This summer saw the cinematic debut of a new Superman, with a film that not only embodies the optimism and hope of that character that we haven’t seen in a long time, but also the start of a new cinematic universe based on the pages of DC Comics. While it seems that people are excited for Superman, there is another version of the Man of Steel that debuted last year as part of the publisher’s Absolute Universe, which puts a more tragic spin on the most iconic American superhero.
By this point, everyone knows Superman’s origin story, which has been told countless times in comics and other media, and whilst numerous creators have put their own tweaks, the principals stayed intact, most notably that he was a baby when he was sent to Earth and raised by Kansas farmers. Written by Jason Aaron who previously did a story arc for Action Comics, there are some notable changes throughout the first volume of Absolute Superman, but as for our titular hero, he arrives on Earth as an adolescent rather than an infant, which adds a whole new perspective.
Jumping back and forth between his upbringing in a dying Krypton and his current surroundings on Earth, you have a young Kal-El developing during his formative years as he becomes more aware of what is happening around him, developing fears from an internal and external matter. Despite the love of his biological parents, Krypton was defined by class issues with the higher-ups ignoring the warnings from his parents Jor-El and Lara, both of whom were banished from the Science League for questioning their authority.
During his time on Earth, where he witnesses the mistreatment towards miners by the villainous Lazarus Corporation through their work camps, he is driven by the anger and trauma that he felt when he lost his home world, that he is willing to help those in need, even if his emotions can get the better of him. Kal-El's actions as Superman seem to be an update of when the character was a social crusader during the Siegel/Shuster years, battling the likes of big business corruption and war mongers.
While I think this version of Superman is a compelling character, there are times when he is not the main character with his parents carrying most of the emotional baggage during the Krypton flashbacks, whilst Agent Lois Lane steps out of Lazarus’ orders to come up with a full report on Superman and seeing the good he is committing. There are sections where he provides a lot of narration, but it’s the final issue where we delve into his difficulties in Smallville where he can’t get hold of his newly developed powers, despite the loving care from Jonathan and Martha Kent.
Considering that Superman’s origins were partly inspired by pulp sci-fi, Absolute Superman leans hard on the science-fiction, with a great deal of Krypton being displayed, from the many environments, classes of Kryptonian status to diverse creatures, including Krypto the Superdog. While Superman still has the powers you all know, there is a more sci-fi approach to his costume, which is actually a spacesuit that spawns its cape (a bit like Spawn), as well as its A.I. to help guide out, which is a positive contrast compared to the negative use of artificial intelligence that plays out as a recurring theme. With a great deal of sci-fi action that makes great use of Superman’s powers as he battles Lazarus’ Peacemakers, this is a visually dazzling book from artist Rafa Sandoval and guest artist Carmine Di Giandomenico.
This is probably the weakest of the first Absolute titles, but the darker and tragic spin on the Superman mythos is an emotionally powerful story, packed with a strong emphasis on science-fiction and an ongoing mystery that twists up familiar elements of the DC universe.