Has Absolute Superman finally met his match? Writer Jason Aaron and artist Rafa Sandoval have set him up with his biggest threat yet as King Shazam is unleashed upon the world. Clark spends the entire issue on the defensive, and even with the help of Absolute Steel and Hawkman, he may not be enough to put a stop to this formidable new opponent.
Title: Absolute Superman #19
Creatives: Jason Aaron (Writer), Rafa Sandoval (Artist), Ulises Arreola (Colorist), Becca Carey (Letterer)
Characters: Superman (Clark), Absolute Steel, Hawkman, Ra’s Al Ghul
Villain: King Shazam, Black Adam
Format: Ongoing Series
Our Rating: 9/10 Stars
King Shazam Battles the Man of Steel
King Shazam certainly knows how to make an impression. It only takes five pages before he attacks Superman, effortlessly punching him eleven hundred miles away. Sandoval uses Clark’s body to carve a trench through the landscape, with rocky debris and bits of Sol kicking up all around him. Steel remarks that Superman’s mind and muscles may operate at a speed far beyond what people thought possible, but even he couldn’t see that punch coming.
It’s not long before Shazam demands answers for how long he’s been imprisoned. Ra’s Al Ghul attempts to calm him, emphasizing that Superman has changed his views and given him hope for the world. Seeing Ra’s genuinely inspired by Superman has been one of this arc’s greatest triumphs, which is why it’s so shocking when Shazam coldly executes the reformed villain.
This causes Superman to fight back. He slams into Shazam on a stunning double-page spread, with Sandoval using a wide shot to render the destruction their impact sends through Lazarus’s headquarters. Motion lines spread across each floor, showing explosive force, while letterer Becca Carey punctuates the action with a classic KADADDA-KOOOOM sound effect. It’s the most exciting opener to a fight in a series full of intense battles.
Why Superman Is Special
Aaron continues to analyze the importance of Superman. Black Adam represents a twisted version of our hero. He’s angry, confused, and determined to rule the Earth. The opinions of others don’t matter because he alone knows what’s best. It’s a stark contrast from Clark, who just wants to help people and make the world a better place. It will be fascinating to see if Superman can inspire him the same way he did with Ra’s.
How Do Ulises Arreola’s Colors Improve This Issue?
This is a bleak issue, with colorist Ulises Arreola leaning fully into Shazam’s darkness to dominate the proceedings. The villain’s color scheme bleeds across the pages, wrapping every panel in sinister blacks and ominous purples that give it an apocalyptic feel. Bright yellow lightning erupts from Shazam’s body, cutting through the gloom to batter the Man of Steel. The sheer beauty of the battle makes the destruction almost forgettable.
Verdict: Should you buy Absolute Superman #19?
Ultimately, Absolute Superman #19 shows us something truly rare. Superman is finally clashing with an equal. Aaron wisely positions King Shazam as a corrupted Clark, determined to rule no matter the cost, and Ra’s pays the price for that ambition. Superman is in for his greatest challenge yet. Let’s hope he makes it through in one piece.
‘Absolute Superman’ #19 Review: There Is No Controlling King Shazam
Absolute Superman #19 shows us something truly rare. Superman is finally clashing with an equal. Aaron wisely positions King Shazam as a corrupted Clark, determined to rule no matter the cost, and Ra’s pays the price for that ambition. Superman is in for his greatest challenge yet. Let’s hope he makes it through in one piece.
