In this review of Absolute Superman #21, the final battle between Superman and Black Adam comes to a Moon-shattering conclusion.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #21
Written by JASON AARON
Art and Main Cover: RAFA SANDOVAL
Variant Covers: JEROME OPENA, GABRIEL WALTA, MARGUERITE SAUVAGE
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 7/22/26
This review contains spoilers
When last we saw Superman at the end of Absolute Superman #20, he was on the Moon standing over Black Adam. The fight rages on in this issue, with the two battling so hard they punch each other through the Moon, shattering it.
As Absolute Superman #21 begins, Lois and Talia continue their fight in Metropolis. Lois is able to hold her own, until Hawkman arrives, but rather than interfere with their skirmish, he turns his attention to the Father Box.
Back on the Moon, the two god-like beings continue pummeling one another on what remains of Earth’s natural satellite. Teth-Adam grows angrier as the fight goes on, eventually becoming so consumed with rage that he mindlessly utters the magic word, “Shazam!” which returns him to his powerless, young boy form.
At that same moment, Hawkman arrives with the Father Box, capturing King Shazam and sending him to a far away world. Later, Superman is able to weld the Moon back together with his heat vision.
Jimmy and Lois stop Talia and get her put behind bars for her crimes. Lois takes a job at the Smallville Gazette rather than the Daily Planet.
Absolute Superman #21 concludes with Black Adam on an alien planet returning to his Shazam form and vowing revenge on Superman.
Analysis
The last issue was at an eight on a scale of ten for insane fight scenes. Jason Aaron dialed that all the way up to ten for the conclusion of the “Reign of the Superman” arc. From beginning to end, it’s constant action, but thanks to the narration by Lois and dialog between Superman and Black Adam during the fights, we get to see what Kal is truly all about.
He cares about the people of Earth so deeply that he tells Lois and Jimmy a list of names of people he checks on all over the world. We find out that he delivers medicine, tends a garden, and brings stories and treats, just to name a few. He even takes time to pick up trash floating in the ocean. All of these things, and more, he wants to make sure that Lois and Jimmy take care of if he doesn’t make it back from the fight (which he does, of course).
I really like that Aaron throws in an abundance of people and places with this list. It confirms that this Absolute universe version of Superman is not so different than the version we’re used to.
Even through the end of the fight, Kal never stops trying to get Black Adam to use his powers for good. Unfortunately, the Egyptian is too far gone with anger to realize what Superman is trying to do.
I liked the ending of Absolute Superman #21 with Black Adam on some world thousands of light years away. His vow to get back to Earth and destroy Superman is completely in line with his behavior during this arc. He is driven by his power and fueled by absolute rage. I suspect that we’ll see him again down the road, but there’s someone else making a more immediate comeback and it’s about time!
That’s right, on the ending credits page of Absolute Superman #21, it says, “Next: Get Brainiac!” and I couldn’t be more excited. Jason Aaron gave us a tease of how insane this version of Brainiac can be and I’ve been waiting to see that explored further. The repercussions of him murdering Lex’s family should also come to light.
Rafa Sandoval and Ulises Arreola know how to create some high-energy, eye-pleasing superfights. Each panel of the fights is filled to the edges and there is no wasted space. There’s electrical energy crackling off of Black Adam, Superman’s suit morphing around him, and chunks of the Moon flying all over the place from the beating that each character dishes out and takes. All are beautifully drawn and colored. The final splash page is excellent. It has Black Adam radiating electricity while his black dust forms wings around him as he hovers over alien creatures on whatever world he has been sent to.
Final Thoughts
Absolute Superman #21 finishes out the “Reign of the Superman” story arc in fine fashion. It is filled with powerful battles that will keep you turning the pages. Have fun, comic lovers!
