Absolute Superman Shows the Harsh Truth of His Most Underrated Power

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Superman is famous for his amazing powers. He began with just super strength and toughness, but soon gained abilities like flying, X-ray vision, and heightened senses – and the list goes on. Since his first appearance, he’s been the ultimate example of a superhero. However, despite how incredible his powers are, they often mask a more complicated and troubling truth. While comics usually gloss over the downsides of such powers, some stories delve into what it would actually be like to have both the gifts and the burdens that Superman carries.

Superman’s incredible strength means he constantly has to be careful not to accidentally hurt people. Similarly, his heat vision is tied to his feelings, forcing him to control his anger to avoid causing destruction. But perhaps the most disturbing thing about Superman is his ability to hear everything happening anywhere on Earth. A recent comic, Absolute Superman #15, explored just how overwhelming and terrifying that power would actually be, revealing it to be both his biggest strength and his greatest weakness.

Hearing Everything All At Once

The fifteenth issue opens with Superman restoring the Kent farm, a place he hoped would honor the family he always wanted. However, he’s constantly interrupted by crises around the globe. The world is a large and troubled place, and even Superman can’t be everywhere at once, but he does his best to help where he can. While single-handedly holding back a collapsing dam, he monitors reports of disasters, injustice, and exploitation, prioritizing which emergencies require his immediate intervention. He confronts Winslow Schott, a businessman exploiting workers for profit, making it clear he won’t tolerate such behavior.

Superman once confessed to Lana Lang that his superhearing was a constant burden. He couldn’t escape the sounds of people suffering – even while performing rescues, like saving a ship from a storm, he’d simultaneously hear other disasters unfolding. Ignoring the cries for help felt impossible, but no matter how many problems he solved, the overwhelming noise continued. He’d even fly high into the atmosphere to scream in frustration, but couldn’t silence the constant barrage of distress calls. This illustrates the painful reality of his superhearing – a power often overlooked, yet fundamentally crucial to who Superman is, despite its drawbacks.

A Hellish Pain Turned To Unlimited Hope

It’s a terrible burden for someone as caring as Superman to constantly be aware of all the suffering happening worldwide that he can’t fix. While others only experience hardship locally, Superman hears the pain of everyone, everywhere. This ability is truly awful, but it also perfectly represents what makes Superman – and especially his most powerful form – so heroic.

Superman is defined by his constant awareness of human suffering – he can’t ignore the pain and cries for help. Despite witnessing so much hardship and knowing he can’t save everyone, he relentlessly strives to do his best. He tirelessly battles never-ending problems, refusing to give in because he believes every life is worth fighting for. This very ability to hear the world’s pain is what empowers him to save so many. Superman transformed a terrible burden into an unparalleled gift for helping others, and that’s at the heart of who he is. He focuses on the good, even in the darkest moments, and will continue to work towards a safer world without ever giving up.

Absolute Superman #15 is on sale now!

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2026-01-10 17:42