Absolute Superman #14: Kal Al Ghul

The Battle of Kansas rages on as the nefarious Lazarus Corporation faces off against the farming town of Smallville. Superman has escaped the hands of Ra’s al Ghul and Brainiac and has gone to the one safe place he knows: Smallville. But now he finds himself facing off against a billionaire and his legion of Peacemakers. Absolute Superman #14 is the epic conclusion of the Battle of Kansas. It all comes down to this. Written by Jason Aaron and art by Carmine Di Giandomenico, this issue is an all-out war between Smallville and the Lazarus Corp. Who will win: good or evil? Watch as Superman accepts his destiny and does all 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. Aaron is writing poetry in these pages, and it demonstrates the introspective nature of this version of Superman. 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. This issue focuses on the moral dilemma of Superman: what would someone with that amount of power do? It pushes Superman to make a choice- kill or be killed. But Superman has a deeper moral compass than most, and that is what makes him the world’s greatest hero. 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 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. The incorporation of the red sword given to Superman is a fantastic touch. From the very first page, this issue’s art captivates, drawing readers into its world with energy, depth, and breathtaking detail.