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Since his first comic book appearance in 1938, Superman has captivated the imaginations of several generations. But while he was already known around the world at the time, when Christopher Reeve brought the character to life in the theatrical film, Superman (1978), directed by Richard Donner, the character became the most famous superhero on the planet.
Since Reeve’s iconic portrayal, numerous actors have slipped into the red cape and blue bodysuit. Brandon Routh (Superman Returns), Tom Welling (Smallville), and Henry Cavill (the DC Universe film series) are just a few stars to have transformed into Superman, and soon, David Corenswet (Twisters) will become the latest star to jump into a public call box and awkwardly slip into the most recognizable superhero outfit in the world, in the upcoming film SUPERMAN, which is being directed by James Gunn and will mark the beginning of a brand-new DC Universe timeline, rendering all previous films, from 2013’s Man of Steel to last year’s Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, defunct.
With that said, the first Superman film under DC Studios’ new banner has already arrived (click here for our spoiler-free review).
Credit: DC / Warner Bros.
Related: New DC Universe ‘Superman’ Movie Arrives: Spoiler-Free Review
But while James Gunn’s film is still in development, with a theatrical release set for July 11, 2025, DC has already unleashed a bold Superman reboot with “Absolute Superman,” a comic book series that forms part of the wider all-new Absolute Universe from DC Comics.
Releasing alongside “Absolute Superman” are “Absolute Batman” and “Absolute Wonder Woman,” each series eventually comprising of five issues, with more “Absolute” re-imaginings including “Absolute Flash” and “Absolute Green Lantern” and on the way.
Credit: DC Comics
Related: DC’s Brand-New ‘SUPERMAN’ Movie Gets First Official Trailer
The new Batman and Wonder Woman comics are brave and bold retellings of the iconic DC superheroes. Bruce Wayne is no longer a billionaire playboy–he’s a city engineer who hails from Crime Alley whose close-knit circle of friends includes members of the Rogues Gallery. And Diana Prince/Wonder Woman didn’t grow up in Themyscira–she was raised in Hell.
“Absolute Superman” is no exception. Rather than landing on Earth as a boy, Kal-El arrives on a dystopian version of our world as a young man.
But that’s not all that’s changed–similarly to Batman, whose chest-emblem now doubles as an ax blade and Batmobile is now some sort of earth-burrowing bulldozer, everything from Superman’s red-and-blue suit to his God-like powers are enormously different.
Credit: DC Comics
Related: DCU ‘Batman’ Reboot Unveils Jaw-Dropping New Batcave
While the first issue was packed full of surprises, revealing that Kal-El’s suit is actually some form of sentient artificial intelligence, and that he needs to recharge his powers, “Absolute Superman” #2, released on December 4, features a shocking twist about his iconic red cape.
Instead of being made from an actual fabric, as depicted in every version of Superman up until now, in this reimagined universe, his cape is made from Krypton dust, which acts as a sort of nano-tech byproduct of his AI suit. In other words, the Man of Steel’s cape, which has a sort of sentient mist effect, is made from the literal ashes of his dead planet.
Naturally, fans are reacting–positively, might we add–on X (formerly Twitter):
@mofromyt is almost lost for words at this thrilling new reveal:
absolute superman’s cape has a mist effect because he’s “wearing the ashes of his dead world.” WOAH.
absolute superman’s cape has a mist effect because he’s “wearing the ashes of his dead world.” WOAH. pic.twitter.com/EkouMRzL61
— mo (@mofromyt) August 6, 2024
@TheSupheroScoop says that DC is “really going all out” with the new Absolute Universe:
Superman‘s cape in ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN is made of a “nanotech-ish” material called dust and His suit is apparently both a spacesuit and a rocketship. they’re really going all out on this absolute universe
Superman’s cape in ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN is made of a “nanotech-ish” material called dustand His suit is apparently both a spacesuit and a rocketship. they’re really going all out on this absolute universe😁#absolutesuperman pic.twitter.com/JzwQZXRMI0
— TheSuperheroScoop (@TheSupheroScoop) December 7, 2024
@SuperSonOfKalEl also loves this bold new concept:
The dust is crazy man, I love it! #AbsoluteSuperman
The dust is crazy man, I love it! #AbsoluteSuperman pic.twitter.com/Ro2WarNm0c
— Logan 🖖🏻⏳💣🏳️🌈 (@SuperSonOfKalEl) December 4, 2024
Earlier this year, however, Superman fans weren’t so kind when the first image of David Corenswet’s portrayal was released, with many criticizing the style of the costume and the overall shot of Clark Kent putting on his boots while the city behind him is under attack:
@SpaceMonkey000, who thinks the new costume looks like “a cheap Superman Halloween sweater from Target”, echoes the sentiments of many fans:
It looks like a cheap Superman Halloween sweater from Target. Hopefully, it looks better in motion.
It looks like a cheap Superman Halloween sweater from Target. Hopefully, it looks better in motion.
— SpaceMonkey (@SpaceMonkey0009) May 6, 2024
However, reactions are mostly mixed. The main point of criticism is how loose-fitting the suit appears to be, while others are disappointed that Henry Cavill’s portrayal, as seen in the Zack Snyder films, Man of Steel (2013), Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), and Justice League (2021), has been abandoned in favour of yet another reboot.
Fortunately, there’s always “Absolute Superman” to fall back on until we get the first trailer for James Gunn’s SUPERMAN. While these daring new iterations of DC’s heroes are very different to the more traditional ones, it’s not like these characters–or any other superhero for that matter, whether from DC or Marvel–have ever really stayed the same.
Per DC Comics, here’s the official synopsis for “Absolute Superman” #2:
“The Lazarus Corporation sent their most battle-hardened crew of Peacemakers to locate the mysterious fugitive interfering with their mining operations—but they weren’t expecting one motor-mouthed, iron-willed woman to be the one to finally get the cuffs onto him!”
“Absolute Superman,” “Absolute Batman,” and “Absolute Wonder Woman” issues one and two are on sale now. Each series will collect five issues. “Absolute Flash,” “Absolute Green Lantern,” and “Absolute Martian Manhunter” are set to arrive in March, 2025.
James Gunn’s SUPERMAN releases on July 11, 2025.
Have you read “Absolute Superman” yet? Let us know in the comments!
“}]] The cape was created using AI… #AbsoluteSuperman #AbsoluteBatman #AbsoluteWonderWoman #DCComics #SUPERMAN #JamesGunn #Superman #Batman #WonderWoman Read More