In this review of Absolute Superman #18, Superman helps Lois take on Talia and Ra’s al Ghul, but unintentionally releases a greater force upon the Absolute universe. Find out the electrifying details here!
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #18
Written by JASON AARON
Art and Main Cover: RAFA SANDOVAL
Variant Covers: GERALD PAREL, BEN OLIVER, CHRIS BURNHAM
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 4/1/26
This review contains spoilers
Absolute Superman #18 starts the “Reign of the Superman” story arc in which we get introduced to Absolute Shazam! An enslaved child in Kahndaq, Teth-Adam escapes into the desert where he encounters a Brainiac ship. They capture him and test a device (that looks and sounds a lot like a Father Box) found in a black hole on him, with unknown results.
The story shifts to Lois on the hunt for the Al Ghuls. She’s found them and plans to murder Talia to avenge her father’s death. Superman tracks Lois using the red crystal he had given her, but she removes it before he can get to her.
Talia wants Ra’s, now weak and frail, to restore himself in the one remaining Lazarus pit, but he only wants to make amends for his sins and tries to destroy the pit.
In the middle of the Al Ghuls’ argument, Lois arrives, followed shortly thereafter by Superman. Talia uses a Father Box to attack Clark, briefly incapacitating him. A squad of Peacemakers prepares to enter the complex to help Talia, but a mysterious man with a large steel hammer emerges from the shadows to take them out.
Steel makes his way inside and attacks Ra’s. At the same time, Superman summons enough strength to hit the Father Box causing it to short circuit. It sends out a blast of energy to a container with a lightning bolt symbol on it, freeing Shazam.
Analysis
Jason Aaron gives us a pretty big issue setting up a whole bunch of different things for the future of this title. The biggest one is the introduction of Absolute Shazam or, as he refers to himself at the end, King Shazam. Ra’s seemed adamant about stopping the fight, not wanting to have Shazam released by accident, so if Ra’s al Ghul is afraid of someone, then that person must be a big deal. In the Absolute universe, characters can be a little different than we usually expect, so it remains to be seen what this version of Shazam will be like, but Aaron has been doing a great job with the takes on other characters so far and I’m looking forward to this one.
As if the introduction of Shazam wasn’t enough, it looks like we get the Absolute version of Jon Henry Irons in Absolute Superman #18, as well. It’s definitely the Steel character, but since whoever’s inside is completely enclosed in a suit and helmet, there’s no way to tell for sure who it is just yet. One thing’s for certain – Steel’s got beef with Ra’s and he’s not afraid to take care of business.
I was a little disappointed that we didn’t get a continuation of the deranged Brainiac storyline that’s been teased at the end of the last few issues. After the conclusion of Absolute Superman #17, I was expecting to get a bit more of the aftermath with Lex, but I suppose Aaron is saving that up for its own arc, which is for the best.
Rafa Sandoval returns as the artist in Absolute Superman #18. His design for Steel is fitting for an iron worker, as it looks to be an insulated suit and welding helmet meant to handle hot, bright metal. While we don’t get to see the full Shazam suit, there’s enough of it revealed to show that the design is similar to Superman’s with the yellow energy crackling around his lower legs and wrists. The lightning bolt emblem is massive across his chest and also radiates energy. The next issue should give us a clear picture of his overall appearance, but he looks menacing and tough as hell already. Ulises Arreola also returns to do the color work and everything looks just as good as his previous work. The colors throughout are vivid and compliment the action perfectly.
Final Thoughts
Absolute Superman #18 introduces not one, but two, new Absolute universe characters who both have many details yet to be revealed. This exciting start to a new story arc is a good jumping on point for fans who have somehow been skipping on this title.
