Notice! This post contains SPOILERS for Absolute Superman #2
DC Comics just changed the superhero cape game with Absolute Superman, completely redefining the Man of Steel's iconic red cape with an incredible redesign. Leaning into his alien origins as the Last Son of Krypton, Kal-El's new skin features some incredible applications like “The Last Dust of Krypton.” Debuting much more than the original Superman's cloth cape could be, I was impressed with how cool this new cape adds to this new direction for Superman in DC's new Absolute Universe.
As seen in Absolute Superman #2 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval, Kal-El finds himself completely surrounded by the security agents and peacekeepers working for the corrupt Lazarus Corporation, whose operations he has been actively fighting across the world. Despite being handcuffed to Agent Lazarus, Lois Lane, Absolute Superman's living, sentient costume, known as Sol, wears Kal's cape, protecting himself and Lane from a hail of fire.. However, the cape itself is notably made of red powder which can be manipulated to great effect:
On the one hand, there have always been superhero capes with practical uses, like Batman's cape, which he uses to glide through the streets of Gotham, or Marvel's Doctor Strange and his Levitation Cape. However, it's hard to deny that Absolute Superman's new cape, made from the dust of Krypton, isn't taking things to the next level.
Absolute Superman's new cape has all kinds of abilities
It's much more than an iconic fashion piece
It's easy to see this at a glance Absolute Superman #2 the main purpose is to show off Kal-El's new alien cape, and it works quite well. After defending himself and Lois (which was considered acceptable collateral damage by Lazarus), Superman takes to the sky with Lane still cuffed to his wrist. With the helitanks in pursuit, Kal-El's red dust cape expands and absorbs the blow of two missiles that were fired.
“It's become abundantly clear that Absolute Superman's red dust cape easily surpasses any other superhero cape seen before…”
Additionally, Superman uses the cape to help a group of nearby civilians who would otherwise have been caught in the resulting crossfire. Incredibly, the cape reaches and protects multiple people at once before treating their minor injuries. To that end, IIt's become quite clear that Absolute Superman's red dust cape easily surpasses any other superhero cape seen before. It's too unique, advantageous, and downright cool to be ranked below the top of the list.
The new cover is made from the red dust of Krypton
It's powerful and extremely sentimental
In the main DC Universe, Superman's traditional cloth cape is quite durable and provides a means of protection. However, it is a far cry from anything Absolute Superman's cape can accomplish due to its sheer adaptability. In the same way, The fact that this new Superman cape is literally made from the dust of his lost home planet is heartwarming, arguably surpassing the sentimental value of the original cape (the blanket Kal-El was wrapped in when he was sent to Earth). As such, I'm very excited to see Superman's new cape in action as Absolute Superman continues.
Absolute Superman #2 is now on sale at DC Comics.