WARNING: Contains potential spoilers for ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #1!
Absolute Superman is finally here, and after months of teasing his bold redesign via cover art and the DC ALL IN SPECIAL, fans finally have a full reveal in the first issue of the new Man of Steel solo series. But this debut isn’t just about of the suit’s look – it’s packed with big reveals, revealing the suit’s powerful capabilities, rich symbolism and dark tributes that add a whole new layer to this Superman’s legacy.
…readers also discover that Superman’s suit has the ability to change and adapt its shape to protect him…
While Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola and Becca Carey’s Absolute Superman #1 brings significant changes to the Man of Steel’s origin, character design, and identity, one key aspect of Superman lore remains the same – the destruction of Krypton. As in the Earth-Prime continuity, the end of Krypton is caused by the instability of the planet’s core.
In the case of the Absolute Universe, it is the excessive exploitation of the planet’s resources that mainly causes the central instability. However, contrary to Earth-Prime canon, Superman’s costume in this universe features a unique design that serves as a callback to the destruction of Krypton, making this one of the darkest reworkings of the Man of Steel to date.
Absolute Superman’s lava-infused suit represents the destruction of Krypton
Krypton’s plundering of its natural lava reserves contributed to the planet’s destruction
Absolute Superman #1 begins with a flashback to Krypton, offering a glimpse into the differences between Kal-El’s Earth-Prime and Absolute Universe origins, specifically when it comes to the destruction of his home planet, as well as his family’s role in society. Kryptonian. As Superman narrates, fans learn about Kryptonian culture and their eventual role in the planet’s downfall. Kal reflects on his father, Jor-El, who condemned the Science League “environmental recklessness”, warning that the exploitation of Krypton’s natural resources would lead to global catastrophe.
Just like in the Earth-Prime continuity, Jor-El’s warnings were ignored and the destruction of Krypton finally happened. While this aspect of Superman lore is well known to fans, the question arises: how does the destruction of Krypton tie into Absolute Superman’s costume? The answer lies in a unique design element of the suit: its lava-infused details. This detail is particularly significant because Krypton’s power plants were powered by lava, one of the natural resources that the Science League recklessly exploited in the name of progress. By incorporating these lava-like details, Superman’s costume symbolically connects to the destruction of his home planet.
It’s important to clarify that this article is in no way saying that the lava details on Superman’s suit directly contributed to the fall of Krypton. Instead of, the lava details serve as a poetic representation of the planet’s destruction. It’s also likely that these lava-like features are an extension of Kal’s own powers, rather than actual lava drawn from Krypton’s reserves. However, even if this is the case, the visual similarity to lava remains significant. It serves as a constant reminder of Krypton’s overexploited resources and the catastrophe that followed, adding a dark tone to the design.
Superman proudly wears a Kryptonian “Mark of Shame”
Absolute Superman redefines the meaning of the Man of Steel “S” Shield
Another aspect that makes this costume one of Superman’s darkest is that the iconic “S” shield is now a “mark of shame” rather than a symbol of hope, as it is on Earth-Prime. This shift in meaning stems from the reimagined Kryptonian caste system. As revealed in the story, Jor and Lara-El belonged to the Labor Guild – the lowest-ranking guild in Kryptonian society. In this version, the “S” The shield is not the El family crest, but rather the symbol that represents the entire Labor Guild, a despised group in Kryptonian society. Consequently, the emblem is a “mark of shame” this reflects this low rating.
This change gives one of Superman’s most enduring symbols a distinctly negative connotation – at least in the context of Kryptonian culture. However, both Jor and Lara wore the Labor crest with pride, and Superman’s own narrative reflects this sense of pride in the Labor guild. Therefore, Kal-El probably doesn’t see the symbol as a mark of shame; he simply recognizes that Kryptonian society saw things that way. However, This darker interpretation of “S” shield adds a dark tone to Absolute Superman’s costume.
Meet SOL: Superman’s version of Iron Man’s JARVIS
Superman’s new costume incorporates artificial intelligence
While the symbolism and appearance of the Absolute Superman suit are highly notable, the suit’s abilities are perhaps even more impressive – particularly the fact that it appears to contain artificial intelligence, much like Iron Man’s JARVIS. This AI, called SOL, reveals itself when Superman confronts Peacekeepers who are abusing their power.triggering an intense battle. During the fight, SOL provides Kal with real-time information about his opponents and even offers tactical suggestions about his actions. Through the observations of Agent Lazarus Lois Lane, readers also discover that Superman’s suit has the ability to change and adapt its shape to protect. it – probably a SOL-enabled feature.
Additionally, the SOL appears to emit some form of digital interference that disrupts any attempts to register Kal, further highlighting the suit’s advanced capabilities. Notably, when Superman begins fighting the combined forces of the Peacekeepers and the Lazarus agents, SOL encourages him to retreat. This leads to a tense conversation where SOL reveals its main directive: to protect the last living member of the House of El, adding a compelling new dimension to the relationship between Kal and his AI companion.
The Absolute Universe gives Superman one of its boldest makeovers in decades
Superman’s long hair and lava-infused suit are unprecedented design changes
While the lava-infused accents, the “mark of shame”, and SOL are intriguing in their own right, it’s the combination of these elements with other visual aspects that makes Absolute Kal’s costume one of Superman’s boldest redesigns to date. The integration of advanced technology, power channeling potential, Kryptonian cultural significance, and striking appearance set this suit apart from anything the hero has ever worn. Even details like his long hair contribute to the uniqueness of this character’s design. Whether you love or hate this look, one thing is for sure: this is one of the Superman most notable suits to date.
Absolute Superman #1 is now available from DC Comics!
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ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #1 (2024) |
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