Absolute Superman #17 – Jason Aaron, Writer; Juan Ferreyra, Artist
Ray – 10/10
Ray: Superman is usually one of the brightest and most optimistic titles in the DCU – but this isn’t the DCU. Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra, both creators used to working with horror, are well-suited to a take on the character that pits him against much more disturbing enemies – and this issue may be the one that indulges that nightmare fuel the most. Superman defeated Lazarus Corp, but the shady organization is still kicking, and now it’s unleashed the Parasite – here a massive abomination hungry for contact that turns anyone it touches into a part of its web. This is around the time that Superman is confronted by Carter Hall, the mercenary Hawkman who killed Oliver Queen in this world. The two are on the verge of blows when the Parasite attacks, forcing them to put their enmity aside and team up – especially as some of those closest to Superman are now part of Parasite’s twisted web.
The visuals in this issue are fantastic – both the primal horror of Parasite’s being, as well as the glimpses into Superman’s mind we see later in the issue. Hawkman isn’t portrayed as villainous in this issue, but he’s definitely a great contrast to Superman’s worldview – one has given up on hope long ago, the other is determined not to let it be extinguished. Superman’s battle against Parasite’s control allows him to pull off his most heroic feat so far in this title – but also show that he can be highly intimidating when he needs to be. And in case you forgot about Lex Luthor and Brainiac in all this, we get a brief glimpse of what’s been going on with them at the end of the issue – and it wraps up the issue on an incredibly dark note that shows why this might be the most terrifying version of Brainiac. This series continues to be one of the absolute best on the stands right now, both incredibly new and true to the core of Superman.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes
