Most of the new Absolute Universe heroes have been fighting their battle for Truth and Justice alone. While Kal-El of Krypton has Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane for support, he has yet to meet another superhero. That changes in Absolute Superman #18, which introduces a classic ally of the Man of Steel into the dark reality forged by Darkseid.
Written by Jason Aaron, with art by Rafa Sandoval, Absolute Superman #18 largely centers around a four-way conflict. It starts with Talia al Ghul attempting to take her father to the last unguarded Lazarus Pit on Earth. However, thanks to Kal-El’s influence, Ra’s al Ghul has come to regret his past actions and sees the Pit as a corrupting influence on his mind.
Lois Lane, whose father was killed by Talia, shows up intending to avenge his death. Superman then arrives, intending to stop Lois from darkening her soul by murdering someone. This four-way fight is further complicated by the arrival of an masked figure, who has their own grudge against Ra’s al Ghul.
The mystery hero is clad in heavy metal armor and armed with a massive war-hammer. However, the hammer contains advanced technology, which neutralizes the weapons of the Lazarus Corp soldiers Talia has watching their back. The armored man is able to neutralize the soldiers’ armor, casually explaining as he moves past them that he designed their armor.
What hero does Absolute Superman #18 introduce?
While the armored suit is of unfamiliar design, the mystery hero is clearly meant to be Superman’s ally Steel. When asked what his amazing armor and hammer are made of, he replies “Steel.” However, there are two other clues that seem to confirm his identity, based on the history of the main DC Universe version of Steel.
Steel was introduced following the Death of Superman storyline. John Henry Irons was a brilliant engineer who went into hiding after discovering his bosses were selling his weapons to criminals. While working as a construction worker, Irons fell off a building and was saved by the Man of Steel. After Superman’s apparent death fighting Doomsday, Irons was inspired to become the hero Metropolis needed. With an armored suit and his high-tech hammer, he became a new Man of Steel, eventually just called Steel.
The issue ends before this new Steel is confirmed to be the Absolute Universe version of John Henry Irons. However, his high-tech hammer coupled with his reference to having designed the Peacemaker armor makes it clear who he is. It remains to be seen just what specific grievance he might have with Ra’s al Ghul
Absolute Superman #18 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
