Nearly a decade has passed since Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman was released, yet one variant cover serves as a reminder that the Snyderverse will always hold a special place in the hearts of fans, as it addresses a significant Superman question from Snyder’s movie. However, this cover goes beyond mere nostalgia for Batman v Superman, carrying its own serious implications for current comic continuity.
Scheduled for release on May 4, 2024, fans can grab their FREE copy of FCBD 2024: Absolute Power Special Edition #1 by Mark Waid, Mikel Janín, and Trish Mulvihill. This comic serves as the prelude to DC’s blockbuster Summer event, Absolute Power, which will pit the Trinity of Evil against DC’s greatest heroes in a battle that will determine the fate of all metahumans in the DCU.
Alongside the comic, a stunning variant cover by the legendary Dan Mora will be included, which also answers the iconic Snyderverse Superman question posed by the Dark Knight in Batman v Superman: “Do You Bleed?”
Based on Mora’s variant, the answer is a resounding “yes“—Superman does bleed. Now, someone just needs to give a call to Ben Affleck’s Batman and let him know. However, moving on from the Snyderverse, the art alone is as brutal as it is gorgeous, depicting Kal-El in free-fall against the backdrop of a night-lit Metropolis. Superman extends an arm upward as if reaching for someone or something to save him, but even more striking is the blood that appears to be emanating from him, creating a visually and emotionally charged image.
What’s particularly intriguing about this variant cover, though, is the absence of the green glow of Kryptonite, which is typically the only substance that can make Superman bleed. This raises a new question: Why and how is the Man of Steel bleeding? Given the details revealed so far for Absolute Power, it’s likely that Mora’s variant cover depicts Kal-El after his confrontation with Amanda Waller’s Superman-specific Amazo, the Last Son. This suggests that the Superman depicted by Mora is powerless and already injured as he falls towards the streets of Metropolis.
Other solicitations for Absolute Power, including the tie-in comic Superman #16 by Joshua Williamson and Jamal Campbell, confirm that at some point during this summer crisis event, Superman loses his powers. Hence, it’s safe to say that Clark will be doing A LOT of bleeding in the coming months. What will be particularly intriguing is how Kal-El copes with his new injuries since his usual fix of sitting under a sunlamp won’t be much help anymore. Exciting times lie ahead for Superman fans as they will get to see a whole new side to the Man of Steel.
Free Comic Book Day 2024: Absolute Power Special Edition #1 will be released on May 4, 2024, from DC Comics!