As a longtime fan of Superman, I was genuinely intrigued by Absolute Superman #1. The creative team has certainly taken a fresh approach to the Man of Steel, delving deep into his complexities and contradictions. It’s refreshing to see a more conflicted Superman, one who grapples with his relationship with Earth and faces adversaries on multiple fronts.
In this article, we’ll explore the latest addition to DC’s Trinity with the arrival of Absolute Superman. Similar to Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman, there are numerous alterations to the traditional origin story that fans have grown accustomed to. Furthermore, there are significant modifications to the broader mythology, supporting characters, and Superman’s current bond with Earth. We’ll delve into these changes, highlighting the most substantial ones and discussing the aspects that have undergone a drastic transformation in one place. From here on out, we’ll be discussing full spoilers.
Krypton
The transformations on Krypton began long ago, giving us an overhead perspective of its social hierarchy. At the summit of this structure resides the Science League. Unlike in the initial narrative, Kal-El’s parents, Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van, do not belong to this elite class. Instead, they are members of Krypton’s lowest stratum, the Laborers Guild, symbolized by the emblem S. They are also known as the “Steel Folk”.
It’s clear that both Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van were initially meant to be part of the League, but powerful forces prevented their involvement due to their opposition to Krypton’s government. Lara, who was destined for greatness from a young age, saw her prospects change dramatically when she wrote a critique at the age of 9 about insufficient funding for interstellar exploration. Her essay drew attention as being unruly, and she was subsequently barred from ever applying to the science academy.
At his graduation ceremony, instead of securing a top-tier position as expected, Jor-El, now an esteemed engineer within the Geological Engineering division, chose to criticize the Science League’s disregard for environmental sustainability during his speech. He highlighted their ruthless exploitation of Krypton’s natural resources, and how such actions were putting the planet in danger. Unfortunately, this stance was met with ridicule at the ceremony, leading to a swift loss of his position and status afterwards.
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As Jor’s standing within Kryptonian society evolves, he remains vigilant about the fate of Krypton and observes the grim onset of its demise deep within the mines. Although Krypton’s destruction isn’t fully underway yet, it has already claimed lives in another narrative twist, and in a particularly gruesome manner.
Last Son of Krypton
In the revised origin tale, there’s a significant shift concerning Kal-El. Unlike the initial story where he’s merely an infant as Krypton is destroyed and later lands on Earth, this new version portrays Kal as being older when Krypton is nearing its end. This alteration greatly impacts his early life experiences and relationships with his Kryptonian heritage.
In the initial publication, there isn’t a specific age mentioned for him, but it’s clear he’s much older than one might initially assume – perhaps around 12 or 13 years old, though this could be an underestimate. However, his age could potentially fall outside of that range too. One thing is certain: Kal shares a strong bond with both of his parents, as they all embrace warmly when Jor-El returns home safely after a perilous incident involving the planet’s deterioration.
The Kent Farm
In the original tale, Kent Farm, an emblematic location, is where Kal, after crashing on Earth, grows up alongside the Kents. Currently, the farm appears run-down; the house seems neglected and vacant, while the barn exhibits signs of decay and even sports a large hole in its roof.
Kent’s mailbox remains standing, though it’s dented and appears to have been abandoned for a while now. This state might be due to the climactic moment in this scene, where a sign out front declares “Property of Lazarus Corp”. The Kents seem to reside within this universe, but their current location is uncertain, along with the circumstances that led to Lazarus claiming their property, and if they’ve had any encounters with Kal since his arrival on Earth.
Relationship to Earth
Over the passage of time, I’ve come to call Earth my home, yet I find myself grappling with complex emotions about this newfound residence. In the story that was first written, I was nurtured on Earth and thus cultivated a deep affection and respect for its inhabitants. However, in this current narrative, it appears that sentiment is not reciprocated.
In a new twist, we encounter a Superman grappling with his complicated feelings towards Earth, as he navigates his uncertain position while evading relentless pursuit by the Lazarus Corporation. The reasons behind their hunt and the details of their past encounters remain largely unclear at this point, but we gradually piece together more information later on.
Familiar Faces
In this issue, two well-known characters opposed to Superman make their first appearance. Later, when Superman is found, Lazarus sends their Phenomena Field Team to deal with him, and they successfully knock him down. A fight ensues between them, during which Superman uses his heat vision (which we’ll discuss further soon), but he is eventually surrounded by a task force determined to capture him. Things take an unexpected turn when one of the agents appears out of nowhere and handcuffs herself to Superman, revealing herself as none other than Lois Lane, who works for Lazarus.
Another well-known figure works for Lazarus, specifically within their Research and Development sector, and that person is revealed to be Brainiac. He often appears with his brain exposed and connected to numerous devices, and surrounding him are what seem like miniaturized cities or beings in containers, emitting cries of distress or pleas for help. All video screens display live feeds of Superman, and it’s evident that Brainiac is intrigued by this latest figure.
The Powers
In this story, while we’ll delve deeper into the details at a later stage, it’s worth noting that many of Superman’s core abilities resurface. This ensemble includes X-ray vision, superhuman strength, speed, invulnerability, and heat vision. However, what sets things apart in this instance is that his costume serves as a sort of artificial intelligence, offering guidance and advice. Furthermore, the suit is instrumental in supplying him with solar energy.
It appears that Superman’s process was interrupted by an ambush, which suggests his power levels are currently reduced because he didn’t get a complete recharge. Additionally, he hasn’t mastered all of his powers completely, as demonstrated in a heated scene later. So far, Freeze Breath and flight haven’t resurfaced, but they might in future installments. Despite retaining his powers, Superman’s connection with them and how he employs them has undergone a significant transformation. It remains unclear to what extent the suit is connected to these powers as well.
“Were your thoughts about Absolute Superman #1 positive? Feel free to discuss anything related to comics and DC on Threads or Twitter at @mattaguilarcb!
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2024-11-08 06:40