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Absolute Superman (2024) (Single Issues)
Absolute Superman (2024-) #21
The final battle with King Shazam. "Reign of the Superman" begins here.But which Superman will it be?
Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2026
About the author
Jason Aaron
2,432 books1,723 followersJason 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
July 24, 2026
This run just doesn’t miss for me. Jason Aaron delivers another absolutely epic issue that pays off the King Shazam story in a huge way. The action is relentless, the stakes feel massive, and the ending has me incredibly excited to see where this series goes next.
Rafa Sandoval is putting together one of the best-looking books on the shelves. Every page feels enormous, from the explosive action to the quiet moments between battles. This series just keeps raising the bar, and after 21 issues it’s still one of the books I look forward to most every month. Another easy 5⭐️.
Rafa Sandoval is putting together one of the best-looking books on the shelves. Every page feels enormous, from the explosive action to the quiet moments between battles. This series just keeps raising the bar, and after 21 issues it’s still one of the books I look forward to most every month. Another easy 5⭐️.
July 22, 2026
The prophecy was right, but not in the way Black Adam believed. Kal is the true hero of legend, and Hawkman is somewhere in between. Now, if anything, a Doomsday is coming.
July 25, 2026
Wow! What an epic and satisfying conclusion to the story arc. I loved the combat and the fallout afterwards. The panel with Lois and Talia at the end was the cherry on top for me.
July 24, 2026
There is a lot going for the issue; epic fight and heartfelt moments but something didn't quite click for me.
Let's get the main problem out of the way, how Black Adam was defeated. It doesn't matter how the scripter tries to frame it, outside of fairy tales and kids cartoons, tricking someone to say the word that makes them powerless is somewhat stupid. Moreso when Superman is apparently unaware of said weaknesses, so it's just dumb luck at the end of the day and an idiotic antagonist. There must have been a better way of resolving this?
I also think Sandoval needs more time to deliver. I recall Kieran Gillen saying it's nonsense that comic art has no budget, it does in terms of time. It's easier for an artist to draw talking heads or regular objects, than involve multiple characters and new/invented items/locations that require design/referencing. In this issue, the script demands an epic fight involving destroying the moon. The result is that some of the action gets quite muddy and confusing in places, making it hard to follow. I suspect this means Sandoval didn't have as much time to deliver their best work as I've seen better from them in this arc alone. Assuming it's a time restraint the editorial team and writer may want to consider more time or less busy scripts? That and I still think the colouring isn't the best fit, as being skewed to darker palettes plus busy panels/action accentuates my perceived problems with the art.
There are good moments to be found still. The reveal of what Superman's "to do list" in the event of his death is typical Superman and not a "how to avenge me" order. Hawkman continues to be a much more complicated character than expected and his ambiguity makes him more interesting than I've personally encountered the regular DC version to be. The splash page of where Black Adam finds himself is also an excellent tease where the art does the talking.
I think this arc was really trying to aim for epic with this issue/arc but the silly resolution and tricky art means it falls short. I appreciate them aiming high though and I'm still enjoying the series. Brainiac should be fun next issue.
Overall impression = 3/5
Writing = 3/5
Art = 3/5
Will I read the next issue? yes
Wait for the trade collection? I'm not sure how automatic dark horse collections are, so possibly follow as single issues?
Did I need to read previous issues/series? if you like an epic fight, this works fine. I think it's best read from #18
Will I read previous issues I'm all caught up via first two trades now.
Let's get the main problem out of the way, how Black Adam was defeated. It doesn't matter how the scripter tries to frame it, outside of fairy tales and kids cartoons, tricking someone to say the word that makes them powerless is somewhat stupid. Moreso when Superman is apparently unaware of said weaknesses, so it's just dumb luck at the end of the day and an idiotic antagonist. There must have been a better way of resolving this?
I also think Sandoval needs more time to deliver. I recall Kieran Gillen saying it's nonsense that comic art has no budget, it does in terms of time. It's easier for an artist to draw talking heads or regular objects, than involve multiple characters and new/invented items/locations that require design/referencing. In this issue, the script demands an epic fight involving destroying the moon. The result is that some of the action gets quite muddy and confusing in places, making it hard to follow. I suspect this means Sandoval didn't have as much time to deliver their best work as I've seen better from them in this arc alone. Assuming it's a time restraint the editorial team and writer may want to consider more time or less busy scripts? That and I still think the colouring isn't the best fit, as being skewed to darker palettes plus busy panels/action accentuates my perceived problems with the art.
There are good moments to be found still. The reveal of what Superman's "to do list" in the event of his death is typical Superman and not a "how to avenge me" order. Hawkman continues to be a much more complicated character than expected and his ambiguity makes him more interesting than I've personally encountered the regular DC version to be. The splash page of where Black Adam finds himself is also an excellent tease where the art does the talking.
