Absolute Superman #17
Scheduled to arrive in stores: March 4, 2026
Cover date: May 2026
“The Never Ending Battle Begins” – Finale: “All Together Now”
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artists: Juan Ferreyra
Cover: Rafa Sandoval and Ulises Arreola
Variant Covers: Gerald Parel, Riley Rossmo, Mira Andolfo
Reviewed by: Craig Boehmer
As Parasite takes captures more and more Metropolitans, Superman and Hawkman debate how to take it down. Hawkman wants to destroy it, but that would kill all those already captured. Superman wants to find a better way that would save the people. He learns, through rescuing Lois Lane, that Parasite has mentally captured the people in their worst terrors. He reaches out to each person caught and gives them the hope to overcome their terrors, releasing them from Parasite’s power. Hawkman is captured by Parasite as well, and while Superman rescues him he delivers a warning to Lazarus Corps. He tells him that he doesn’t sleep, his senses stretch for miles, he is as powerful as the sun, and he is coming for them. He then takes Parasite, an alien, and states to Lois that he will build a fortress to contain it until he can get it back to its home.
Using Parasite as a planned distraction, Talia rescues Ra’s from prison. At first, remembering all that Superman has said to him, Ra’s is reluctant to go, but concedes to his daughter and leaves. The epilogue has Brainiac force Luthor to watch as he butchers his family. Brainiac then leaves him there, hopeful that Luthor will achieve his potential.
Story – 3: This wraps up a very quick Parasite story. I really enjoyed the portion that focuses on Parasite, Hawkman, and Superman. It was an engaging adventure that showed two very different heroes working together and their inevitable disagreements.
I did not like Ra’s being rescued, I enjoyed his story, but was happy to be done with him and off to other characters. His rescue makes me worried that Lazarus is going to be the ongoing bad guys for the whole series, which will really grind down the enjoyment of the series. I hated the epilogue of Brainiac and Luthor, it felt unnecessarily grim-dark even for this series. My only hope, with both of my gripes, is that Luthor rises up and works with Superman to topple Lazarus Corp.
Art – 3: I didn’t find the art as strong in this issue. There are some gorgeous panels, but the consistency panel to panel was not as high as in previous issues.
Cover Art – 5: This is a fun cover that highlights the potential threat of this universe’s Parasite.
Variant Cover Art – 5: This is my favourite cover of the bunch. Showcasing Superman’s family in the cape as he rushes to earth is awesome.
Variant Cover Art – 4: This one is a fine cover, his thighs look way too thick though. I like the addition of the doves of peace.
Variant Cover Art – 2: The color changes on the suit to invoke a more Kingdom Come look are really cool. But is face looks off, and the face is one of the central focuses of the image, its distracting.
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