I Love Absolute Superman

Warning: this article contains spoilers for ‘Absolute Superman’ issues #1-16. I’d recommend reading the comic before this post. Please support your local merchants by buying from your nearest comic book store. Thank you!

After catching up on ‘Absolute Batman’, I was left starved for more. I went on to devour the first fifteen issues of ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’; after seeing her wielding a greatsword atop a skeletal Pegasus, I had to see what was going on. I’ll definitely be reviewing that once I pick up issue #16.

The only thing to do after that was to finish the trifecta with Superman. Though I’ll admit, I hesitated for a little while. See, Superman is my favorite super hero. But I’ve seen so many versions that completely misunderstand the character that I’ve gotten a little picky. The out-of-context panels I saw were intense, brutal, and grim. Some reminded me of the evil Supermen I’ve gotten so tired of. Not at all like the Big Blue Boyscout I adore.

But context is important, and I had none of that. What I did have was assurances that my first impressions were incorrect. That this was still the heartfelt and uplifting Superman I know and love. So I set my fears aside and started reading.

Before I started, a good friend warned me that this was a slow read. And boy howdy, they were not wrong. To put it into perspective: the first arcs of ‘Absolute Batman’ and ‘Absolute Wonder Woman’ last from issues #1-5 each. The first arc of ‘Absolute Superman’ bridges issues #1-14.

Personally, I think this is for the best. Better a story take its time to explore the world and characters than to rush toward the ‘cool part’ ASAP. It makes the payoff at the end so much more satisfying. With that being said, I do feel that this first arc dragged on just a little bit too long. Some sequences feel a bit repetitive, especially on Krypton.

Which seems like a good place to start. In most Superman stories, I find Krypton to be one of the more boring elements. But that was not the case here.

Unlike the standard version of the character, this Kal El actually grew up on Krypton. Through his eyes, we see how corrupt Kryptonian society is. The Els are not high-ranking scientists, but common farmers living off a dying land. But Jor and Lara make the best of their lives, wearing their symbol of oppression with pride. Man of Steel is no longer just a title; it’s an important aspect of Kryptonian culture. One that Kal El would share with the people of Earth.

Watching this poor kid witness Krypton’s death is heartbreaking. Through his eyes, we get to see just how beautiful his home planet truly was. He doesn’t want to ascend the rotten ladder and join the upper class; he just wants to live in the countryside. Playing with his dog, gazing into the sunset. Then, quick as a blink, it’s all gone. It, and everyone he ever knew or loved.

Fresh off that tragedy, Kal El has to endure the journey to Earth. A mind-numbing trek across thousands of light years. Trapped in a small, confined space. Utterly alone. No food to eat but nutrient paste. His only company, an AI companion, Sol, incapable of understanding his despair. After enduring this for years, Kal completely gives up and begs for the release of death.

Until…

Just for a bit, I had hope that things might get better for the poor kid. I mean, he lands right where he needs to be with Ma and Pa Kent! We got a lot of beautiful vistas, and some incredibly sweet character beats between the three. Kal El even starts to smile again. For a little while, it got me thinking everything would be just fine.

But it’s not allowed to last. Lazarus, a military-terrorist corporation, moves in to try and capture the unknown alien, forcing Kal El to flee. When next we see the Kents, Pa is already dead, and Ma is battling dementia in the hospital. Superman’s safest space, and even that gets torn away.

This is, by far, the most grim take on Superman I have ever seen. Clark cannot catch a single break in this comic. While his powers are a gift for humanity, to him, they’re a curse. His heat vision is shown repeatedly to hurt him. His super hearing gives him no reprieve from the millions of voices crying out for help every second of every day. People are constantly trying to kill him, worship him, or turn him into a weapon of mass destruction.

Yet for all that misery and despair, he always chooses to be kind. He rejects anger and vengeance for hope and forgiveness. Both the innocent and the guilty of Earth try to make this quiet, lonely kid into a monster. Instead, he rises above the darkness and guides them back into the sun. For all the brutality, he still stands for truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.

This. This right here. This is why Superman will always be my favorite.

It certainly helps that he’s still an adorable dork.

Of course, you can’t have a Superman without a Lois Lane. This time around, she’s a soldier Lazarus. They own her father’s prosthetic legs; if she doesn’t obey, Sam Lane goes back to the wheelchair. Caught in a corrupt military force, she does what she can to minimize the harm done to civilians. But when she meets the Last Son of Krypton, she is inspired to fight back with the ultimate weapon: the truth.

