In Review: Absolute Superman (2024-) #18 – Reign of the Superman

Synopsis: “Reign of the Superman” kicks off here with the debut of not one but two Absolute Universe reinventions! The Battle of Kansas may have put the Lazarus Corporation into retreat, but it’s left behind some terrifying surprises in its hidden caches of weapons and world-ending secrets. The most dangerous of all? The sarcophagus of the legendary King Shazam! Don’t miss the start of a new epic that will change the hierarchy of power in the Absolute Universe!

The Story

This issue starts with a flashback to 3,000 years ago in ancient Egypt, where we meet a young slave boy by the name of Teth-Adam. He relates his story, speaking of the deaths of his mother, father, and brothers at the hands of cruel overseers. However, when the camp is visited by a stranger claiming that a saviour is coming, Teth-Adam decides to leave his life of drudgery behind and seek something better, praying to every god he can think of.

Out in the middle of the desert, his prayers are seemingly answered by none other than Brainiac.

Back in modern-day Metropolis, Jimmy Olsen is getting used to life at The Daily Planet, but begins to wonder where Lois is. He places a call to Superman to see if he knows. Suffice to say, Superman is just as much in the dark as Jimmy and reaches out to Lois, who is on a personal mission.

She reveals that she has tracked down the new headquarters of Lazarus Corporation and is looking to avenge the death of her father at the hands of Ra’s al Ghul.

While Lois is busy tracking them down, Talia has rescued Ra’s al Ghul from captivity and brought him to a temporary base to recuperate in a Lazarus Pit she has established there. However, Ra’s refuses and instead attempts to destroy the Pit. Talia is shocked by her father’s actions, as they are unlike the ruthless leader she once knew.

It would seem that Superman’s visits to him in prison have caused Ra’s to see the error of his ways.

Lois steps into the scene just in time to witness Talia expressing her disgust at what she perceives to be her father’s weakness. Taken aback, Lois hesitates as Talia goads her into shooting him.

Superman arrives just in time to intervene, but Talia is ready for him and unleashes some form of countermeasure that gets inside his head.

At this point, King Shazam rises from his sarcophagus, declaring himself to the Absolute Universe as its new ruler.

Artwork

Rafa Sandoval does some solid work throughout this issue with the artwork. I particularly liked the early pages set in ancient Egypt, where we follow the tragic story of Teth-Adam.

The sequence of panels in which Teth-Adam and the other slaves are visited by the mysterious stranger is especially dramatic, with a strong cinematic quality that really captures the eye. It’s the kind of storytelling that makes it easy for the mind’s eye to imagine it playing out in an animated film or even a full feature.

I also loved the final single-page splash, in which King Shazam announces himself.

Overall

A really strong issue with a fantastic origin story for King Shazam, which feels reminiscent of what we saw in the Black Adam movie in many ways, while still being different enough to stand on its own.

I’m looking forward to learning more about King Shazam, and it does make me wonder if Black Adam could end up being the good guy in this universe, assuming they choose to use the character at all.