It seems that it’s time to flesh out the absolute Superman villain, and today it appears to be highlighted in issue 8. The heavy hitter in focus is Ra’s Al Ghul, but that’s not the only thing. The issue also forces Superman, Lois and Jimmy Olsen to stand up against each other. The beginning of a new story arc, when Superman realizes that he needs help from a friend, who can he trust?
Absolute Superman #8 opens with a wild battle scene between a Ra soldier and an Omega male soldier. He does their pretty quick work thanks to his strength and size. He is ruthless by killing the left and right blows while making investors’ calls. You can also see that Ra’s Al Ghul is doing something really scary to the baby to give an exclamation point to this opening fight scene. He’s a monster, but cold and concise. A threat that Superman should be difficult to defeat on his own.
This is a logical place to welcome Superman who has come to Smallville. Here he visits his adopted parents, but he is soon faced with Jimmy Olsen, who is also an Omega man. These scenes show Superman as a young, somewhat naive man, especially after losing his other parent figure. He also doesn’t trust Lois and Jimmy in great detail.
As both Lois and Jimmy talk to Superman, they receive information about what the Lazarus Project went to Smallville and how the public perceives Omega men. By the end of the matter, Lois finds herself in a tricky place and pushes her to make even more difficult choices.
This guy is a mess.
Credit: DC Comics
The villain’s thing side is even more fleshed out thanks to Agent Smith. This project becomes clear here, with Rafa Sandoval designing a fair amount of sci-fi costumes twisted about itself. On the back, this will allow Superman to move all over the board with a new look like a knight’s suit. We seem to have barely damaged the surface of what his suit can do. The ongoing red space dust effect remains a highlight when Superman enters Superhero mode.
At this point, the desire to see Superman is hoping to oppose his lonely persona. We have only eight issues with the series, but writer Jason Aaron seems to be breaking the drums that going solo doesn’t work. The superhero comic reader will know that he is bound to join factions. So, at this point, it’s just a waiting game. Being lonely meant that there was less exploration of Superman’s current personality, and that he was mostly dedicated to his childhood with flashbacks. Another minor complaint, but it’s more focused on the villains these days, so I hope we can learn how Superman is ticking.
Problem #8 gives the absolute Superman another standout villain showcase, moving forward with bigger political and moral interests, but the story still feels caught up in a retention pattern when it comes to Superman himself. Gorgeous art and Layered World Building keep it attractive, but it’s time for the man of tomorrow to stop hesitate and start acting.
“Absolute Superman” #8 offers gorgeous art and layered world building
Absolute Superman #8
Problem #8 gives the absolute Superman another standout villain showcase, moving forward with bigger political and moral interests, but the story still feels caught up in a retention pattern when it comes to Superman himself. Gorgeous art and Layered World Building keep it attractive, but it’s time for the man of tomorrow to stop hesitate and start acting.
Ra’s Al Ghul is a cold and effective enemy
Brutal movie opening action sequence
Includes visually amazing designs from Rafa Sandoval, new outfits and effects
Expanding the myth around the Omega men and the Lazarus project
I feel that Superman’s character development is still stagnant
Focusing more on Clark’s current thinking, emotional stakes could hit harder