I think this arc was really trying to aim for epic with this issue/arc but the silly resolution and tricky art means it falls short. I appreciate them aiming high though and I'm still enjoying the series. Brainiac should be fun next issue.
Overall impression = 3/5
Writing = 3/5
Art = 3/5
Will I read the next issue? yes
Wait for the trade collection? I'm not sure how automatic dark horse collections are, so possibly follow as single issues?
Did I need to read previous issues/series? if you like an epic fight, this works fine. I think it's best read from #18
Will I read previous issues I'm all caught up via first two trades now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2026
jimmy olsen you're my favourite diva
June 30, 2026
More Absolute Hawkman. Still learning about this Absolute Superman. No mention of Clark at all.
Slowly introducing new Absolute characters. Lets see where they go in this Absolute universe!
Slowly introducing new Absolute characters. Lets see where they go in this Absolute universe!
July 23, 2026
Wow...great finale to this arc!
July 23, 2026
I wasn’t super into this arc at the start of it but this really pulled together in the end. This issue was really gripping and I really really enjoyed it!
September 23, 2026
He put himself out. I am sure he is coming back - so that is going to be interesting.
July 22, 2026
A great finale to this arc. Can’t wait for what’s next
July 25, 2026
I hate to admit that was a disappointing finale to the arc, it feels like the power was taken completely out of Superman’s hands to be the symbol of hope and justice he’s been recently all to setup a plot line down the future. The way things ended clearly left a bad taste in his mouth as well as mine and I continue to hate the un-nuanced straight faced evil Talia reorientation and how quickly her story ended right here to become just like her dads. Now that’s not to say this book is a total negative, the art is fantastic. And I really enjoyed Superman’s last wishes, where he believed he wouldn’t be making it back so he told Jimmy and Lois all about the people and animals he helps all over the world every day, the people he would be worried about if he wasn’t there to swing by. That made me a bit emotional, but this also coincides with Superman getting bashed through the moon and Shazam literally channeling a tornado on the moon. So there is a bit of a distraction, lol. Also somehow Shazam is able to make his own armor similar to Superman’s, I guess that’s brainiac technology for you. But the fight itself comes to a quick end as Superman challenges everything Teth-Adam has become, how his years in the sarcophagus led to madness. Teth himself even begins to show that the slave boy who only wanted freedom is no more and all that is left is Shazam. But because he accidentally said the word in his anger, lightning comes back down and turns him back into the boy he started as…unable to breathe on the surface of the moon.
Now of course Superman would save Teth without issue, but before he could Hawkman swooped in with the father box, as apparently he can also go to the moon, and used his mace to channel their energies to send both of them away. Back on Earth, Lois and Talia have been duking it out…only for Jimmy to end it by shooting Talia in the leg. Jimmy left his job at the planet to travel the world and link up the final sects of the omega men resistance, Talia joined the Smallville gazette with her first story exposing the unsafe working condition in the meat packing industry which John Henry Irons have her a full look into to start her glorious muckraking journey, and Lois continued to visit Talia in prison to read her stories just like Superman did with Ra’s. No one knows what happened on the moon except for Hawkman and Superman, and Hawkman is out near Venus drinking his sorrows away and Superman hasn’t said anything since welding the moon back together. But the end of the issue reveals exactly what happened, as Teth was teleported to a planet thousands of light years away with the father box in hand only to find a planet meant to be his damnation. Sure he is able to transform back into Shazam and vows to find his way back to Earth to reclaim it, but he has a planet full of doomsdays to get through first. OOF, is this one of Darkseid’s fun pet projects or something? Was he playing with the world building tools and just spawned a bunch of doomsdays for the fun of it or something? Lmao.
Now of course Superman would save Teth without issue, but before he could Hawkman swooped in with the father box, as apparently he can also go to the moon, and used his mace to channel their energies to send both of them away. Back on Earth, Lois and Talia have been duking it out…only for Jimmy to end it by shooting Talia in the leg. Jimmy left his job at the planet to travel the world and link up the final sects of the omega men resistance, Talia joined the Smallville gazette with her first story exposing the unsafe working condition in the meat packing industry which John Henry Irons have her a full look into to start her glorious muckraking journey, and Lois continued to visit Talia in prison to read her stories just like Superman did with Ra’s. No one knows what happened on the moon except for Hawkman and Superman, and Hawkman is out near Venus drinking his sorrows away and Superman hasn’t said anything since welding the moon back together. But the end of the issue reveals exactly what happened, as Teth was teleported to a planet thousands of light years away with the father box in hand only to find a planet meant to be his damnation. Sure he is able to transform back into Shazam and vows to find his way back to Earth to reclaim it, but he has a planet full of doomsdays to get through first. OOF, is this one of Darkseid’s fun pet projects or something? Was he playing with the world building tools and just spawned a bunch of doomsdays for the fun of it or something? Lmao.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2026
What a fantastic conclusion to this arc of Absolute Superman! I loved how epic and intense this final battle was from beginning to end. Watching Superman wield both Steel's hammer and Hawkman's mace against King Shazam really emphasized the scale of the threat he was facing. King Shazam is an incredible force, and the fight absolutely delivered.
