In Absolute Superman #22, Kal-El confronts a terrifying reimagining of the villain Metallo. The conflict concludes not with a knockout blow, but with a gesture of empathy that breaks a psychological hold.
The Kryptonite blood of Absolute Metallo
The encounter in Absolute Superman #22 presents a starkly different power dynamic than traditional Superman stories. According to the source report, this version of Metallo possesses Kryptonite blood, rendering the fight essentially one-sided from the start. The brutality of the clash is highlighted by the fact that Absolute Superman is beaten so severely he is forced to use x-ray vision just to see through his own swollen eyelids.
Despite the physical onslaught, the resolution is an act of radical compassion. Rather than utilizing force, Absolute Superman defeats his opponent with a warm embrace, telling the villlain, "You will not outrun the arms of Superman." This moment serves as the definitive turning point, shifting the battle from a physical brawl to a psychological rescue mission.
Christopher Smith's transformation into a weapon
The horror of this iteration of Metallo stems from the identity of the man trapped inside the machine. as the report says, the antagonist is actually Christopher Smith, better known as Peacemaker, who has been subjected to horrific brainwashing. This twist adds a layer of tragedy to the Absolute continuity, where characters are often stripped of their agency and twisted into nightmare versions of themselves.
The struggle in Absolute Superman #22 is less about defeating a monster and more about reaching the human being beneath the metal.. Absolute Superman spends the fight appealing to Christopher Smith's human nature and reminding him of his relationship with his mother, attempting to dismantle the psychological conditioning imposed upon him.
A response to the 'infant' hugging critiques
The decision to end the fight with a hug appears to be a meta-commentary on the DC Comics fandom. The source notes that some readers previously criticized Superman for hugging his 17-year-old son, Jon Kent, as if he were an "infant," while others took issue with Jon Kent showing affection toward the Superman of the Injustice universe.
By centering the climax of Absolute Superman #22 on a hug, the writers seem to be issuing a blatant callout to those who view Superman's tenderness as a weakness. In a universe designed to be "topsy-turvy" and callous, the narrative argues that empathy is not just a character trait, but perhaps the most potent superpower in any continuity.
How many more Metallos can Brainiac create?
While this specific conflict ends in redemption, the broader threat remains unresolved. The report indicates that the madman Brainiac may have the capability to produce an unlimited number of Metallo-style constructs, suggesting that Christopher Smith was merely a prototype or one of many victims.
It remains unclear how Brainiac intends to deploy these assets or if other established DC characters have already been converted into similar horrific weapons. Because the source focuses primarily on the resolution of issue #22, the full scale of Brainiac's biological and mechanical experimentation in the Absolute universe is still a mystery.
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