Absolute Superman, Vol. 2: Son of the Demon

Absolute Superman (2024)

by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval (Artist), Carmine Di Giandomenico (Artist)

For five years, Superman has been on the run, hounded across our planet, and treated like a criminal. When the mysterious Omega Men finally catchup to him, they are determined to plead their case—only with his help and by unleashing the full scope of his terrifying power can they put an end to the Lazarus Corporation and its lord, the notorious Demon’s Head and murderer of Ra’s al Ghul! Meanwhile, both Lazarus operative Lois Lane and Omega Men volunteer Jimmy Olsen have had their lives changed by their first encounters with the Superman…but they may not be able to set aside their differences long enough to keep him from falling into a deadly trap! Will Kal-El be able to contain his rage, or will his anger engulf the whole world?

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Comic Book, Superman, Graphic Novels Comics, Superheroes

Kindle Edition

First published March 3, 2026

About the author

Jason Aaron grew up in a small town in Alabama. His cousin, Gustav Hasford, who wrote the semi-autobiographical novel The Short-Timers, on which the feature film Full Metal Jacket was based, was a large influence on Aaron. Aaron decided he wanted to write comics as a child, and though his father was skeptical when Aaron informed him of this aspiration, his mother took Aaron to drug stores, where he would purchase books from spinner racks, some of which he still owns today.

Aaron's career in comics began in 2001 when he won a Marvel Comics talent search contest with an eight-page Wolverine back-up story script. The story, which was published in Wolverine #175 (June 2002), gave him the opportunity to pitch subsequent ideas to editors.

In 2006, Aaron made a blind submission to DC/Vertigo, who published his first major work, the Vietnam War story The Other Side which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Miniseries, and which Aaron regards as the "second time" he broke into the industry.

Following this, Vertigo asked him to pitch other ideas, which led to the series Scalped, a creator-owned series set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation and published by DC/Vertigo.

In 2007, Aaron wrote Ripclaw: Pilot Season for Top Cow Productions. Later that year, Marvel editor Axel Alonso, who was impressed by The Other Side and Scalped, hired Aaron to write issues of Wolverine, Black Panther and eventually, an extended run on Ghost Rider that began in April 2008. His continued work on Black Panther also included a tie-in to the company-wide crossover storyline along with a "Secret Invasion" with David Lapham in 2009.

In January 2008, he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, though it would not affect his work on Scalped. Later that July, he wrote the Penguin issue of The Joker's Asylum.

After a 4-issue stint on Wolverine in 2007, Aaron returned to the character with the ongoing series Wolverine: Weapon X, launched to coincide with the feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Aaron commented, "With Wolverine: Weapon X we'll be trying to mix things up like that from arc to arc, so the first arc is a typical sort of black ops story but the second arc will jump right into the middle of a completely different genre," In 2010, the series was relaunched once again as simply Wolverine. He followed this with his current run on Thor: God of Thunder.

Reviews

[Scott Rhee · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the darkest and most gruesome of the current "Absolute" series from DC that I've read so far, Absolute Superman "Volume 2: Son of the Demon" by Jason Aaron continues young Superman's fight against the global Lazarus Corporation run by Ra's Al Guhl and the psychopathic A.I. known as Brainiac.

The gore is off the charts in this one. In the first five pages, we have the pleasure of watching someone vomit their bones, someone being skinned, and someone being liquified. Yay! (Needless to say, this series is so NOT for kids. Unless they're sociopaths already.)

Very dystopic, bleak, and a little too-close-to-home in terms of verisimilitude, but this second volume is somewhat better than the first volume. I will continue with this series, for sure, but so far it's my least favorite of the DC "Absolute" series.

[Lashaan Balasingam · Rating 3 out of 5]

We get a Kal-El that doesn't know who he is, beyond what others think he should be. The whole story arc is focused on him getting potentially weaponized by others, unless he does something. In this case, the something consist on breaking his rule and killing evildoers. While the story isn't bad, it's quite unimpressive. It's very bombastic, like it loses all of its potential with its over-the-top scifi nonsense. I'm also disappointed in the artwork by the artists involved in this run. It feels like any other comic, instead of being unique, especially when this Absolute series is meant to go all-in.

[Petra]

okay so this is why we're not seeing damian in the absolute universe...

