Absolute Superman #11 – Jason Aaron, Writer; Carmine Di Giandomenico, Artist; Ulises Arreola, Colorist
Ray – 10/10
Ray: This series has done a lot of really great stuff since it began, but its crowning achievement may be its take on Brainiac. Ostensibly a slave of Ra’s al Ghul, working away in its lab on transhumanist horrors, the current “Brainiac Prime” was only one of many generic clones until it killed its master and took its place – embracing all the previous horrors with gusto. The flashback issue explaining this origin was horrific – and now the monster has Superman in its clutches. Kal-El was defeated by Ra’s and the betrayal of Primus – aka Talia – in the previous issue, and now Brainiac is determined to see if his moral code has been broken. In what’s essentially a twisted version of stories like “For the Man Who Has Everything”, a sedated Superman is put through one simulation after another of horrific twists on his past, to see which can push him to unleash his full powers – which would be then deployed in service of Ra’s goals.
As these disturbing simulations unfold, Brainiac’s everyday actions are just as horrific. As someone who came from this same pool of clones, it’s incredibly disturbing to see how he abuses the clones who now serve under him. While these two take the main focus this issue, Ra’s is lurking in the background as he plans his next move, and Talia has successfully captured Lois and Jimmy, as they both reel from the sudden betrayal. The surprise hero here is Sam Lane, as the cybernetic military man comes to the rescue of his daughter and proves exactly how he got his reputation. This issue has some big shockers, with one that’ll change the status quo of the series going forward, but I think this title has one distinction going for it in the VERY intense battle for the best Absolute book. It may just have the best villain of the lot in this sadistic green hivemind who takes over the series once again.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes
