DC’s New Absolute Superman Already Deserves A Movie

by

As a lifelong fan of Superman and someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of DC Comics, I find myself captivated by the prospect of an “Absolute Superman” movie adaptation. This new incarnation of the Man of Steel presents a fresh, gritty take on the iconic hero that feels both familiar and utterly unique.

In full action, DC’s expansive “Absolute Universe” unfolds, hinting that the character of Absolute Superman could make a fantastic cinematic appearance. This universe was launched as part of DC Comics’ DC All-In narrative, which introduces Earth-Alpha, an alternate reality that mirrors the Earth-Omega universe. In this parallel world, the new universe is born from “Darkseid energy,” making it a much more ominous place with darker incarnations of DC’s iconic superheroes.

The third book in the Absolute Universe series is titled “Absolute Superman“. This follows “Absolute Batman” and “Absolute Wonder Woman“, all offering strikingly different portrayals of DC Comics’ Trinity. Particularly, the revamped version of Superman in “Absolute Superman” has shown such a captivating depiction that it seems ripe for cinematic adaptation. Indeed, it’s not unreasonable to imagine this could happen someday.

Absolute Superman Completely Re-Invents Superman’s Backstory

Read moreHunt: Showdown Permanently Gets Cheaper, but With a Catch

In “Absolute Superman,” Kal-El lands on Earth as a grown man instead of an infant, and was never adopted by Jonathan and Martha Kent (hence, Clark Kent was never his human name). Furthermore, the storyline of “Absolute Superman” establishes Kal-El’s altruistic intentions based on a more ominous parallel he perceives between Earth and Krypton during its decline – specifically, the oppressive working conditions that exploit labor.

In the world of Krypton, I’ve noticed a stark division between the rich and poor, a chasm that seems to widen day by day. As a common miner, I’ve experienced firsthand the callous disregard of the ruling class towards us laborers, viewing our lives as disposable in their quest for power and wealth. In this story, Jor-El, a fellow miner like myself, unearths the dire truth that Krypton is doomed, working under hazardous conditions and receiving meager payment alongside my brethren.

As soon as Kal-El landed on Earth, he noticed that Earth’s corporations were treating their employees unfairly to boost profits, just like he had witnessed on Krypton. This sparked Kal-El to take up the role of a covert champion for Earth’s oppressed and destitute. The debut issue of Absolute Superman, #1, portrays Superman, the Last Son of Krypton, standing up for the workers in a Brazilian mine against the merciless Lazarus corporation and their Peacekeeper enforcers.

Read moreDeadpool & Wolverine Director Reveals What Part of Making Sequel Was Most Fun

In my opinion, as a movie reviewer, “Superman: A New Reality” presents an intriguing take on the iconic hero. Unlike before, this Superman isn’t a lone vigilante. Instead, he’s equipped with a Kryptonian AI that not only warns him of impending danger but also amplifies his powers on Earth, even utilizing a protective substance called Sunstone Dust.

Absolute Superman Has Huge Cinematic Potential

In the expansive DC Universe, the character known as Absolute Superman is poised for a prolonged comic book journey. The possibilities for a film adaptation hinge on how dramatically his fresh origins deviate from reader expectations. While Superman has previously been depicted as a secluded outsider in comics, such as in the DC graphic novel series “Superman: Earth One,” Absolute Superman transforms the Man of Steel into a Kryptonian version of Robin Hood. This new portrayal offers an opportunity to explore Superman from an unprecedented cinematic perspective, focusing on labor exploitation and the treatment of workers as disposable resources in a ruthless capitalist system.

The AI-upgraded Kryptonian suit in Superman adds a fantastic detail to the graphic novel “Absolute Superman“. As artificial intelligence continues to play a significant role in various aspects of our contemporary world, including cinema, this adaptation could present one of the most innovative takes on Superman yet. By featuring a Kryptonian A.I. suit as a prominent character, an “Absolute Superman” movie would address the theme of AI and technology overreach directly.

Read moreDespicable Me 4 Holds Box Office Lead, Longlegs Stuns

Incorporating Lois Lane into any new Superman narrative is always one of its crucial foundations. The reimagining of Lois in “Absolute Superman” is just as substantial as the reinvention of Superman himself. This portrayal not only positions Lois within the labor struggles that Superman is combating, but also sets them at odds from the start. In a Superman film where Kal-El and Lois Lane initially clash, anything could happen – much like what one might expect in an “Absolute Superman” adaptation.

How An Absolute Superman Movie Could Happen

Although a movie or TV series based on an “Absolute Superman” might not be possible for James Gunn’s upcoming DC Universe, the Elseworlds division of DC Studios presents a different opportunity. In fact, Gunn has recently reaffirmed his dedication to producing Elseworlds DC films and shows. During his conversation with Josh Horowitz on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, Gunn mentioned that he had once contemplated merging Matt Reeves’ “The Batman” franchise into the DCU, but ultimately decided against it, explaining, “I am equally focused on creating stories within the DC Universe and tales from the Elseworlds.

The idea that Gunn’s Elseworlds projects will run alongside the main DC Universe is likely to be well-received by DC fans, as the multiverse concept and Elseworlds storytelling are deeply rooted in DC’s history, providing a platform for diverse reimaginings of their beloved characters. Titles like Absolute Superman, and the entire Absolute Universe line, could find success within the Elseworlds division of DC Studios.

Gunn’s dedication towards the Elseworlds side of DC opens up a real opportunity for an adaptation of “Absolute Superman”, whether it’s in live-action or animation. Given that DC’s new Absolute Universe is still in its infancy, with only revamped versions of Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman unveiled so far, additional spin-offs such as merchandise, action figures, etc., are likely to emerge. It’s quite possible that an “Absolute Superman” movie could be the next phase in DC’s efforts to extend its Absolute Universe across all types of media.

Read More

2024-12-07 20:40