DC Comics’ Absolute Superman just unleashed a whirlwind of pain, and Gotham’s Dark Knight would absolutely approve of it.
Absolute Superman #8 finds the titular hero and his unlikely allies, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, locked in dire combat with an army of Peacemakers led by the recently transformed Christopher Smith. When the latter gets the upper hand over his Kryptonian ally, the Man of Steel is forced to call for help. And, while any other Superman might do so by looking towards his fellow heroes, the only help this Man of Steel needs is that of his increasingly impressive suit’s razor-sharp Tornado Mode.
Absolute Superman #8
Image via DC Comics
Image via DC Comics
Image via DC Comics
Image via DC Comics
- Written by JASON AARON
- Art by RAFA SANDOVAL
- Colors by ULISES ARREOLA
- Letters by BECCA CAREY
- Main cover art by RAFA SANDOVAL & ULISES ARREOLA
- Variant covers by DAVID TALASKI, CLAYTON CRAIN, and JEFF SPOKES
In DC Comics’ Absolute Universe, the history of Krypton and Superman isn’t all that different from the origins fans already know, though what differences there are between them have proven to be indelible to the former’s overarching story. One of the biggest of these changes is the presence of the semi-sentient artificial intelligence that resides within Superman’s suit, Sol. Apart from offering Kal-El basic assistance, Sol is capable of transforming the suit itself as needed through the use of atomized Sunstone dust, which can take forms ranging from capes to shields to devastating spikes.
This Tornado Mode look is reminiscent of DC Comics’ Absolute Batman, who revealed a near-identical look of his own at the outset of his solo series. In Absolute Batman #1 by acclaimed writer Scott Snyder and artist Nick Dragotta, the titular hero unleashes a set of spikes from his armored Batsuit. These weren’t just available due to his gauntlets or cowl, either, but thanks to a series of built-in spikes lining his back and shoulders to provide an overtly lethal brand of defense.
Throughout the course of Absolute Superman, readers have gotten to know all-new versions of classic DC Comics characters, ranging from Lazarus Corp Agent Lois Lane to the enigmatic member of the Omega Men and superpowered freedom fighter that is Jimmy Olsen. Perhaps the most surprising change is that this Superman has no Lex Luthor to call his worst enemy. Instead, it is Ra’s al Ghul who fills that role in this Superman’s story, not to mention who lords over vast swathes of the planet itself thanks to his command over the legions of soldiers and near-infinite resources at Lazarus Corps’ disposal.
Absolute Superman #8 is on sale now from DC Comics.
Source: DC Comics
Superman
NAMEKal-El, Clark KentAliasSupermanFIRST APPAction Comics #1, 1938Created ByJerry Siegel, Joe ShusterPOWERSSuperhuman strength, speed, stamina, reflexes. Heat vision, X-ray Vision. Ice breath. FlightTEAMJustice League