite part of Superman stories is that he is as much a human as he is an alien, and this issue hits that nail on the head. It’s a beautiful story, and Aaron deserves so much praise.

The worldbuilding is expanded upon by the incredible art by Rafa Sandoval and colors by Ulises Arreola. Sandoval’s detailed, expressive style brings the world of Absolute Superman to life with energy and dynamism. The art in this issue is terrifying and Sandoval does not hold back on bringing the horror. It’s dark and eerie, just like this version of Absolute Superman. This issue is action-heavy, but Sandoval still brings depth and emotion to each sequence. From the very first page, this issue’s art captivates, drawing readers into its world with energy, depth, and breathtaking detail.