I Had My Doubts, But Absolute Superman Truly Understands the Man of Steel

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Absolute Superman #1!Any skepticisms I had towards DC’s newest Superman were immediately put to bed. After months of waiting, Absolute Superman #1 has finally hit the shelves and I have to say, I’m happy to see that it really understands what makes DC’s greatest hero work.

The DC Universe is filled with countless Superman variants, but thanks to Darkseid, a brand-new Man of Steel has been born in the harsh, hopeless Absolute Universe. It’s a world built on the New God’s energy, one where turmoil and challenge reign supreme. But thankfully, it has a Superman who keeps the spirit of hope alive.

Absolute Superman #1 Reveals a Different Kal-El, But Keeps What Works

Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval

In Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola, and Becca Carey, a flashback reveals the planet Krypton in its heyday. Though it was a world of advanced science and technology, it was a regressive society that was built on an oppressive class system where laborers were looked down on. Unfortunately, because of Jor-El’s role in the labor guild, no one heeded his warnings when he discovered that Krypton was dying and its people were in serious danger.

Years later on Earth in Brazil, a company known as the Lazarus Corporation is exploiting the workers of a mine. But Kal-El, who’s only been on Earth for a short time, is aiding the workers by mining for them. However, this catches the attention of the Peacemakers, Lazarus’ soldiers, who beat the workers until they discover Kal-El’s location. Thankfully, Sol, the artificial intelligence inside Kal-El’s suit kicks in and Superman confronts the Peacemakers in a head-on confrontation.

Kal-El easily tears through the Peacemakers, even with technology that Sol determines is from other worlds. However, the Peacemakers retreat while Lazarus’ elite army, the Phenomena Field Team, emerges to capture Kal-El at the behest of Lazarus Corporation’s Director. Against Sol’s wishes, Superman fires his heat vision to protect the exploited workers. Unfortunately, he expends too much energy and the Phenomena Field Team catches up to him and Agent Lois Lane captures Superman. Elsewhere, a mysterious figure with several bottled cities watches Superman’s public debut, contemplating the exciting possibilities that could come with this new alien.

Where DC’s Newest Superman Came From and What Sets Him Apart from Clark Kent

Darkseid is Responsible for this New Superman

The DC Universe went through a really harrowing experience in its most recent summer event, Absolute Power. While Amanda Waller de-powered heroes en masse, she also built a multiversal gate, intent on bringing her law and order to the neighboring Earths. Thankfully, the heroes shut it down, but it resulted in the Prime DC Universe becoming permanently separated from the rest of the multiverse. As bad as that was, this separation caused Darkseid’s power to coalesce in one form, making him grow restless.

Unable to deal with this change to the multiverse, Darkseid began traversing the DC Universe until he found the Spectre and fused with him in the hopes of becoming more powerful. Spectre transported them both to the Justice League’s new and improved Watchtower, where Darkseid was attacked by numerous heroes. During the battle, the two were separated and Darkseid’s physical body was destroyed, but his energy created a rift through space-time and found a home in the young and impressionable Elseworld.

As the energy settled on this new world, the alternate Earth’s timeline became influenced by Darkseid’s principles. This world was colder and harsher and while it had familiar heroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, they lacked many of the things their Prime counterparts have, like Bruce Wayne’s wealth or Diana’s Amazon community. According to Darkseid, hope still exists in this world, but unlike the Prime Universe, the beloved DC heroes are going to have to conquer greater challenges if they want hope to live.

Despite a Darker World, Absolute Superman Keeps Hope Alive

Different History, Same Man of Steel

I’ll admit, when DC Comics announced its plans for the Absolute line of titles, I was somewhat ambivalent. Not that I didn’t believe in the idea, but I was curious how much they could scrub off my all-time favorite hero and still keep him the same. Granted, like Batman and Wonder Woman, the changes aren’t that different, but still, given the nature of the Absolute Universe, I had some concerns. But this issue really did prove that, above all else, the creative team truly understands what makes Superman work.

I really love how this story frames Kal-El as a genuine, working-class hero. His family was labor guild and now he spends his days fighting for the rights and freedoms of exploited workers. It very much ties into Superman’s early, Golden Age roots when he would fight corrupt politicians and robber barons. Not to mention, this book really hammers home Clark’s greatest power. Not his heat vision or super-strength, but his empathy towards other people. I feel silly for ever doubting his book, because with just one issue, it hit every aspect that truly defines Superman.

The Absolute Universe is a fun experiment that sees what the core of these characters is. Don’t get me wrong, I wish the Kents were here, and we got to see this spiffy new Kal-El working in Metropolis. But it’s far more important that we know that even though Kal-El doesn’t have a home or the bonds that we love, he’s still Superman. What’s really important is presenting Superman as a hero that never gives up when fighting exploitative forces and is prepared to risk everything to save innocent lives and that’s exactly what we got here.

Do Not Miss Absolute Superman #1

Available Now from DC Comics

I’ve been pleasantly surprised by each of the Absolute titles, and the one I’ve been most impressed by was Absolute Superman. While there’s clearly a lot the creative team has in mind for DC’s new Man of Steel, I’m confident in saying that this book did everything it needed to set up one of the most pivotal Superman stories DC Comics has put out in years. Fans who are curious are almost certainly going to want to do themselves a favor and pick up a copy to see what works with DC’s amazing new Superman.

Absolute Superman #1 is available now from DC Comics.