Absolute Superman #16
Scheduled to arrive in stores: February 4, 2026
Cover date: April 2026
“The Never Ending Battle Begins” – Part 2: “This Universe will break your heart, kid”
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artists: Juan Ferreyra
Cover: Rafa Sandoval and Ulises Arreola
Variant Covers: Gerald Parel, Inhyuk Lee, Mahmud Asrar and Alejandro Sanchez
Reviewed by: Craig Boehmer
In 1940 Carter Hall is betrayed on an archaeological dig by someone paid off by the Nazis. He is able to retrieve the power of Hawkman and defeat the traitor becoming superpowered. In the present he is talking to Superman about the superpowered community. In the midst of the conversation, Superman continues to fly off to save people. Hawkman reveals that he needs to learn to work with Lazarus Corp, like he does, if he wants to survive. This prompts a conflict between them leading to Hawkman taunting Superman about his lack of training.
Meanwhile the government is confiscating all Lazarus Corp property, Talia orders her Peacemakers to stop them from raiding their labs. In the ensuing firefight a crate is broken, unleashing a symbiotic type parasite. On the other side of the city, Lois is looking for the Daily Planet, and finds it in a decrepit building across the street from the original Daily Planet building, which is now full of condos. She meets Perry White leaving the building who has just been laid off, replaced by Jimmy Olsen as the Metro Desk Editor.
Lois then sees Superman and Hawkman’s fight lead them to a fight against the now giant Parasite.
In the Epilogue Brainiac, in a human disguise, visits Lex and offers him a very lucrative job. Lex, declines the offer, stating his family is more important than wealth and doesn’t want to be taken away from them. Brainiac transforms to Brainiac and states that he has seen worlds where Lex reaches his full potential, and that he will help Lex reach it now. He then begins to terrorize Lex’s gathered family.
Story – 5: These last two issues have increased my enjoyment of this book. And I was already really enjoying this book. We have finally reached the point where Superman’s world is expanding. The introductions of Hawkman, Parasite, and Luthor have created some very exciting directions for the story. Positioning Hawkman as a potential mentor for Superman, but a mentor that is influenced by Lazarus Corp, is amazing. I can’t wait to see their relationship unfold. I especially liked Hawkman’s accurate belittlement of Superman’s lack of fighting skills, and I hope we get some training in the future. I don’t know how I feel about Lois and Jimmy so quickly reaching their status quo of Daily Planet employees after the last saga, but I am willing to let it play out.Art – 5: Juan has been an amazing addition to the Absolute Superman title. While some faces still look odd, his overall page layout, choreography, and character design raise this work up. I love his design for this Hawkman, the bandaged face, giant wings, and menacing mace add a great cool factor to the character. The Parasite monster looks so grotesque and massive. Even Brainiac’s confrontation with the Luthors provides a slight change to the character’s look.Cover Art – 5: This is a fantastic cover showcasing the conflict between Hawkman and Superman. Setting both of the figures against the orange skyline allows the dark colors of Hawkman, and the blue of Superman, to really pop on the shelf.
Variant Cover Art – 3: A fine image.Variant Cover Art – 3: Similar to cover B, where the image is just fine.
Variant Cover Art – 4: Very cool image of Superman shooting forward.
Check out the Mild Mannered Reviews contents page.
