Notice! Spoilers ahead for Absolute Superman #1!Any skepticism I had regarding DC’s newest release Superman they were immediately put to bed. After months of waiting, Absolute Superman #1 has finally hit the shelves and I have to say I’m happy to see that he really understands what makes DC’s greatest hero tick.
The DC Universe is filled with countless variants of Superman, but thanks to Darkseid, a new Man of Steel was born in the cruel and desperate Absolute Universe. It is a world built on the energy of the New God, where turmoil and challenge reign supreme. But, fortunately, there is a Superman who keeps the spirit of hope alive.
ONEAbsolute Superman #1 reveals a different Kal-El, but keeps what works
Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval
In Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola and Becca Carey, a flashback reveals the planet Krypton in its heyday. Although it was a world of advanced science and technology, it was a regressive society built on an oppressive class system where workers were looked down upon. Unfortunately, due to Jor-El’s role in the labor guild, no one heeded his warnings when he discovered that Krypton was dying and its people were in serious danger.
Years later, on Earth in Brazil, a company known as Lazarus Corporation is exploiting workers in a mine. But Kal-El, who has only been on Earth for a short time, is helping the workers by mining for them. However, this draws the attention of the Peacekeepers, Lazarus’ soldiers, who beat the workers until they discover Kal-El’s location. Fortunately, Sol, the artificial intelligence inside Kal-El’s suit kicks in and Superman confronts the Peacekeepers in a head-on confrontation.
Kal-El easily destroys the Peacekeepers, even with technology that Sol determines is from other worlds. However, the Peacekeepers retreat as Lazarus’ elite army, the Phenomena Field Team, emerges to capture Kal-El at the behest of the Director of the Lazarus Corporation. Against Sol’s wishes, Superman fires his heat vision to protect the exploited workers. Unfortunately, it uses a lot of energy and the Phenomena Field Team catches up with him and Agent Lois Lane captures Superman. Elsewhere, a mysterious figure with several gridlocked cities watches Superman’s public debut, contemplating the exciting possibilities that could arise with this new alien.
Where DC’s newest Superman came from and what sets him apart from Clark Kent
Darkseid is responsible for this new Superman
The DC Universe went through a truly harrowing experience in its most recent summer event, Absolute power. While Amanda Waller dispossessed the heroes en masse, she also built a multiversal gate, intending to bring her law and order to neighboring Earths. Fortunately, the heroes shut it down, but this resulted in the Prime DC Universe being permanently separated from the rest of the multiverse. As bad as it was, This separation caused Darkseid’s power to merge into one form, causing him to become restless..
Unable to deal with this change in the multiverse, Darkseid began traversing the DC Universe until he encountered the Specter and fused with him in hopes of becoming more powerful. Specter transported the two to the new and improved Justice League Watchtower, where Darkseid was attacked by several heroes. During the battle, the two were separated and Darkseid’s physical body was destroyedbut its energy created a rift in spacetime and found a home in the young and impressionable Elseworld.
As energy took hold in this new world, Earth’s alternate timeline was influenced by Darkseid’s principles. This world was colder and crueler, and while it had familiar heroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, they lacked many of the things their Prime counterparts have, like Bruce Wayne’s wealth or Diana’s Amazonian community. According to Darkseid, hope still exists in this world, but unlike the Prime Universe, DC’s beloved heroes will have to overcome greater challenges if they hope to live.
Despite a darker world, Absolute Superman keeps hope alive
Different story, same man of steel
I admit that when DC Comics announced their plans for the Absolute line of titles, I was somewhat ambivalent. Not that I didn’t believe in the idea, but I was curious how much they could eliminate my all-time favorite hero and still keep him the same. It’s true that, like Batman and Wonder Woman, the changes aren’t what different, but still, given the nature of the Absolute Universe, I had some concerns. But this question really proved that, above all, the creative team really understands what makes Superman tick.
…even if Kal-El doesn’t have a home or the bonds we love, he’s still Superman.
I really love how this story frames Kal-El as a genuine working-class hero. His family was a labor corporation and now he spends his days fighting for the rights and freedoms of exploited workers. It’s very much tied to Superman’s Golden Age roots, when he fought corrupt politicians and robber barons. Not to mention, this book really shows Clark’s greatest power. Not his heat vision or super strength, but his empathy for other people. I feel silly for doubting his book, because with just one edition, hit all the aspects that truly define Superman.
The Absolute Universe is a fun experiment that shows what the essence of these characters is. Don’t get me wrong, I wish the Kents were here and we could see this new, dapper Kal-El working in Metropolis. But it’s much more important that we know that even if Kal-El doesn’t have a home or the bonds we love, he’s still Superman. What’s really important is presenting Superman as a hero who never gives up when fighting exploitative forces and is prepared to risk everything to save innocent lives and that’s exactly what we got here.
Don’t miss Absolute Superman #1
Available now from DC Comics
I was pleasantly surprised by each of the Absolute titles, and what impressed me most was Absolute Superman. While there’s clearly a lot the creative team has in mind for DC’s new Man of Steel, I’m confident in saying that this book did everything needed to create one of the most important Superman stories DC Comics has released in years. . Curious fans will almost certainly want to do themselves a favor and buy a copy to see what works with DC’s incredible new film. Superman.
Absolute Superman #1 is now available from DC Comics.