Absolute Superman #19 sees the continuation of the battle against King Shazam. So far Absolute King Shazam has been established as one of the most powerful characters we’ve seen in the Absolute Universe. He has been the first to challenge Absolute Superman in terms of pure power. The clash so far has not disappointed. Let’s see if that trend will continue with Absolute Superman #19.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Rafa Sandoval
Colorist: Ulises Arreola
Letterers: Becca Carey
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #19 SOLICITATION
“KING SHAZAM IS HERE TO SHATTER THE ABSOLUTE UNIVERSE! King Shazam has risen with a power unlike anything Superman has faced before. What connection does he have to Brainiac and the mysterious Father Box? Plus, another classic character has made their Absolute debut, though it remains to be seen if they’re a friend or foe of the Man of Steel…” – DC Comics
REVIEW
Absolute Superman #19 is another show of how Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval utilize the world they’ve built around Kal-El to create a sense of unpredictability. That unpredictability utilizes what has already happened to make the surprises not just be for shock value. This gives the actions and reactions Kal-El, King Shazam, Ra’s Al Ghul, and others have be what you expect them to be.
King Shazam is the Absolute Universe’s Wild Card
King Shazam has continued to make an impact since debuting in the Absolute Universe. Here we see King Shazam challenge the idea of what it means to be a superhero in the Absolute Universe. He makes a clear argument of how those in power in the Absolute Universe stopped his utopia. Backing up his claim of being right by mentioning stopping slavery and other actions to stop bad people makes you understand him more.
At the same time, Aaron makes sure the tone that King Shazam takes is one that emphasizes his extreme authoritarian personality. That is further driven home by how Rafa Sandoval draws the character. Every action and word spoken by King Shazam is one blinded by his complete faith only he is right.
Which makes the brutality King Shazam is shown leaning into have an even bigger impact. He is not someone looking to make friends or hold back. He will do whatever it takes no matter against who it is.
Superman Superhero Ideals Tested
With how Aaron and Sandoval develop King Shazam’s character an even bigger spotlight is placed on Absolute Superman’s methods. King Shazam is everything Absolute Superman could be if he didn’t hold back. They are even shown on the same tier of power. But unlike King Shazam, Absolute Superman does have his moral compass that makes him the good person he is constantly shown to be.
This makes King Shazam’s actions in killing Ra’s Al Ghul hit harder. Absolute Superman made sure that he did not kill Ra’s Al Ghul so the Lazarus Corporation leader answered for his crimes. King Shazam doesn’t see things that way as even when Ra’s Al Ghul pleads his case, he is still killed.
This action puts an even bigger target on Absolute Superman. And not just from Talia Al Ghul in her new quest for revenge. We have an example of what someone in Absolute Superman’s power level can do. And with his battle against King Shazam stretching across the globe there will be even bigger challenges to come Absolute Superman’s way to test his superhero ideals.
Absolute Steel Enters Fatal Four-Way Match
The opening of Absolute Superman #19 is dedicated to digging into Absolute John Henry Irons backstory. Here we learn that John Henry Irons was the one who originally created the Absolute Peacemaker tech and had it stolen from him. Tying John Henry Irons to the first story arc of the series was a great way to get fans to back his character.
This backstory gives a better context as to why this was the time to debut John Henry Irons as Absolute Steel. He has that motivation to finally step up and be the superhero he was meant to be. And like Absolute Superman, we see that Absolute Steel is a good person at his core.
That all makes having Absolute Steel join the fight Absolute Superman, King Shazam, and Hawkman have even more interesting. This is going to be Absolute Steel’s first big battle, and he is arguably up against the three strongest characters in the Absolute Universe. How exactly he can keep up, much less survive will be interesting to see.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Absolute Superman #19 is the best chapter of the “Reign of the Superman” story arc thus far. There is so much that goes on in this issue that impacts all players involved in this Absolute Superman vs King Shazam clash. The major actions King Shazam takes in particular could have a big impact on the power balance in the Absolute Universe.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10
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