Absolute Superman Issue #13 2025 Review: Brainiac's Shocking Twist
The Creative Team
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Rafa Sandoval
Colorist: Ulises Arreola
Letterer: Becca Carey
Editor: Chris Conroy
Editor-in-Chief: Marie Javins
War Comes to Smallville
Absolute Superman #13 is a stellar, breathtaking issue that perfectly balances high-stakes action with deeply personal character development. Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, and Ulises Arreola throw us directly into the fire as war comes to Smallville, and the result is one of the most compelling chapters of this series yet.
The issue opens six weeks in the past, with Lazarus tanks rolling down Main Street. In a powerful moment of defiance, the town's inhabitants, adhering to their motto, "Ad Astra per Aspera" (Through Hardship to the Stars), grab their rifles to confront the invaders head-on. Before they are annihilated, Superman arrives, single-handedly upending the tanks.
This issue drives home how Aaron is tying Smallville's motto directly to Kal-El's journey. This is a man who has endured immense hardship and is finally finding his place on Earth—a place he is now willing to fight for.
The Heart of the Resistance
What follows is a masterclass in tactical storytelling. Superman makes a critical decision, overriding the programming of his cape, Sol. He tasks the sentient crystal with fortifying Smallville, declaring, "My parents are dead. Smallville isn't." It's a powerful statement of his shifting priorities.
Meanwhile, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen become the brains of the resistance, training the townspeople on the Peacemaker armor's weaknesses. On the other side, Ra's al Ghul proves his vicious efficiency, ordering carpet bombings of ranches and cornfields, cutting power, and blockading highways—all in an effort to draw Superman out.
In the present, Lois and Jimmy fall perfectly into their classic journalist roles. They broadcast from the Smallville public studio, using a satellite dish created by Sol to reveal Lazarus's atrocities—including concentration camps—to the world. It's a fantastic evolution for Lois, who has transformed from a Lazarus supporter into a true freedom fighter, refusing to have her truths silenced.
A Man of Two Worlds
The issue is packed with incredible character moments. Five weeks prior, we see the tunnels Superman dug for the people of Smallville, using his family's Kryptonian mining skills. It's a beautiful thematic inversion: on Krypton, the mines were deadly, but here, Kal has transformed that legacy into one of protection and safety.
It's in these tunnels that two of the issue's best scenes unfold:
Lois and Cal: Cal admits he'll never be one of them but finds Lois "disarming" and "scarier" than others, precisely because she isn't afraid of him. He's experiencing complex emotions he doesn't understand, a fascinating and vulnerable take on the early "Superman and Lois" dynamic.
Jed Cochran: The man who reported Cal to Lazarus all those years ago approaches him to apologize. Cal’s internal narration is raw; he thinks of breaking the man's bones, of burning him alive. But he stops himself. In a powerful display of his growing heroism, he shakes Jed's hand and puts him on guard duty, telling him the people in the tunnels are his family now. It's a stunning showcase of how far Kal has come.
The Twist and The Cliffhanger
As the issue rockets toward its conclusion, Superman is visibly weakening. Lazarus has created storms to block out the sun, and the hero is running on fumes. He's exhausted, but as Lois notes, "Lazarus doesn't sleep, so neither does Superman."
And then, the hammer falls.
Sol's crystals suddenly begin to shatter. The cape apologizes to Cal as his systems are infiltrated and overwhelmed. The shield turns purple, and Brainiac reveals he has taken over Sol, a devastating twist that hits Cal in his most sensitive spot, taking away his last "family member."
As Superman, heartbroken, begins smashing the crystals, he's blasted by Lazarus tanks infused with power from a "God Box." Doubt creeps in as he's beaten down, believing he should have stayed hidden. Talia al Ghul hits him with another shell, allowing Ra's al Ghul to stand over the fallen hero.
In a moment of pure, comic-book glory, Ra's reveals a giant kryptonite buster sword and delivers a classic line: "Kneel before me."
The Verdict
Absolute Superman #13 is a perfect issue. Jason Aaron continues to explore an out-of-his-depth Superman without ever falling into mopey or detached tropes. This Kal-El is a hero defined by his actions, inspiring hope in a world literally designed to destroy it. The focus on the Smallville resistance gives the story weight, and the character beats for Lois, Jimmy, and Cal are all earned and impactful.
This is a story about finding your place, your people, and the strength to fight for them. What a phenomenal read.
Final Score: 10/10