In this review of Absolute Superman #4, Lois Lane’s relentless quest to locate Superman leads to a shocking standoff and introduces a few familiar faces along the way.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #4
Written by Jason Aaron
Art and Main Cover by Rafa Sandoval
Variant Covers: David Talaski, Rahzzah, Keron Grant
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: February 5, 2025
This review contains spoilers
Absolute Superman #4 shifts focus to Agent Lois Lane as she scours the globe gathering first-hand accounts of the many victims saved by Superman; whether from accidents, natural disasters or the brutal tactics of the Lazarus Corporation. Lois ventures out alone into every village, dismissing her protective detail of Peacemakers in order to gain the people’s trust so that they might tell her where to find their hero.
Every person she encounters has the same answer: that Superman fears he may one day be forced to eradicate Lazarus. And they all tell Lois they welcome that day.
Back at Lazarus HQ, Christopher Smith, the original Peacemaker, consults the Brainiac AI for counseling in the aftermath of a recent battle with Superman. A remorseful Smith admits to feeling helpless in the wake of Superman’s immense power, and that he deliberately fired his weapon at the crowd that cheered for their new champion.
Back in Pakistan, Lois ambushes the Omega Man called Alpha, and starts asking questions. Alpha’s attempts to reason with her gets nowhere so he disarms her and the two brawl while Alpha rattles off facts about Lois, her father and Lazarus. They end up face-to-face, weapons drawn, and Alpha urges Lois to run.
Seconds later the woman called Omega Prime opens fire, narrowly missing Lois. The Peacemakers hear the gunfire and the leader orders Christopher Smith to take point as they mount a rescue. Prime (or Primus) attacks Lois with a giant energy sword. Alpha unexpectedly reappears, momentarily stopping the fight, but he is uncertain where his loyalties lie.
Before Alpha is forced to choose, he and Primus are knocked back by a strong blast wind from above. Superman appears as a shadowy figure amid a swirling red cloud. As Superman lands in typical dramatic fashion, Primus approaches him with a request to join the Omega Men cause, but she is sent flying in response.
Lois finally gets Superman’s attention, claiming she just wants to talk. Remarkably Superman declines her request with great restraint. Adding to the chaos, the Peacemakers crash the party and Lois orders them to stand down but they ignore her. Smith confronts Superman in a rage asking if he remembers him to which Superman replies “no,” and blasts the squad with his freeze breath.
Lois pleads with Superman to stay as he launches skyward and disappears. Alpha snaps a photo with his phone. Lois then dresses down Smith and the others who are frozen in a block of ice, but still alive. A group of Pakistani citizens joyfully approach the frozen Peacemakers for a photo op.
Elsewhere an angry Primus strikes Alpha as he intently stares at the image of Superman on his phone. Alpha is revealed to be none other than Jimmy Olsen, who believes that he can get Lois to switch sides.
As Absolute Superman #4 ends, Christopher Smith recovers from a berserker rage to discover that after being freed from the ice, Smith had gunned down the entire group of Pakistani citizens in a horrific war crime.
Review
Writer Jason Aaron’s script in Absolute Superman #4 crackles with intensity, emotion and dark humor, blending real world issues with the fantastic in this new, much more grounded DC Universe. Aaron pulls no punches in his storytelling, and lays out character breadcrumbs for readers to collect and follow.
Whatever her professional role, Lois Lane excels as a truth seeker and is just as headstrong as her journalist counterpart. It is revealed that Lois’ tenure in Lazarus dates back three years to just after her father’s “accident”.
Superman’s presence in Absolute Superman #4 looms larger than the few pages in which he appears. Aaron has expertly updated the Man of Steel’s original mission as protector of the downtrodden.
Jimmy Olsen’s unmasking was not a big surprise except for his role in the Omega Men. His photojournalist eye and optimism still shine through. His allegiance to the group and to Omega Prime is curious as he clearly isn’t up for clod blooded murder. Prime’s true identity and her connection to Sam Lane also raises questions.
As for General Lane’s role in Absolute Superman #4, he is the same irascible, hardcore military man in both universes, but unfortunately he is drawn with a mustache which creates a more than passing resemblance to Marvel Comics’ General Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross.
Brainiac as a gaslighting AI is a clever addition to the Absolute Universe, and whether it deliberately set up Christopher Smith to become the darkest version of himself remains to be seen, as does Brainiac’s origin in this new universe.
Rafa Sandoval’s stunning visuals impress with every page, whether using a nine panel grid, tilted panel layouts for hand-to-hand combat, the slow camera pan reveal of Sam Lane’s injuries, Christopher Smith’s close-ups or Superman’s quiet contempt.
Grim ending aside, Absolute Superman #4 keeps this thrilling, high quality story roaring on all cylinders.
Final thoughts
Absolute Superman #4 continues the consistently high quality storytelling of the previous issues, with slightly less action but plenty of terrific character work and a larger focus on Lois Lane.
