After Just One Issue, Absolute Superman Proves It’s a Dynamic Reinvention of the Entire Franchise (Not Just a ‘What If…?’)

Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Absolute Superman #1After its first issue alone, DC’s Absolute Superman has proven it has far more to offer than simply being a cool “What If…?” story. Set in the alternate universe known as Earth-Alpha or the “Elseworld”, DC’s new Absolute Universe was created by Darkseid as a reality where heroes originated as underdogs without many of their typical advantages seen in the primary DC Universe. To that end, Kal-El’s Superman certainly looks to be the most compelling underdog introduced thus far, while redefining what it means to be a true Man of Steel.

Coming from Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval, Absolute Superman #1 tackles the sizable challenge of debuting an entirely new origin and continuity for this new version of Kal-El. Not only is his upbringing very different from what’s come before in the main DC Universe but Absolute Superman’s powers and motivations are quite distinct as well. To that end, the first issue of Absolute Superman makes the strong case that this series will have much more to offer rather than simply being just another cool What If…?/Elseworlds story.

Absolute Superman Goes Beyond A Cool “What If…”

It’s A Unique Character Study Rivaling The Original

In Absolute Superman #1, Kal-El serves as both narrator and protagonist, beginning by offering insight into what his homeworld of Krypton was like before it was destroyed. This context is quite crucial, seeing how this Krypton was very different, adhering to a strict caste system where Kal’s parents, while scientifically gifted, were both relegated to the lowest labor class rather than the top-tier science guild due to their opposing and unorthodox views. Nevertheless, laborers like Superman’s parents were identified as such by the “El” sigil, though they also took pride in their status with the name “The People of Steel”.

Likewise, Absolute Superman #1 also reveals that Kal himself had a childhood with his parents on Krypton before he was sent away. This means that he got to see what Krypton was like and had the chance to live among his people before leaving for Earth following his world’s demise. As such, the rest of the issue shows how that experience has shaped this new Kal-El into a very different kind of Superman, the likes of whom has never been seen before.

To that end, this first chapter alone sets an exciting foundation for what will likely be an ongoing character study and origin to rival the original Superman story. At the same time, it’s also subverting that original narrative in some very exciting ways. While elements like the Els being working class farmers/engineers who raise Kal rather than the Kents on Earth give the series the expected What If…?/Elseworlds flair, it’s already been shown that the series intends to go much deeper as this ongoing series continues.

Absolute Superman Is A Whole New Way Of Being The Man of Steel

A Fugitive Alien Looking To Prevent His Own World’s Mistakes

As seen on Earth, Absolute Superman #1 sees Kal-El as a long traveler who visits various sweatshops, mines, and more corrupt operations run by the massive Lazarus Corporation. Wearing a suit of living armor known as Sol who helps Kal regulate his powers as a living solar battery, Absolute Superman looks to be simultaneously more powerful, volatile, and vulnerable compared to the OG Man of Steel as he seeks to help and give aid to those whom the company is overworking and abusing. Kal also works to disrupt Lazarus’ many business practices that threaten the world.

Following this first issue, Absolute Superman’s motives and methods feel far more personal and tragic, seeing as how this Kal-El is quite literally looking to prevent Earth from suffering the same fate that destroyed his own world, having fallen due to similar greed over resources. In both powers and purpose, Absolute Superman is a whole new way of being the Man of Steel. While it doesn’t inherently discount the motives and all the good the original Superman has achieved in the main DC Universe, it has enough depth to stand on its own as an equally compelling means of fighting for truth and justice.

A Compelling Redefinition Of The World’s Most Well-Known Superhero

It will be fascinating to dive further into upcoming issues of Absolute Superman. Previews and solicitations have teased that the events that led to Krypton’s demise will continue to unfold, having already been confirmed as the result of over-mining resources and what looks to be planet-wide destruction due to an unstable core and eruptions of deadly Kryptonite-infused magma. Likewise, Superman’s war with Lazarus has only just begun, not to mention that Lois Lane herself is one of their agents as seen at the end of Absolute Superman #1. To that end, there’s so much to get excited about with his dynamic redefinition of DC’s Superman.

Absolute Superman #1 is on sale now from DC Comics.