Written by: Jason Aaron
Art by: Rafa Sandoval
Colors by: Ulises Arreola
Letters by: Becca Carey
Cover art by: Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola (cover A)
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: June 4, 2025
Absolute Superman #8, by DC Comics on 6/4/25, finds the Man of Steel returning to Smallville to visit the woman who took him in and search for the Peacemaker who killed civilians in Brazil.
Is Absolute Superman #8 Good?
Recap
When we last left the Absolute Universe in Absolute Superman #7, we learned the painful and tragic tale of Brainiac's life - from his start as a lowly sanitation worker to the master of his own ship. Unfortunately, Brainiac's century-long journey was filled with isolation, self-doubt, and madness. Now on Earth, Brainiac is obsessed with learning the secret behind this superpowered alien who recently appeared on Earth. The issue ended with Brainiac receiving a sample of Kryptonite from the Council of Brainiacs as a precursor to his trip to Kansas.
Plot Synopsis
In Absolute Superman #8, we begin with a prologue centering on Ra's al Ghul as the head of the Lazarus Corporation. During a shareholder call, he's attacked by Omega Men assassins. He easily continues the call while he kills the assassins and pontificates about the Biblical implications of a company named after Lazarus.
In Smallville, Kal-El visits Martha Wayne, who is suffering from an advanced form of dementia. He abruptly leaves when Martha cries out for help. When he walks the Main Street of Smallville at night, Kal is approached by Lois Lane of Lazarus Corporation and Jimmy Olsen of the Omega Men. Both want Kal to come with them, arguing that neither can be trusted. Jimmy argues Lazarus Corporation is responsible for many deaths and the economic ruin of Smallville. Lois argues that the Omega Men are terrorists who kill and destroy for their political agenda.
Before Kal can decide what to do, he's hit with a sniper bullet made of Kryptonite. The shot is followed by a squad of Peacemakers, led by Peacemaker Smith, who is now cybernetically enhanced by Brainiac. Lois and Jimmy drag Kal into a nearby shop to hide, still arguing over what's best for Kal. Meanwhile, Sol frantically works to extract the bullet. Peacemaker Smith finds them and attacks Kal with cybernetic punches. In response, Sol activates power reserves to form a suit of armor around Kal to enhance his strength.
Peacemaker Smith escalates the fight by unloading a magazine full of Kryptonite bullets into Kal. However, Smith is stopped remotely by Brainiac, who wants Kal alive. Before Kal is taken into custody, the rest of the Omega Men show up via a Boom Tube to escape, leaving Lois behind to suffer the consequences.
First Impressions
Absolute Superman #8 is a mild improvement, but it still misses the mark on the one thing that counts most. Superman is a plot device in his own comic, with very little agency, personality, or tangible reason to care about him.
How’s the Art?
Rafa Sandoval's artwork is outstanding, with a dramatic mix of moody settings, creative action, and unique visuals to portray the imaginative events that occur. For example, it's not every day you see A.I.-manipulated dust invade a humanoid body to extract a bullet. There aren't big, splashy moments, but you get several smaller wow moments to hold your attention for what amounts to three scenes.
What’s great about Absolute Superman #8?
Jason Aaron's script delivers action, conflict, and drama. The net result is a chapter in the larger arc that changes the relationship dynamics for Kal-El, pulling him into a larger group whether he wants it or not. Change is good. Progress, such as it is, is good. Plus, we get a very clear look at the threat level and evilness of Absolute Ra's al Ghul.
What’s not great about Absolute Superman #8?
The same flaw remains. Jason Aaron spends loads of time building out the world and characters, but Superman is relegated to a plot device. He's a blank slate with no personality, no moral compass, and no apparent goal other than to exist. You could replace Kal with a magical bracelet with immense power, and almost all of the story would be the same.
Further, the lack of setup is hand-waived into a series of coincidences. How did Lois know Kal would be in Smallville? How did Jimmy and the Omega Men know Kal would be in Smallville at the exact same place and time as Lois? How did Smith, Brainiac, and the Peacemakers accomplish the same feat of convenience?
In short, Jason Aaron gives you an action-packed issue, which is an improvement, but Kal has the least amount of character development. It's as if Aaron demoted Superman as a plot device because he doesn't know what to do with him.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Final Thoughts
Absolute Superman #8 turns up the action, shakes up the status quo, and builds out several of the characters. Unfortunately, all the good is offset by a lazy setup and a complete lack of development for the one character who matters most - Superman. Jason Aaron's script reads well, and Rafa Sandoval's artwork is phenomenal, but the story almost treats Superman like a guest character.
5.8/10
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