Notice! Spoilers ahead for Absolute Superman #1!The newest from DC Comics Superman has officially debuted and joining him in the dark Absolute Universe is a new JARVIS-like wizard. This new Man of Steel doesn’t have much to remind him of his home planet, except an AI that wants nothing more than to keep him safe.
Darkseid changed everything when he died and used his energy to create the new Absolute Universe, a DCU built on turmoil and conflict. In this world, DC’s greatest heroes lack many of the things that give their Prime counterparts their strength. But Absolute Superman is not alone, as he has a companion determined to help him survive this world.
Absolute Superman is accompanied by Sol, an artificial intelligence
Absolute Superman’s new costume comes with a partner
In Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola and Becca Carey, a corporate entity known as Lazarus Corporation has taken control of a mine in Brazil and is exploiting the local population to obtain the mine’s resources. However, unbeknownst to Lazarus’ guards, the Peacekeepers, an alien known as Kal-El has come to live in the area and works in secret to ease the workers’ burden. However Superman is well received by the locals, he remains aloof to keep them and himself safe.
Don’t miss DC All In Special #1 (2024) to see how the Absolute Universe was created!
The Peacekeepers learn of what is happening and attack the workers’ camp, looking for Kal-El. Kal-El is in a small residence and is awakened by a voice coming from inside his costume. Superman takes action against the Peacekeepers as the voice provides commentary and insight to Kal-El. The voice belongs to an artificial intelligence inside Superman’s suit and is known as Sol. Sol not only advises Kal-El on battle techniques and keeps him informed about his energy levels, Sol also tries to convince Superman to flee for his own good..
…Sol reveals his true mission: to safeguard the last member of the House of El.
However, Superman defies Sol and continues fighting the Peacekeepers, only for Lazarus to send his elite guard, the Phenomena Field Team, to arrest Kal-El. Superman unleashes his heat vision on the soldiers as Sol reveals his true mission: to safeguard the last member of the House of El. Sol reminds Superman that some worlds cannot be saved, especially by their own people. Unfortunately, Superman doesn’t take Sol’s advice to run seriously until it’s too late and Kal-El is taken in by Agent Lois Lane.
Sol is here to protect the absolute Superman, but at what cost?
Is Kal-El’s new partner really useful?
Unlike the Prime Universe’s Superman, who came to Earth as a baby and was adopted by the Kents, this version of the Man of Steel was an adult when he arrived. This Superman is much more connected to his Kryptonian heritage than most of the other variants, and this is no doubt due to the influence of Sol, who is there to remind Kal-El where he came from and the dangers that have dragged Krypton down. Although Sol is a highly intelligent program, his concern for Superman’s safety could ultimately be causing more harm than good.
Of course, Sol really helps when analyzing the fight Kal-El is involved in and helps him fight the Peacekeepers. But Sol’s outlook is extremely pessimistic and is doing his best to ensure that Kal-El only thinks about himself and not others. Fortunately, Superman’s true spirit can be seen during the fight when he tells Sol that he is responsible for the safety of the exploited workers. But in the end it looks like Kal-El is starting to take Sol’s advice seriously. which only serves to kill the hope that Superman needs to bring to the Absolute Universe.
…Sol’s outlook is extremely pessimistic and is doing his best to ensure that Kal-El only thinks of himself and not others.
Thanks to Darkseid’s energy permeating the world, the Absolute Universe is a dark world and hope needs to be encouraged, not underestimated. It’s true that Sol was created to ensure Kal-El was safe (no doubt a gift from his parents to protect him in their absence). But Superman is not the one who needs protection in this world. It is people like the workers suffering at the hands of the Lazarus Corporation who need to be protected. Sol may just be doing his job, but If Superman really wants to help, he’ll have to go up against his new partner.
Sol will help Absolute Superman become a true hero
Kal-El will understand his purpose
Right now, Superman is alone and insecure. It’s understandable that Sol would have some influence, given that Kal-El saw the destruction of Krypton firsthand. However, there is already a spark of the true Superman deep within this Absolute variant. As much as Sol wants to keep Kal-El safe, Superman knows that someone like him has the ability to save people and prevent what happened on Krypton from happening again. Despite this AI’s best intentions, Absolute Superman He will have to overcome Sol to become the hero he is destined to be.
Absolute Superman #1 is now available from DC Comics.