[Cristian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why can't Chris catch a break in any universe 😭

[Tyson]

supowman…

[Siona Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid continuation of the first volume. I like this interpretation of Brainiac. Ra’s al Ghul is interesting but it almost feels like a mash up of him and Vandal Savage. Not sure how I like it, I think it could have been developed a little bit more. I do like the Battle of Kansas arc. I think I’ll wait until the next volume to decide if I keep going with this series. So far its the weakest of the Absolute line for me

[Aidan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a refreshing take on Superman. I don't think i personally have ever seen him deal with anger and struggles like this. The set pieces are fantastic the story really moved me as cringe as that is haha

[Dani Lane · Rating 5 out of 5]

SHE MADE HIM A SUIT I’M GOING TO CRY

[AnthonyGodoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOD, un cierre doloroso, con dos perdidas importantísimas para el personaje, toda la trama fue una locura, la manera en la que Brainiac existe en este mundo es impresionante y aun quedara por ver mas sobre eso, Ras Al Ghul es una locura, su filosofía impone y ciertamente es algo a lo que Superman se encuentra sometido todo el tiempo, una manera de exponer su verdadera forma, y aunque lo desea, Superman siempre toca las decisiones difíciles, las justas, incluso para los injustos, no se puede decir que sea el camino correcto, pero si corromperse es la forma de cerrar el ciclo, que nos espera? Y cuando empezaremos a pedir mas y mas, cuando dejaremos a un lado la bondad y el bien común genuino por el salvajismo de decidir quienes viven o mueren según nuestra ley, según nuestro juicio, es lo que Ras Al Ghul propone, romper los formalismos de la bondad para "salvar" el mundo, no es el camino que deberíamos tomar y ciertamente, el mejor de nosotros no lo hará, encontró un camino en el cierre de esta historia, y el mensaje que deja es el mismo de siempre. Esperanza.


que portada leka


que capa mas gOd


Peacemaker que buena serie


una tristeza total, Clark no solo perdio su capa, pero aun asi, gano la idea de un nuevo traje, y la herencia de quienes lo amaron como a hijos, esta historia si duele un vergo cabron :'v


El mejor panel!!! Resume excelente la obra hasta el momento en los dialogos y lo que simboliza filosoficamente este enfrentamiento, una genialidad visual!

[André Habet · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Absolute line continues to thrill as no other superhero comics have in recent memory. Aaron's examination of power, restraint, and family, and his reimagining of Superman's origin, is superb. On art, Rafael Sandoval creates a Kal El (don't call him Superman yet) that struggles every month to hold back his grief-fueled rage at oppressors and even all the Earth for the pain of the loss of his family and home. Even the manner in which we get people closer to their Earth-1 counterparts is interesting and comes organically from the narrative. There are true losses in this volume that open Aaron to many options in the next one. I'll keep coming back to this.

I got Absolute Batman Vol 2 still to read, but so far, I'll say it's Wonder Woman, Superman, and then Batman. Batman is the most adolescent of the 3, and I get why many people like its interpretation of the Dark Knight. Maybe Vol 2 will endear me more to this version.

Overall, what I like about the Absolute universe is that it gives these heroes backgrounds that connect them to others closer to the struggles most readers face than their Earth-1 counterparts. For Clark, his grief here provides the source of his struggle in a way that puts Earth-1 Bruce's to shame. lol But I think it's a great wrinkle to give him.

He's not a mindless brute, but someone with near-limitless power who is deeply hurt and continues to hold back from unleashing that power, lest he devastate innocents and harm the legacy of his family and planet in doing so.

Great stuff. Read it.

[Renato · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I was raised to judge someone by the lightning in their hands, not just the thunder in their mouths."

To Recap a few things about the Absolute Superman universe:
⚡Kal-el grew up on Krypton to a low status family, so his exodus to Earth leaves him more alien and separate to his adoptive culture, as well as championing the down-trodden.

⚡While he still has some super powers, he power is mostly augmented via a suit (named Sol) that acts like an hyper-intelligent armour.

⚡This Superman is much more global

⚡Lazarus Corp takes the place of LexCorp, with R'as Al Ghul being the evil billionaire tycoon.

⚡The Daily Planet is not a staple here; Lois Lane and Jimmy Olson have other interesting entrances into this story.

In this 2nd volume, there is no longer any watching from the distance: Al Ghul comes to front and center with a destiny for Kal-El, whether he accepts it or not. This is very similar to a classic R'as Al Ghul / Batman plotline, but it now makes more sense because ...it involves Superman!

The people of Kansas also get top marks here.

Definetly an upgrade from Volume 1 (of which I waffled on before concluding my review).

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is the first Absolute book I've read that didn't get the full five stars. Superman was the one that I vibed with the least of the first batch, and although it's really good, after 14 issues, I think I know why.

It feels like Superman's not really the focus of the story. He gets to shine in certain moments, like during the fight scene at the end of the trade, but he feels like a vehicle for other, more interesting characters to have a plot revolve around. Brainiac, Lois, Jimmy, and now Ra's all have more to do than Supes does, and it's his book. He's not a blank slate, or even relegated to the side, but it just feels like he doesn't get much to do aside from blow up some robots or get tortured.

That said, the plot is great, if a little unexpected. There are a few good reveals, and the overall ending of the trade kicked me right in the feels, so it's still a solid book. I think it's just struggling to find the main character's identity, which might be the point given how lost Kal feels right now.

[Nevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

My opinion of the first volume was mixed, but the good aspects were the novelty and the idea of Superman fighting a cruel world-spanning corporation. The novelty is wearing off, and the corporation is replaced by an over the top villain. Kind of boring.
Also, though the creators couldn't have predicted this political moment, it felt very weird to read this while ICE is occupying Minneapolis. The comic's cartoonish attack on Smallville ends suddenly when the soldiers realize they don't want to attack other Americans. It's hollow compared to reality, and in-comic it leaves you with the awkward question "so they're good because they only want to kill civilians in other countries"?

[Maja · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was something that didn’t quite work for me in this volume and I’ll attempt to pinpoint what it was exactly. I suppose one thing is that there were several pivotal moments happening in pretty quick succession in a way that felt almost a little rushed. Lois and Jimmy pledge fealty to Superman without a single moment of hesitation so quickly it’s just a little… idk I think maybe the best way to put it is that many of the things that happened in this volume don’t feel earned to me. Including the conclusion of the "battle of Kansas" which was just… eh?? But I’ll continue to read this when the rest of the issues of vol 3 come out

[Langston Lardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid entry in the absolute universe, while not as good as MM or WW imo it’s still some top tier story telling. The artwork is of course gorgeous and the twists on characters we know is still done really really well. The absolute universe does something really well and that’s make our characters feel like they have been through absolute hell and the worst possible outcomes but yet still have them shine through somehow, each book does this so well. The absolute universe started with a bang and it keeps on giving.

[Chr*s Browning]

Still my least favorite of the Absolute series running right now - it's just too militaristic and I don't come to superhero comics for that. The changes to canon also don't interest me that much - what if Brainiac was The Joker? What if Superman's cape talked? What if Ra's Al Ghul looked like Jason Aaron (lol)? What if there was a really obvious twist halfway through this volume? I'll still read it, but I guess I'll have to wait to see if I feel it.

[Randy Lander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Absolute Wonder Woman is far and away my favorite Absolute comic, but Superman is a close second. Similar to the aborted New 52 Action Comics of Grant Morrison that recast Superman as a young radical hero resisting the system, Jason Aaron recreates Ras Al Ghul as the head of a corrupt megacorporation bent on turning the man of steel into his heir and tool for cleansing the planet. It's as gritty as the other Absolute books, but has a core of hope that makes it a great Superman comic.

[Keegan Schueler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute level up from the first volume and the villains shine in her as well as actually exploring the Superman characters in this world. There are so many good issues in here from the Brainiac one to the history of Superman one that it really is amazing. Not as peak as absolute Batman but is still awesome.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting into the weeds while fighting Ras Al Ghul and defending Kansas from the Peacekeepers. Things looked pretty bleak, but they didn't really deserve the happy ending. It was hard to believe he would come back from how badly beaten he was. But this is comics. Getting close to dropping this one.

[haney]

"I'm doing what all of Krypton did before me... I'm dying."

still really fascinated by the concept of a superman who is so angry, lonely and hurt (he even says "i work alone" like batman would, which did get a chuckle out of me despite it being a serious scene), but I think that this story slowly loses what made it so unique in the beginning :/

[Isaac Bettridge · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a letdown despite being a good comic overall. Ra's al Ghul never really worked as a villain for me and the supporting cast still feel a bit thin. Still has an engaging narrative and the characterisation of Superman himself really worked for me, emphasising his working class roots and how that contrasts with the elitist villains. Seems like a good set up for future stories.

[Valuxiea · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm really curious as to where this is going to go, because it seems much that made this iteration unique has gone away, and now I'm wondering if I've been Surf Dracula'd. Pacing is also a bit of an issue, but there are so many great moments.

[Chad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Superman faces off against Ra's al Ghul with a nutzo Brainiac in the mix. It's good stuff. Rafa Sandoval and Carmine Di Giamenico kill it with the art. I'm less thrilled by the colors. Still really enjoying these Absolute titles.

[Tyler Gourdin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely enjoyed this one a lot more than volume 1. First half was a bit dull but definitely had a strong second half. While this is probably my least favorite of the absolute books, I do think the it has great potential.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like the first trade, this book is a slow burn, but once it gets moving it COOKS! It some how manages to achieve the harrowing darkness and brutality of the other Absolute books while still managing to have the beating heart and hopefulness of the titular character

[Graham Bradley]

I've read these 6 issues. Great arc, great lead-in to the next one.

[mica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Espectacular arco, me encanta este mundo apocalíptico.

[Milo · Rating 4 out of 5]

pending #14. but this was really solid - a fun arc that fuses Ra's Al Ghul into Superman's mythology in a novel twist. Jason Aaron is very good at this.

[scarlet♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“for our angel, our lost son, clark kent”

[Mely]

Read as single issues.