Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Superman #1Superman the origin story is a well-known component of his character, but his Absolute counterpart just rewrote it in a shocking way. The Absolute Universe has finally introduced its version of Superman, and one key difference sets him apart from the original: the Absolute Superman grew up on Krypton rather than Earth, permanently redefining his relationship with his home planet.
Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola and Becca Carey finally introduces the Superman of the Absolute Universe, but it also takes time to explore Krypton and its destiny. Flashbacks portray Lara Lor-Van and Jor-El as they struggle with an oppressive, classist Kryptonian society that has evolved in a very different direction than what readers might recognize in DC’s main continuity. After braving the deadly mines near the planet’s core, Jor returns to Lara and tells her of Krypton’s impending destruction, only to be joined by a familiar face: Kal-El.
In a surprising revelation, Superman is shown as a boy on Kryptondrastically changing one of his character’s traits and giving this variant a stronger relationship with his home planet and biological parents than he’s ever had in DC history.
Absolute Superman grew up on Krypton in a huge departure from his original story
Superman is raised by his Kryptonian parents, not the Kents
Typically, Superman’s upbringing is attributed to Smallville residents Jonathan and Martha Kent after they discover his space capsule on Earth. He then becomes Clark Kent, son of farmers. Now, it appears that Superman’s childhood took place on Krypton with his biological parents.
However, this does not mean that he has lost his humble roots; In the Absolute Universe, as a result of Krypton’s class system, Superman’s Kryptonian parents are working-class citizens, as are the Kents, in a synthesis of DC lore. Superman’s working-class roots remain intact here, but instead of being raised in Smallville, he spends his childhood on Krypton.
Superman’s origin changes drastically with the revelation that he grew up on Krypton rather than Earth, granting him a closer bond with his biological parents. Because he was raised by the Kents in their traditional tradition, Clark never met his parents during his childhood. Thus, when he refers to his parents, he is typically talking about Martha and Jonathan, as opposed to the Kryptonian mother and father he never met. Kal-El, on the other hand, is raised by Lara and Jor and therefore knows them as his parents first and foremost – thus making his inevitable loss even more tragic in the future.
Absolute Superman redefines the Man of Steel’s relationship with Krypton
Superman’s new backstory takes inspiration from Supergirl
In the original Superman story, Krypton is destroyed in a horrific explosion, so his parents send their son off-world in a capsule to save his life. The tragedy of Superman’s origin thus becomes the unknown about his Kryptonian heritage, because he was too young to remember anything about his home world when he was sent away. Although he has visited Krypton through time travel or visions, these brief encounters are not enough to make Krypton his true home. In the Absolute Universe, Superman is old enough to consider Krypton his home during his time there, then losing that home – and his parents – will hit him harder than ever.
Superman may not have as powerful an attachment to Krypton in DC’s mainline due to his inability to remember it, but there is another Kryptonian who does. Supergirl was older than Superman while her home planet still existed and could experience this for herself, then she has much more devastating trauma surrounding the destruction of Krypton.
As such, the Absolute Universe has gave Superman Supergirl’s backstory, deepening his connection to Krypton. While the exact circumstances of Krypton’s destruction in this new universe have not yet been revealed, its destruction clearly had a painful effect on Superman, just as it did on Supergirl.
Superman’s tragic new origin makes him a stranger on Earth
Absolute Superman no longer has his earthly family
When Absolute Superman appears in the present day, he is a far cry from the usual depictions of the classic DC hero. He is much more closed and soft-spoken, distancing himself from the people of Earth as a stranger to his species. When the Kents raise him, Superman forms an Earth family that integrates him into their culture. The Absolute Universe deprives him of this human connection by tying him more closely to Krypton and then stripping him of his Kryptonian family, leaving him alone. As such, Superman lacks his standard impulse to fight on behalf of humanity, as he does not identify as one of them.
Superman’s trauma surrounding Krypton continues to haunt him, but there is hope that one day he will overcome it and find a new home on Earth.
As this version of Superman does not appear to belong among humans, he chooses not to intervene in their conflicts. He has extraordinary superpowers that can make a difference, but often chooses not to – until the events of this first issue, when he takes a stand against the villainous Peacekeepers. Although he ends up regretting his intervention, intervening is a step in the right direction. SupermanThe trauma surrounding Krypton continues to haunt him, but there is hope that someday he will overcome it and find a new home on Earth.
Absolute Superman #1 is now available from DC Comics.