In this review of Absolute Superman #17, Superman and Hawkman take on the Parasite to save Metropolis, but can they figure out how to stop the creature in time?
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #17
Written by JASON AARON
Art by JUAN FERREYRA
Main Cover: RAFA SANDOVAL
Variant Covers: GERALD PAREL, RILEY ROSSMO, MIRKA ANDOLFO
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 3/4/26
This review contains spoilers
The three-part “Never-Ending Begins” story arc started in Absolute Superman #15 begins its conclusion in Absolute Superman #17 with the Parasite rapidly spreading through Metropolis, consuming everyone in grotesque fashion. Jimmy and Lois are both grabbed by the massive purple blob. Hawkman wants to use brute force to kill the creature, but only causes a small hole by flying through it. Superman stops him from further assaults, worried that it will harm the people the creature has taken in.
Clark makes it to Lois and is able to free her quickly. When she hears his voice, she stops being afraid and the Parasite spits her out. Lois tells Superman that the alien feeds off of fear. This gives him an idea on how to save everyone. He flies at the monster again, but allows himself to be captured. Hawkman tries to save Superman, but is captured, as well. Now linked to the Parasite and everyone inside, Clark’s inner voice is heard by the people causing them to calm down. This destroys the Parasite, freeing the citizens of Metropolis.
While Hawkman is linked with Parasite, Clark sends him a mental message to let his bosses at Lazarus know that he’s coming for them. Talia was busy using the Parasite as a distraction to have time to free her father from prison, but Carter calls her once the creature is destroyed, informing her that Superman will find them at some point and he’s not happy.
After the main story is done, the last two pages are reserved for Brainiac’s torture of Lex Luthor. Lex is tied to a post on his porch with his eyes held wide open by robotic fingers. Brainiac, covered in blood, tells Lex to “make yourself interesting” just before cutting him loose. With the torture complete, Brainiac leaves.
The final-page reveal is truly gruesome. The blood covering Brainiac came from Lex’s friends and family members, all of whom are now dismembered and scattered across the porch and yard.
Analysis
In the early issues of this book, Clark was unsure of his place in the world. Jason Aaron has developed him to the point that Superman is now realizing his true power lies in the fact that people have grown to believe in him as a hero. Not liking Hawkman’s physical approach, Clark wants to find another way to handle the Parasite in order to keep the people safe. He’s massively powerful and has a lot of anger inside, but Clark is figuring out his purpose in this world. It’s a slightly different spin on the Superman story, but the core is the same and quite enjoyable.
The side story with Talia breaking Ra’s out of prison was interesting. At first, he just wanted Talia to leave him there to die, but eventually gives in and leaves with her. Before he goes, he apologizes to Superman (although Clark isn’t there, so it’s more for the reader to know). Clark has unfinished business with Lazarus, so Ra’s will certainly show up at some point in the future, but will Aaron give us a changed Demon’s Head?
The closing to Absolute Superman #17 was actually a bit shocking. This version of Brainiac is on a mission and has now shown himself to be completely insane. The brutality is what stands out. Aaron isn’t pulling any punches in this story. Yes, they were background characters, but a slaughter like this to take place in a Superman book is a little jarring. There are severed heads, heads cut in half, and legs scattered all over the page. If that doesn’t push Lex to madness, I’m not sure what will.
Juan Ferreyra continues to kill it with the artwork in Absolute Superman #17. There are a couple of panels that show close up views of Parasite’s tentacles worming their way into people’s faces that are stunning. Overall, this has been the goriest issue in the run, but the illustrations and coloring are still top notch.
Final Thoughts
Absolute Superman #17 brings the full horror of Parasite and Brainiac, but gives us a good Superman message of standing together in the face of fear. Fans of beautifully horrifying artwork will want to check this one out. Have fun, comic lovers!
