REVIEW: Absolute Superman #21

Superman is prepared to put his life on the line to stop King Shazam in ‘Absolute Superman #21’, “Reign of the Superman, Finale: Moon Fall.” Writer Jason Aaron brings the clash from Earth to the moon alongside artist Rafa Sandoval, colorist Ulises Arreola, breakdown artist Zander Cannon and letterer Becca Carey. Together, the creative team delivers an earth-shattering conclusion that never loses sight of the heart behind the spectacle.

Superman has faced several powerful opponents throughout the first 20 issues, but no matter how desperate the situation became, he continued trying to save lives, minimize destruction and reach whatever goodness remained inside his enemies. Ra’s al Ghul, Parasite and even Hawkman have been affected by Superman’s compassion, kindness and love for all beings. King Shazam, however, carries 3,000 years of pent-up anger, frustration and madness that even Superman may not be able to penetrate.

Before discussing their explosive confrontation, the issue’s covers deserve attention. Sandoval and Arreola’s standard cover presents Absolute Superman as the last hero standing while Steel, Hawkman and Shazam lie among the rubble of a devastated city. Superman’s suit is torn in several places, but he triumphantly raises Steel’s hammer overhead as lightning courses through it and streaks across the sky. The imagery suggests that Kal-El has proven himself worthy not because he possesses incredible power, but because he refuses to surrender his principles.

Jerome Opeña’s variant strips the scene down to Superman alone, viewed from a dramatic low angle as his cape coils around him like a warning. His glowing eyes, clenched fist and solar-lit forearms give him an appearance of barely contained power. This is not a Superman looking for a fight, but one fully prepared to finish it.

Marguerite Sauvage takes a more symbolic approach, placing an exhausted but defiant Superman before an enormous version of his shield. The orange and gold splashes surrounding him evoke solar energy, as though he is drawing strength from the sun before confronting King Shazam. It is quieter than the other covers, but it communicates Superman’s resilience just as powerfully.

Together, the covers capture Superman’s unbreakable will to protect life and stand against evil without compromising the values that make him a hero. There is also a variant cover available by Gabriel Walta.

Sandoval’s finished art, Cannon’s breakdowns, Arreola’s colors and Carey’s lettering combine to make Superman and King Shazam’s battle feel monumental. Every punch carries weight, every collision appears catastrophic and the escalating destruction communicates just how dangerous this confrontation has become.

With Absolute Batman now being developed as an adult animated series, it is difficult not to imagine Absolute Superman receiving the same treatment. Many of this series’ most memorable sequences already feel designed for animation or live action. Sandoval and Cannon provide the cinematic visual language, while Aaron’s scripts supply the action, emotion and character development necessary to bring this world to another medium. Although the battle moves at incredible speed, Aaron never allows the action to overwhelm the story. One of the issue’s strongest moments takes place over communicators between Lois, Jimmy and Superman. What Kal asks of them is moving and reveals exactly what makes him truly super.

The thoughts, decisions and actions of nearly everyone who has encountered Superman have been changed by him. Aaron continues demonstrating that Kal is more than a powerful hero with a good heart. He is a symbol of hope capable of bringing the hope and goodness out of others—even though there are some people he may never be able to reach. The final pages also leave Superman—and readers—facing an intriguing new direction involving King Shazam and some very familiar beings.

(10/10) Absolute Superman #21 is a powerful conclusion to another excellent story arc and an imaginative reinterpretation of the name Shazam. From Superman’s contingency plan in case he does not survive to the pivotal choices made by Jimmy Olsen and Hawkman, the issue delivers meaningful payoffs alongside the breathtaking action that has made this series consistently compelling.