Absolute Superman Issue 23 (2026) Recap: Toyman’s Terrifying Return Shakes the Man of Steel

Published: September 2, 2026 | Publisher: DC Comics | Writer: Jason Aaron | Artist: Juan Ferreyra

Absolute Superman #23 hit stores on September 2, 2026, continuing the “Get Brainiac” storyline that has defined this reimagined corner of DC’s Absolute Universe. This issue takes a sharp emotional turn, pulling Superman away from his hunt for Brainiac and into a confrontation with a villain who hits much closer to home: the Toyman.

What Happens in Absolute Superman Issue 23

In this world, Superman doesn’t grow up in a loving farmhouse with the Kents. He crash-lands as a teenager near an industrial city ruled by corporations, private armies, and corrupt politicians — an origin that colors everything about how this Kal-El sees power and justice.

Issue #23 leans into that backstory. The narrative pulls back from the ongoing Brainiac pursuit to reveal that this universe’s Toyman is Winslow Schott, and the story weaves in a flashback to Superman’s childhood on Krypton alongside his present-day struggle. As a kid, Kal-El is shown as an outcast among his peers, a detail that deepens the emotional stakes of his standoff with Schott.

Structurally, the issue is notably quiet. Rather than leaning on dense dialogue or narration, Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra let the confrontation play out through sparse exchanges and Kal-El’s internal monologue, giving the encounter a tense, introspective feel rather than a typical superhero slugfest.

True to this version’s character, Superman also spends part of the issue acting less like a traditional hero and more like an instrument of class justice — tearing through military hardware, weapons, and symbols of extreme wealth in a manner critics have compared to a modern Robin Hood. It reinforces a theme this series has leaned into since it launched: an Absolute Superman who positions himself against billionaires and war profiteers, not just supervillains.

By the end of the issue, the Toyman confrontation leaves Kal-El genuinely rattled — not from physical injury, but from what the encounter forces him to confront psychologically. It’s a departure from the usual “villain of the week” formula, positioning Toyman as one of the more unsettling threats Superman has faced in this series.

Why This Issue Matters for the Series

Absolute Superman launched in November 2024 as part of DC’s Absolute Universe imprint, reimagining Superman’s mythology from the ground up. Unlike mainline continuity, this Kal-El’s harder upbringing has consistently shaped a more confrontational, politically charged version of the character — one willing to challenge power structures rather than simply protect the status quo.

Issue #23 fits that mold while also expanding the cast of psychological threats Superman faces. Pairing Brainiac (a cosmic, almost clinical threat) with Toyman (a personal, unsettling one) gives the “Get Brainiac” arc more emotional range heading into its next chapters.

Creative Team

Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist/Colorist: Juan Ferreyra
Letterer: Becca Carey
Cover Artist: Rafa Sandoval (main cover), with variant covers by Clay Mann, Juan Ferreyra, and Fabrizio De Tommaso
Editor: Chris Conroy