I also loved that the battle took place on the moon. The sheer amount of destruction made the conflict feel massive, and seeing Kal eventually weld the moon back together was such a memorable Superman moment. His clever use of a Mister Mxyzptlk-style trick against Shazam was another fun surprise that fit the story perfectly.
The art was spectacular, and the coloring constantly draws your eye to every page. This was an outstanding issue, an excellent conclusion to the arc, and one that I highly recommend.
Grade: A
I also loved that the battle took place on the moon. The sheer amount of destruction made the conflict feel massive, and seeing Kal eventually weld the moon back together was such a memorable Superman moment. His clever use of a Mister Mxyzptlk-style trick against Shazam was another fun surprise that fit the story perfectly.
The art was spectacular, and the coloring constantly draws your eye to every page. This was an outstanding issue, an excellent conclusion to the arc, and one that I highly recommend.
Grade: A
November 7, 2026
Only things I don't like in this comic book are the constant art shake-ups and the cringe one liners. Art is good but it changes too often, imagine getting used to one style for 15 chapters and having it be changed dramatically for a few chapters before going back.
Story is good, classic origin and superhero stuff. Lots of promise for future stories and some of the scenes are really well, as is the action.
Another thing, that makes this book a 3.5* and not 4* is that this is the second time Absolute Superman has disappointed with the ultimate showdowns between the villain and Superman.
Story is good, classic origin and superhero stuff. Lots of promise for future stories and some of the scenes are really well, as is the action.
Another thing, that makes this book a 3.5* and not 4* is that this is the second time Absolute Superman has disappointed with the ultimate showdowns between the villain and Superman.
July 24, 2026
Goddamn…I mean how do you top a battle that destroys the moon (don’t worry, Superman welds it back together afterward)?!! You do so with heartbreaking voiceover from Lois Lane describing how Superman made plans for all the people he helps around the world in the event of his death in such moon battle.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2026
O Maior quebra pau que eu já vi em um quadrinho de Super Heróis, como deve ser feito com personagens de tamanho poder, e com a melhor conclusão possível. Adoro como pouco a pouco cada revista do universo Absolute deixa uma pontinha para tramas futuras da "Liga Da Justiça" mas sem necessariamente afetar drasticamente o rumo particular de cada personagem.
July 24, 2026
4.5 | Great end to the best arc of the series yet. Kind of ends abruptly but the big moments like the fight on the moon to character moments between Hawkman and Superman make for an emotionally satisfying end as well to an already exciting conclusion.
October 3, 2026
Hell of a wrap-up to the Shazam arc, with one hell of a killer last page teasing a future rematch. Perfectly done. This issue also marks the first time in the entirety of Superman history that I’ve ever been curious to know what comes next for Jimmy Olsen.
October 11, 2026
A good closure to an irregular run. Nevertheless, good points were made, although it got to an epic kind of Thor ending. I like the world building and I see potential to new storylines. I’ll keep reading for now…
July 22, 2026
King Shazam loses his battle to Superman. so much action. jimmy olsen seemingly crippled Talia. Really entertaining issue
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2026
A fine issue with Lois and talia mirroring Kal and Ra's.
It sets up more than it actually shows.
It sets up more than it actually shows.
July 23, 2026
It's alright.
Some fun cosmic visuals during the fight, but otherwise, more of a setup piece for what's to come.
Some fun cosmic visuals during the fight, but otherwise, more of a setup piece for what's to come.
July 23, 2026
What a knockout. Aaron is KILLING it on this title. Loved the ending set up and DOOM might be coming.
July 24, 2026
What a ridiculously fantastic & beautiful end to this arc!
July 25, 2026
Yoooo hold up- absolute doomsday????? 😭😭😭😭
I love the morality Superman has—amazing
I love the morality Superman has—amazing
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2026
4.6 Really enjoyed this issue. Shazam is definitely going to be the final boss.
August 4, 2026
That was brutal.
Also the ending, oh fuck.
Also the ending, oh fuck.
August 14, 2026
Not understanding the hype around this issue. It was okay at best. Lots of wham-bam with a ridiculous conclusion. The best part was Superman's to-do list and Jimmy Olsen's (bad?) aim.
August 20, 2026
big booms
September 5, 2026
I like this series but the Black Adam stuff was getting redundant
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 23, 2026
This was a great sanding to the arc
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews