Written by: Jason Aaron
Art by: Juan Ferreyra
Colors by: Juan Ferreyra
Letters by: Becca Carey
Cover art by: Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola (cover A)
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: February 4, 2026
First Impressions
This comic hits like a speedbag combo of flashbacks, fistfights, and setup teases that left me pumped yet itching for payoff. Superman's scattershot heroism feels raw and real, but Hawkman's tough-love beatdown steals the show early. Overall, it entertained with sharp energy, though the cliffhanger vibe screams "wait for next month."
Recap
The issue continues directly from Absolute Superman #15, where Superman rebuilt the Kent farm by hand sans powers and confronted billionaire Winslow Schott over worker deaths. He searched Brainiac's empty Nevada lab for Krypton remnants, mourned lost Sol, and read kids' prayers to rotting prisoner Ra's al Ghul. Amid wildfires, awkward Lois deflections, and Lana's support, he donned a blue suit again while catching satellites and facing lingering threats from Brainiac's algorithm, Talia al Ghul, and Lex Luthor.
Plot Analysis (SPOILERS)
In 1940 at Kahndaq's Sinai tomb of Teth-Adam, archaeologist Carter Hall descends with partner Bradford, marveling at treasures amid hieroglyphs hinting impossible origins. Bradford betrays him for Berlin, cuts his rope, and Carter grabs a glowing Nth metal mace from Thanagar, gaining wings and power to fight off Peacemaker guards. He emerges as the original Hawkman, claiming he's one of the good guys.
Now, veteran Hawkman intercepts Superman mid-flight, introducing himself as Carter Hall from Gotham who busted Nazis with alien Nth metal gear. Superman zips off twice for fake emergencies before they walk-talk over Metropolis, where G.A.T.E.S. agents seize Lazarus assets under Talia al Ghul's watch. Hawkman lectures on past heroes like Iron Munro and warns Superman he's too flashy, urging him to work with Lazarus instead of fighting them.
Superman starts to bolt, Hawkman punches him into the Daily Planet building, sparking a brutal aerial brawl as a massive Parasite monster rampages below from a Lazarus crate marked infectious. Meanwhile, Lois Lane meets laid-off editor Perry White in the rundown Planet offices; Jimmy texts excitedly about his new job. Superman admits no pre-power fights as Hawkman dominates, but Metropolis screams demand priority.
In Missouri, a humble family-man Lex Luthor with wife, Lena, and Alex rejects Brainiac's lavish offer for an anti-Superman project, content with his gas station and coaching. Brainiac reveals multiversal knowledge of grander Luthors and vows to motivate this "hollow shell." The issue teases "Rampage of the Parasite" next.
Writing
Pacing snaps like a rubber band between flashbacks, banter, and brawls, keeping pages turning fast. Dialogue crackles with Hawkman's grizzled grit and Superman's earnest quips, driving character clashes naturally. Structure weaves origin, mentor drama, and looming threats without filler.
Art
Juan Ferreyra's panels burst with dynamic flight poses and brutal impacts, clarifying chaotic sky fights amid city chaos. Composition layers Metropolis grit against soaring heroes, with close-ups nailing emotional beats like Hawkman's scowl. Colors pop vivid energy blasts against grimy urban tones, boosting tense mood.
Character Development
Superman's rookie impulsiveness shines through distractions and raw admissions, making him relatable amid godlike feats. Hawkman's cynical history motivates his tough intervention, consistent with war-hardened backstory. Relatability spikes in Lex's happy-dad vibe clashing Brainiac's expectations.
Originality & Concept Execution
Fresh 1940s Hawkman origin ties Absolute Universe grit to Superman lore without retreading tropes. Premise delivers mentor-rookie tension and Parasite tease with punchy execution, blending street-level heart with epic stakes. It nails "never-ending begins" vibe by subverting power fantasies early.
Positives
Hawkman's origin flashback delivers crisp action and world-building that grounds the Absolute Universe's gritty history, syncing perfectly with Ferreyra's explosive art for instant impact. Superman's hyper-vigilant interruptions inject witty realism into his newbie status, elevating pacing and relatability. The Lex-Brainiac scene flips villain expectations with heartfelt family focus, scoring high on originality.
Negatives
Hawkman's preachy monologue drags slightly amid screams below, slowing momentum despite solid dialogue flow. Parasite's intro feels abrupt as a teaser without deeper bites into its threat, undercutting immediate entertainment punch. Fight choreography shines but leans too much on Superman's inexperience, risking repetitive power gaps.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TwitterThe Scorecard
Writing Quality (Clarity & Pacing): [3.5/4]
Art Quality (Execution & Synergy): [3/4]
Value (Originality & Entertainment): [1/2]
Final Verdict
Absolute Superman #16 packs mentor mayhem and villain twists that reward your stack time with solid hooks and brawls. It earns a spot if you're chasing Absolute Universe buildup, but casual wallets might wait for the Parasite payoff. Sharp enough to fly above average monthly fare.
7.5/10
We hope you found this article interesting. Come back for more reviews, previews, and opinions on comics, and don’t forget to follow us on social media:
Connect With Us Here: Weird Science DC Comics / Weird Science Marvel Comics
If you're interested in this creator’s works, remember to let your Local Comic Shop know to find more of their work for you. They would appreciate the call, and so would we.
Click here to find your Local Comic Shop: www.ComicShopLocator.com
As an Amazon Associate, we earn revenue from qualifying purchases to help fund this site. Links to Blu-Rays, DVDs, Books, Movies, and more contained in this article are affiliate links. Please consider purchasing if you find something interesting, and thank you for your support.
No comments:
Post a Comment