Absolute Superman #12 Review: A Brutal, Psychological Masterpiece
When you pick up a comic titled Absolute Superman, you expect power. What you might not expect is the raw, psychological horror and deep emotional turmoil that writer Jason Aaron and artist Rafa Sandoval deliver in Absolute Superman #12. This isn't just another story of Superman punching a villain; it's a profound deconstruction of the man, his trauma, and his place in the world. This issue, titled "All In," pushes Kal-El to his breaking point and sets the stage for an unforgettable confrontation. This spoiler-filled review will break down every shocking moment.
A War on Two Fronts: Brainiac's Mind Games and Ra's al Ghul's Crusade
From the very first pages, it's clear that the primary conflict is not with a physical enemy, but with an internal one. The issue opens with a genuinely chilling scene at a Smallville nursing home, where Martha Kent is suffering from dementia. In a moment of clarity, she sees a "red storm" and believes her son has returned, only to have her mind slip away again. The scene takes a terrifying turn when her face twists into a demonic visage, suggesting she is possessed by a malevolent force.
This "red storm" is revealed to be Kal-El himself, who is fighting a losing battle against Brainiac's influence. The villain has burrowed deep into Superman's mind, attempting to corrupt him into seeing his loved ones as instruments of destruction. This internal war manifests as a vortex of unstable red energy, requiring the intervention of the AI Sol—a Kryptonian entity designed to control the sun—to prevent a catastrophic meltdown. This brilliant opening establishes that while Ra's al Ghul may be the final boss, Brainiac has already poisoned the battlefield.
The Scars of the Past: Superman's Painful Journey
To understand Superman's current fragile state, Jason Aaron takes us back five years. We see a broken Kal-El living in self-imposed exile in a volcano, haunted by past failures. Here, we learn more about Sol, the AI created by his mother, who acts as a nagging, logical, and constant companion trying to pull him from his depression. Their dynamic is a highlight, showcasing a vulnerable Superman we rarely see.
Sol's guidance leads Kal-El to the Philippines, where he attempts to live a simple life among humans. This ends in disaster. His powers, supercharged and made unstable by the sun, cause him to accidentally burn a farmer with a simple handshake. The incident draws the attention of the 'Peacemakers', an armed force. In his attempt to defend the innocent civilians, his wild power unintentionally snaps a soldier's arm, casting him as a monster in the eyes of the very people he tried to connect with. This traumatic failure is the root of his current fear and instability.
The Birth of a New Fortress and The Hope of Smallville
Fleeing from his failure, Kal-El retreats to a snowy mountain, overwhelmed with guilt. This guilt is amplified by the use of 'Lazarus' technology on his victims, which triggers a painful memory of his father's death. At his lowest point, Sol attempts to manipulate him with projections of his Kryptonian parents. In a powerful moment of defiance, Kal-El rejects the AI's cold logic, choosing to face his pain alone. This emotional outburst unleashes a massive explosion of energy, creating a sharp, aggressive, red crystal Fortress of Solitude—a perfect symbol of his current state of suffering and isolation.
This bleakness is contrasted by a truly heartwarming sequence featuring Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. Arriving in Smallville with no money, they find not hostility, but a community of supporters who know of Superman's good deeds. They are offered food and shelter by the waitress, who reveals herself to be Lana Lang. This re-establishes Superman's deep connection to humanity and proves that even in his darkest hour, he is not alone.
The Final Stand: Ra's al Ghul's Twisted "Redemption"
The story culminates at the Kent farm. Kal-El returns, finally at peace with himself. He reconciles with Sol, calling the AI his "brother," and, in a pivotal moment, rejects the "Superman" mantle to introduce himself by his birth name: "Kal-El of Krypton."
But this peace is shattered by the reveal of the final threat. Ra's al Ghul is on his way, and he isn't coming for a simple fight. His diabolical plan is to terrorize Smallville, to burn it to the ground, and to hurt everyone Kal-El loves. His goal is to enrage Kal-El so completely that he is forced to kill Ra's. In Ra's' twisted view, this act of murder will be a "redemption" that finally unleashes Kal-El's true, god-like power. The comic ends on a massive cliffhanger, with a full-page spread of Ra's' massive Lazarus army—tanks, mechs, and helicopters—marching on the town, setting up the "Smallville Under Siege" event.
Absolute Superman #12 is a phenomenal issue. Jason Aaron's writing provides a level of psychological depth that is both refreshing and heartbreaking, while Rafa Sandoval's art captures the epic scale of the action and the raw emotion of the characters perfectly. It is a must-read for any DC Comics fan.