Absolute Superman #10: Moral Test as Al Ghuls Target Kal-El
Absolute Superman: The Beast Within the Battle
The latest chapter of DC's "Absolute Superman" plunges the Man of Steel into a brutal confrontation that tests his very core, forcing him to confront the harsh legacy of his Kryptonian past and the brutal realities of his present. The narrative weaves between intense action on Earth and formative memories from Krypton, painting a complex picture of heroism under fire.
A Lazarus Corps base in Greenland turns into a battlefield deep beneath the surface of the planet. Jimmy Olsen, accused of terrorism with the Omega Men, is detained. Director Ra's al Ghul, orchestrating events from the shadows, arrives with the chilling intellect of Brainiac 419. Their goal is audacious: not to break Superman, but to make him "whole," stronger than ever. Ra's exploits the Arctic environment, where the sun won't rise for weeks, hoping to strategically deplete Superman's solar reserves during the inevitable fight. He unleashes his forces, including the augmented Captain Smith – Peacemaker – armed with devastating Kryptonian-tech weaponry, including bullets forged from the remnants of Krypton itself.
As Superman arrives, chaos erupts. Lazarus Corps soldiers are effortlessly neutralized, dragged screaming into the night – not killed, but incapacitated and scattered. This restraint frustrates Ra's, who desires a more brutal display. He orders Phase Two, escalating the conflict. Simultaneously, Omega Men operatives breach the facility, attempting to free Jimmy, leading to internal skirmishes. Lois Lane gets caught in the crossfire because she is so protective of Jimmy.
Captain Smith, driven by past failures and direct orders, becomes Superman's primary physical opponent. Clad in painfully integrated alien armor making him Earth's most powerful human, Smith attacks relentlessly. Yet, against the Last Son of Krypton, it's a hopeless struggle. Superman defeats Smith decisively in seconds. Standing over the broken soldier, Superman grapples with immense power and profound choice. He considers permanent solutions – crippling Smith, ending his life – options readily available to him. The temptation to eliminate this murderer, this threat, is palpable, especially as Talia al Ghul arrives, demanding Superman finish Smith off.
Echoes of Krypton: This moment triggers a powerful flashback for Kal-El. Years ago on Krypton, his father, Jor-El, led a rescue deep in the unstable Redlands. They discovered survivors trapped by a sudden, unprecedented attack from Magmoles – fearsome subterranean beasts driven from their depths by unknown disturbances, scared and ravenous. Faced with their mindless rage and teeth capable of chewing sunstone, Jor-El made a grim decision: fight to kill. He saved the miners, but confessed to young Kal that it wasn't the "right" thing, merely necessary. He warned his son about the seductive nature of cruelty, even when survival demands harsh actions. "Sometimes we have to be the cruel ones," Jor-El admitted, "if that’s what it takes... to keep all of this from going away."
The Last Beast: Back in the present, Superman rejects Talia's demand and his own darker impulses. He declares he is not the miner with the lava gun forced into a brutal choice. He is something else entirely – "the last beast in the mine," the sole survivor of a world extinguished. He chooses not to kill Smith, prioritizing his father's wisdom about avoiding unnecessary cruelty, even amidst violence. This act of perceived mercy enrages Talia, who denounces him as a coward, unworthy of the Superman mantle.
The confrontation reaches its climax as Ra's al Ghul himself enters. He attempts to sway Superman, addressing him as "son," offering shared righteous anger as a gift to remake the world. Superman defiantly rejects the connection: "Not your son." Ra's, unfazed, declares Superman not yet worthy of being a "Child of Al Ghul," but promises he and Talia will teach him. As Talia viciously subdues Lois and the Omega Men forces falter, Superman lies defeated, looking up at Ra's and Talia. The Al Ghuls have secured Jimmy Olsen as their prisoner, their plan unfolding, leaving Superman physically beaten and facing an uncertain, ominous future under their tutelage. The beast in the mine has been captured, but the true battle for his soul is just beginning.