Phillip Creary May 7, 2025

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Behind Lazarus Corp’s worldwide power lies a dark secret: an alien being known only as “Brainiac.” However, questions loom: Who or what is Absolute Brainiac, and why is he so fixated on Superman? After six issues of build-up, Jason Aaron and Carmine Di Giandomenico’s Absolute Superman #7 begins to shed light on these pressing questions!

Absolute Superman #7 plunges us into the nightmarish origin story for Absolute Brainiac, revealing him as a truly horrifying villain. The issue opens with a brutal assault on Brainiac’s desert compound, showcasing gruesome body horror through Carmine Di Giandomenico’s unflinching art as the Omega Men are thoroughly dispatched. We then see Brainiac in his lab, casually destroying a bottled world in a fit of anger when they fail to yield information about his elusive Superman. A flashback reveils a young Brainiac within a collective, forced to dispose of “dead” counterparts, an existence that crumbles after a near-fatal attack. This trauma, along with his job of shoveling filth, fuels his descent into madness and his ascent to freedom, setting him on his path to becoming a terrifying force. The issue culminates in major revelations and the foreshadowing of a dangerous iconic enemy for Superman.

Credit: DC Comics

Jason Aaron and Carmine Di Giandomenico’s Absolute Superman #7 delivers a masterclass in crafting a truly terrifying villain. Brainiac’s origin story here is exceptionally dark, depicting a character born into filth who ultimately embodies it, showcasing one of the most compelling descents into villainy.

His terrifying nature is immediately evident. Look no further than his choice of bio-weapons as his primary means of attack. This decision powerfully showcases his creative cruelty and inherent evil, instantly establishing him as a formidable opponent for Superman. Brainiac’s depravity is also clear in his threats, describing horrors like turning air into acid, boiling people alive, and starving them to the point of considering cannibalizing their children. It’s a disturbingly effective introduction by the creative team.

The comic also skillfully escalates the terror. Just as Brainiac appears to possess insurmountable allies, he simultaneously gains the ability to harm Superman, significantly building tension and raising the stakes. This unease is amplified by Di Giandomenico’s fantastic art. His detailed, visceral, and raw style makes Brainiac’s alien and profoundly terrifying nature palpable. The villain’s compelling design, featuring an exposed brain, a partially missing body, and an appearance that screams of immense, seemingly self-inflicted suffering, further cements this horrifying presence.

This issue also marks a notable moment in the Absolute Universe, as it’s the first to reference another title, which have significant implications for the still-developing Green Lantern lore.

Credit: DC Comics

Ulises Arreola’s strategic use of purple throughout this issue is striking, especially against Brainiac’s lime green skin, a choice that amplifies the villain’s menace. Becca Carey’s lettering is equally impressive. Brainiac’s black and purple thought bubbles powerfully convey angst, while emotive onomatopoeia like STOMP, SQUISH, and the creatively rendered SKRTCH vividly depict his cruelty and add another layer of emotion to the artwork.

Absolute Superman #7 masterfully redefines Brainiac as a truly terrifying and compelling villain, a transformation vividly brought to life by Carmine Di Giandomenico’s visceral and unsettling artwork. The issue further builds suspense with major reveals and strengthens its ties to the broader Absolute Universe. If you’re not already reading Absolute Superman, now is the perfect time to start!

Phillip Creary May 7, 2025

• Facebook
• X
• Reddit
• Instagram

Behind Lazarus Corp’s worldwide power lies a dark secret: an alien being known only as “Brainiac.” However, questions loom: Who or what is Absolute Brainiac, and why is he so fixated on Superman? After six issues of build-up, Jason Aaron and Carmine Di Giandomenico’s Absolute Superman #7 begins to shed light on these pressing questions!

Absolute Superman #7 plunges us into the nightmarish origin story for Absolute Brainiac, revealing him as a truly horrifying villain. The issue opens with a brutal assault on Brainiac’s desert compound, showcasing gruesome body horror through Carmine Di Giandomenico’s unflinching art as the Omega Men are thoroughly dispatched. We then see Brainiac in his lab, casually destroying a bottled world in a fit of anger when they fail to yield information about his elusive Superman. A flashback reveils a young Brainiac within a collective, forced to dispose of “dead” counterparts, an existence that crumbles after a near-fatal attack. This trauma, along with his job of shoveling filth, fuels his descent into madness and his ascent to freedom, setting him on his path to becoming a terrifying force. The issue culminates in major revelations and the foreshadowing of a dangerous iconic enemy for Superman.

Credit: DC Comics

Jason Aaron and Carmine Di Giandomenico’s Absolute Superman #7 delivers a masterclass in crafting a truly terrifying villain. Brainiac’s origin story here is exceptionally dark, depicting a character born into filth who ultimately embodies it, showcasing one of the most compelling descents into villainy.

His terrifying nature is immediately evident. Look no further than his choice of bio-weapons as his primary means of attack. This decision powerfully showcases his creative cruelty and inherent evil, instantly establishing him as a formidable opponent for Superman. Brainiac’s depravity is also clear in his threats, describing horrors like turning air into acid, boiling people alive, and starving them to the point of considering cannibalizing their children. It’s a disturbingly effective introduction by the creative team.

The comic also skillfully escalates the terror. Just as Brainiac appears to possess insurmountable allies, he simultaneously gains the ability to harm Superman, significantly building tension and raising the stakes. This unease is amplified by Di Giandomenico’s fantastic art. His detailed, visceral, and raw style makes Brainiac’s alien and profoundly terrifying nature palpable. The villain’s compelling design, featuring an exposed brain, a partially missing body, and an appearance that screams of immense, seemingly self-inflicted suffering, further cements this horrifying presence.

This issue also marks a notable moment in the Absolute Universe, as it’s the first to reference another title, which have significant implications for the still-developing Green Lantern lore.

Credit: DC Comics

Ulises Arreola’s strategic use of purple throughout this issue is striking, especially against Brainiac’s lime green skin, a choice that amplifies the villain’s menace. Becca Carey’s lettering is equally impressive. Brainiac’s black and purple thought bubbles powerfully convey angst, while emotive onomatopoeia like STOMP, SQUISH, and the creatively rendered SKRTCH vividly depict his cruelty and add another layer of emotion to the artwork.

Absolute Superman #7 masterfully redefines Brainiac as a truly terrifying and compelling villain, a transformation vividly brought to life by Carmine Di Giandomenico’s visceral and unsettling artwork. The issue further builds suspense with major reveals and strengthens its ties to the broader Absolute Universe. If you’re not already reading Absolute Superman, now is the perfect time to start!