Ricky Church reviews Death of Superman Absolute Edition…
It is hard to think of a more groundbreaking story in comics within the last 30 years than the Death of Superman. The story not only has had far reaching effects throughout DC’s comics to this day, but left a lasting impact on pop culture with news stations around the world reporting on the Man of Steel’s death and the reaction the general public had to this event. It was so impactful to Superman’s legacy the epic battle between him and the monster known as Doomsday has been adapted several times in film, TV, animation and video games. Though the story has been published in different formats from trade paperbacks to omnibuses, DC has given the iconic story the Absolute treatment in the oversized Death of Superman Absolute Edition filled to the brim with behind the scenes extras and collectible goodies that makes this one of the best Absolutes DC has ever published.
Death of Superman will be familiar to anyone who has even the slightest knowledge of Superman since it is not only one of if not the most famous event to happen to Superman, but has been retold through Batman v Superman, Superman & Lois and two separate animated movies. A hulking monster is set loose on the world, traveling through America in an unstoppable rampage of destruction that many powerful Justice League heroes including Superman cannot stop. After a brutal battle on the streets of Metropolis, Superman finally defeats Doomsday at the cost of his own life.
Despite it being somewhat overplayed in media in a relatively short amount of time between the above projects, Superman’s death is a seminal piece of comic book history from writers and artists Dan Jurgens, Roger Stern, Louise Simonson, Jerry Ordway, Karl Kesel, Brett Breeding and more. The story flows incredibly well with amazing artwork, particularly in Superman #75 which depicts Superman’s death in full splash pages throughout the whole issue. As much as Doomsday might be a one-dimensional villain, he is completely menacing in his introduction and a frightening figure especially with his appearance slowly revealed issue by issue as his containment suit is ripped to shreds in each fight.
Death of Superman is not a landmark story for no reason due to the writing. The Absolute Edition absolutely shines on the artwork, allowing readers to really examine the detail the artists put into each panel. Even if someone already owns Death of Superman in paperback, deluxe edition or omnibus, the Absolute Edition might just be the best version ever published due to the wealth of bonuses included. Within the Absolute is behind the scenes stories at how the concept was put together, the planning of the ambitious crossover throughout Death and its sequels World Without A Superman and Return of Superman, designs from the initial sketches to inking of the art and more.
As said, that is just within the book as the Absolute also includes a dust jacket in the shape of Superman’s torn cape, a folder labeled for Lois Lane that contains an armband, Superman’s death certificate, a program for his funeral, the Newstime magazine and other extras as pictured below. It really is a staggering amount of content showing more than the usual effort DC already puts into their fantastic Absolute line.
The place Death of Superman holds within the comic fandom is not to be debated. Over 30 years after its publication it is still a significant piece of Superman’s history that continues to impact his stories (whether for good or ill depending on the adaptation for readers to decide), but the wealth of bonuses in the Death of Superman Absolute Edition provide a great look at this story’s conception and how it influenced what came after. It is simply a fantastic book with several cool collectibles that make this a must-have for any Superman fan.
Rating: 10/10
Ricky Church
