WARNING: Contains potential spoilers for ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #1!
Smallville, Kansas, like Superman The house on Earth is a story almost as old as the character himself and has become a central part of his origin story and identity over the decades. However, Absolute Superman completely erased that aspect of the Man of Steel’s story, starting his story not just in a different country, but on an entirely different continent.
…this twist is particularly notable as it aligns with DC’s ongoing effort to distance Superman from his American roots…
Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola and Becca Carey’s Absolute Superman #1 is a brilliant reimagining of Superman’s origin story and character, completely disregarding some of the more classic Man of Steel traditions while putting a unique spin on other parts.
One of the biggest changes is that this Superman didn’t crash-land as a child in Smallville, Kansas, and was therefore never raised by the Kents. Instead, Kal-El of Krypton is presented to readers as a homeless, familyless wanderer from Earth and, interestingly, Its history doesn’t even begin in the United States, but in Brazil.
Goodbye, USA: Absolute Superman officially premieres in BRAZIL
Absolute Superman is the ultimate homeless wanderer
To clarify, it’s still unclear exactly where Superman arrived on Earth. or all the countries he visited, but his story begins in a small town in Minas Gerais in Brazil. So for now, Brazil serves as Superman’s home base, marking his official debut and making this beautiful South American country an integral part of the Absolute Man of Steel lore. However, despite his current presence in the city, it is clear that Kal-El remains a stranger to the locals – a wanderer, a wanderer, a man of mystery.
This impression is reinforced when a friendly miner approaches Kal-El, hinting at the townspeople’s curiosity about him. To them, he is a mystery; they are not sure what language he speaks, and some even speculate that he may be a “wild boy from the Amazon”. Although Kal-El does not respond to these comments, he mentions that he saw “the wonders” of Earth, confirming his status as a wanderer. Later, in an internal monologue, Kal-El reveals that he spent years running “all over the planet”, painting a bleak picture – a Superman without a home.
This is a huge departure from classic Superman lore, where his identity is deeply tied to Smallville, Kansas, and the upbringing he received from Martha and Jonathan Kent. In the Absolute Universe, however, this Kal-El experienced the opposite: always on the move, constantly running, never belonging in one place. However, it is notable that when the Lazarus Corps Force – a militarized police force – begins to threaten the miners, Superman intervenes, internally declaring that he has stopped running. This moment raises the possibility that this version of Superman could indeed find a base in Brazil.
Absolute Superman pushes DC closer to its goal of reinventing the Man of Steel as a global hero
Of “Truth, Justice and the American Way” to “Truth, Justice and a Better Tomorrow.”
Absolute Superman being a homeless hero is a huge departure from the usual Man of Steel tradition, and This twist is particularly notable as it aligns with DC’s ongoing effort to distance Superman from his American roots.presenting him as a hero to the entire world. While Superman’s legacy has always been about a better world, his American-centric origins and iconic catchphrase“Truth, Justice and the American Way,” traditionally cast him in a distinctly American light – which is by no means a negative thing, as many fans love – myself included – this part of Superman’s character history.
However, in 2021, DC changed Superman’s catchphrase to “Truth, Justice and a Better Tomorrow” signaling a clear intention to expand its membership beyond the United States. This change was confirmed by DC Chief Creative Officer and Publisher Jim Lee at DC Fandom 2021, where he explained, “Superman has long been a symbol of hope that inspires people around the world, and it is this optimism and hope that drives him with this new mission statement.” While this is true, Earth-Prime’s main Superman remains closely tied to the US in the minds of fans.
The introduction of Absolute Superman as a “Wanderer of the World” it’s a brilliant way to establish this version of the Man of Steel as a global hero, free of allegiance to any one country. THE Absolute Universe gives creators like Aaron the freedom to take characters in new directions that reflect DC’s evolving values and visionwithout erasing the beloved history that shaped these characters from the beginning. In essence, Absolute Superman allows DC to finally fulfill its goal of presenting the Man of Steel as a true hero to the world.
Superman grew up in the Redlands of Krypton with his mother and father
Kal-El came to Earth much later in the absolute universe narrative
Although fans still don’t know about Absolute Superman’s arrival on Earth, We know he grew up on Krypton, specifically in “Red Lands.” A poignant three-page flashback shows the El family – Lara, Jor, a dog who appears to be Krypto, and a young Kal-El, around ten years old. This marks a sharp departure from the family origins, where Superman is sent to Earth as a helpless child. Consequently, growing up on Krypton with his parents may be the closest Kal-El ever has to a true home – until the planet’s inevitable destruction, of course.
Absolute Superman No. 1 confirms the existence of the Kent Farm in Kansas
Does Kal-El still have a chance to claim his Clark Kent identity?
Although Absolute Superman was stripped of his Kansas upbringing, there’s still a chance that it could play a role in his story. Aaron confirmed that the Kents and their farm existed, at least at some point. This is shown in a single page describing the decaying and apparently abandoned Kent farm, now ominously marked as “Owned by Lazarus Corp.” It’s unclear whether this is a teaser for future developments or the end of the Kents’ involvement in the narrative. However, it opens up intriguing possibilities, particularly with regard to the Absolute. Superman potentially finding his Clark Kent identity – a role he currently does not have.
Absolute Superman #1 is now available from DC Comics!
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ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #1 (2024) |
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