ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #19 (DC COMICS)
All hail the King!
A force unlike anything the Absolute Universe has seen thus far has been unleashed. King Shazam has been unlocked from his prison. Forgiveness isn’t in his nature. This message is very clear to The Al Ghuls and Superman. They know a problem when they see one.
Another factor they do not see coming is a man with a big hammer. He is no Norse God. This man has a heart of STEEL.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #19 by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola & Becca Carey continues an all new “Reign Of The Supermen”.
Let’s take a deeper dive into the chaos unleashed.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #19 by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola& Becca Carey (DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Aaron gives the King a proper introduction into this unstable universe. Before that begins, the writing puts another character into the spotlight. John Henry Irons gets a very grounded exploration into his character. The tone is blunt and direct. There’s no room to get lines crossed. Irons has an axe to grind and has no use swinging for the fences. The same can be said for Shazam. It does not take him long to make his Prescence felt. One punch drops an exclamation point on his general perspective.
The story takes a more shocking turn than anyone might see coming. Ra’s Al Ghul showing actual fear screams at the readers of what has been unlocked. His words to Talia transcends the Superman influence. It literally takes on a whole deeper meaning. The fallout is a game-changer. Ramifications continue to spiral in new avenues. This leads into a very complicated final act. Superman’s attempts to reason fall short of goal. Readers watch as this sparks another round of action. Once it lands, the story adds in a few more ingredients, leaving on a strong final note. To say there are moving parts here is an understatement.
READ LAST ISSUE’S REVIEW HERE!
Sandoval and Arreola open with a subtle look at Irons in his everyday life. The mood is calm but shows his gruff demeaner in processing the past. Once events speed into the present, one character dominates the pages he is on. Shazam enters with a near full shot. Arreola’s coloring makes his stature imposing. This leads into a fun round of action. A full page image shows the ramifications of one strike. It is an immediate attention grabber that escorts readers into his dangerous ways.
Shazam’s face-off with Al Ghul features the fear in the Demon Head’s face. This proves valid as a dark panel leaves a deadly aftermath. Even Superman’s half page save isn’t enough to help. The following two page splash is excellent to start the next round of combat. All the emotions in the room add more layers into the huge aftermath. This leads into a series of clashing color schemes fitting for the two powerful beings. Their fighting escalates to new levels. Another superb two-page spread highlights the earth-shattering pace they’re keeping. This starts the final act with another guest crashing the party. Their half page debut welcomes the head-turning final page. The full shot leaves readers on a solid landing before everything explodes next chapter.
FINAL POINT: 9.4
Long live the King! Superman’s latest adversary begins a dark path of rage in a brutal way. Arron steers the readers into the volatile fury of Shazam with ease. Sandoval and Arreola give the heavyweight figure a proper introduction with phenomenal art. This series just doesn’t miss on delivering excitement every time!
Let me know your thoughts on ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #19 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
