Thus far, the new titles published under the Absolute Universe imprint have been fairly straightforward in their storytelling. Enough of the basic origins of Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman are revealed in their first issues to show how they were changed. By contrast, Absolute Superman #1 is a slow-boiler that leaves much of the protagonist’s backstory a mystery. It is also just as concerned with exploring the planet Krypton as establishing the main character and his parents.
The opening flashback of Absolute Superman #1 reveals Krypton as a totalitarian society a la Brave New World. Dissension against the caste system is rooted out early, and those who question the status quo are condemned to a life in the Labor Guild (the classic S-shield, incidentally, is now the emblem of the Workers rather than the House of El). It is here that Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van, once aspiring scientists, are employed as a mining engineer and a mechanic, respectively. This is also how Jor-El, who was laughed out of the Science League for worrying about Krypton’s environment, discovers the instability that threatens their world.
Years later, a grown-up Kal-El travels the Earth, a refugee acting as a champion of the oppressed. His main adversary is a corporation called Lazarus, which employs a private army of Peacemakers to control their workers. Far from invincible, however, Absolute Superman must conserve his energy reserves, striking quickly before vanishing into the shadows. He is aided in this by Sol, an artificial intelligence who controls his shape-shifting armor.
Absolute Superman distills Man of Steel to his core
Some may protest the idea of a populist Man of Steel fighting Big Business and the American Military. Yet the script by Jason Aaron draws clear parallels between the corrupt corporatism of Earth and the orthodoxy of Krypton. It also foreshadows the plight of the miners Kal-El defends through Jor-El’s fellow workers. The irony is that Superman is hewn from the same steel as Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster’s classic comics, where Kal-El targeted wife-beaters, corrupt businessmen, and other bullies. He is ever the idealist, struggling to make a difference in a world where hope is rarer than diamonds.
The artwork by Rafa Sandoval and Ulises Arreola similarly draws upon the roots of the Man of Steel while offering something new. Sandoval has considerable experience with Superman from his time on the monthly title. However, his designs for Krypton in Absolute Superman #1 draw heavily upon the legacy of Jack Kirby and his designs for Apokolips. (This may be a subtle hint of the influence Darkseid holds over the Absolute Universe setting.) Arreola’s colors utilize sharp contrasts, with sickly winter shades clashing with bold warm hues as a constant motif.
Absolute Superman #1 continues to exemplify the high standards set for the Absolute Universe. It is easily the most mysterious book on the line to date. Despite that, this take on the Man of Steel is a true blue encapsulation of the character’s morality and ethos. It will be interesting to see how Aaron, Sandoval, and Arreola develop the series in the coming months.
Grade: 5/5
Absolute Superman #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
