Jason Aaron is one of the most creative writers in all of comics. He always finds a way to take characters and do two things: He will make them original and unforgettable. In the case of Absolute Superman’s Brainiac, he did it again. But he also made him something that will haunt your nightmares.
Absolute Superman No. 7 creative team
- Writer: Jason Aaron
- Artists: Carmine Di Giandomenico and Rafa Sandoval
- Colorist: Ulises Arreola Palomera
The story begins with a four-person team of freedom fighters from the Omega Men. They hoped that they could find something to take down the Lazarus Corp. Sadly, they only found pain and worse at the hands of Brainiac.
The first of the Omega Men screamed in pain as his skin shrank off his body, leaving the next layer of his body exposed. The second fell and said that it felt like he didn’t have muscles. Number three puked up blood and his bones. Finally, the fourth: His hand grew to the size of a person as weird spiked balls attacked his body. Then, Brainiac steps out of the shadows, waiting to experiment on his newest test subject. Brainiac hoped that he’d help him solve the puzzle of who Superman was and where he came from.
Adding to this horrific scene is Brainiac’s image. He walks on two metal appendages that look like a horse's hind legs. His lack of lips leaves his mouth appearing like a permanent smile, while not having eyelids makes him look like he’s constantly shocked. Adding to the horror is that Brainiac does not have a top to his head, leaving his brain exposed. You see all of this as he calmly explains what he’s done to the freedom fighters and thinks about the time the sun will rise and the day's temperature.
If your thoughts are “WHAT THE WHAT?!” then go with that feeling. This is what bad dreams are made of. You only see this kind of sight in Hellraiser or a messed-up episode of Rick and Morty. Having it be the first part of a comic book is something else. However, it made sure you knew what to expect from this villain going forward. Brainiac is not to be messed with because he’s clearly insane, and his knack for creative deaths is something that will be repeated.
The savagery doesn't end there, either. At the end of the issue, he is talking to Peacemaker Christopher Smith (the one who's been highlighted throughout this series). Smith is on the operating table, screaming in pain as he's being experimented on. The last thing readers see is Lex Luthor-like green and purple armor with kryptonite bullets.
We could be looking at the first look of Absolute Metallo, and he will be terrifying. Brainiac won’t be creating this abomination in hopes of making him appear appealing. It will be all about function, leaving something that would make Jason Voorhees blush. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow to find out what that is.
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