Personally, I’m not a big fan of this Lois so far. She hasn’t had nearly enough time to build any sort of relationship with Clark. The one relationship she does have, with her father, is short lived and underdeveloped (sorry, Sam.) But her character is going in the right direction. Now that she’s working at a dying Daily Planet, I have confidence that she’s really going to start shining soon.

I have none of these problems with Jimmy Olsen. He’s not as funny as I would like, but he’s still a wonderful character. Everyone sees Superman as either a monster to be tamed or some divine savior. Everyone but Jimmy; he treats Clark like a regular guy, which is exactly what he needs after all his trauma. Their friendship is really sweet. I can’t wait to see more of it.

We also get our first glimpse at Lana Lang. She hasn’t had much time in the limelight yet, but she’s made one hell of an impression. A friendly country girl who always keeps a shotgun close at hand, who brings out the best in everyone around her. They’ve only shared one scene together, but her chemistry with Clark is already very strong. I only hope we don’t fall into the usual obnoxious love-triangle tropes.

Chances of that happening seem pretty low. Jason Aaron has proven himself as a writer, and Chris Conroy is clearly a decent editor. They’re clearly setting something up with Clark, Lois, and Lana. I only hope it doesn’t take the least interesting route.

On the subject of interesting: let’s talk about the villains.

Our first major bad guy of the run is not usually one of Superman’s: Ra’s al Ghul. This enormous viking in a suit is determined to shape the Man of Steel into the Son of the Demon, a monster that would make the world tremble. He certainly looks amazing, and he’s menacing as hell. Personally, I think he overstays his welcome just a little bit. But I do love how Clark ultimately defeats him not through violence, but forgiveness; it’s a very fitting and satisfying defeat for this version of Ra’s.

Talia is… also here. She doesn’t really make much of an impression. Maybe she’ll come back later for a stronger appearance. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if she doesn’t. Sorry, but I’ve never been a Talia fan.

The real star among the villains so far is Brainiac. Holy hell, this is one of the most terrifying versions of the character I’ve ever seen! Whereas most Brainiacs are calm, calculating machines, this one is a vicious, insane psychopath. He talks about heinous torture with the same calm detachment he does with the weather. He miniaturizes entire cities to lord over them like a god, crushing them and everyone in them at the smallest hint of displeasure.

I love the parallels this story draws between him and Clark. Like Superman, he endured a lifetime of loneliness, horror, and suffering. But unlike our hero, Brainiac took all the wrong lessons from it. Whereas Clark wants to live a humble, ordinary life, Brainiac wants to be worshiped. Superman sees it as his responsibility to protect humanity, while Brainiac takes sadistic pleasure in tormenting them. It’s a perfect hero-villain dynamic, and I cannot wait to see how it’s further developed in arcs to come.

So far, those are the only three baddies we’ve gotten to see. But the future is already looking exciting. Next issue will see Superman battle against the Parasite for the first time, and we’re building up towards a very interesting take on Lex Luthor. In the future, I’d love to see this team’s take on Bizarro, Toy Man, or Mxyzptlk. Whatever may be in store, I’m sure it will be incredible.

To wrap this up, I want to celebrate the art. Drawn by Rafa Sandoval, colored by Ulises Arreola, with lettering done by Becca Carey, this whole comic looks amazing! The colors are so vibrant they almost pop off the page. All the character designs are really cool. There are so many pages in this comic that had my jaw on the floor.

I especially love how overwhelming Superman’s powers are in this version. His heat vision isn’t a concentrated laser; it’s a full-on solar explosion! Instead of the standard cape, he has this red dust shroud that he can use to attack, or more often: defend the innocent. The art team creates some truly stunning imagery using these abilities. This might be the most badass take on Superman I have ever seen.

Man, I can’t wait for him to cross-over with the other Absolute heroes. Especially Wonder Woman. With all of Clark’s issues, she’ll make a great therapist for him. And Batman… dude, an Absolute World’s Finest would go so hard!

Even if Supes is, like, two feet shorter than both of them.

‘Absolute Superman’ is one of the best modern Superman stories I’ve read so far. For as grim and brutal as it can be, it is still brimming with hope and optimism. This is a phenomenal take on the character, and I cannot wait to read more. I can’t recommend this comic enough.

Thank you very much for reading. This one turned out a lot longer than I initially planned, so I appreciate you getting to the end. Until next time, stay safe, and have a super day.

Yes, I know that was cheesy as hell. No, I am not apologizing.