DC Comics has just established another pillar of the new Absolute Universe with the release of Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval’s Absolute Superman #1. As with the recently launched Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman , this new series is set in a world where the Man of Steel lacks many of the fundamental advantages of his classic counterpart. Is he still Superman if he never grew up on the Kent family farm? That’s one of many questions the series sets out to explore in its opening chapter.
Just how different is this version of Superman? How does he compare to a blue-collar Batman or a Wonder Woman raised in Hades? We’ve got the full breakdown of what’s changed for the Absolute Universe, but beware of full spoilers for Absolute Superman #1 ahead! Krypton’s Caste System The changes in Absolute Superman aren’t limited to just Superman himself, but extend to Krypton as a whole. Issue #1 opens with a flashback to life on Krypton before its destruction. As is normally the case for the franchise, Krypton is depicted as a highly advanced but hubristic civilization that has stopped exploring the stars in favor of retreating inward.
Also as per usual, Jor-El is depicted as the lone voice warning Krypton’s leaders about the planet’s imminent destruction. The difference this time is that Jor-El isn’t in much of a position to make his voice heard. That’s because neither he nor his wife Lara are respected scientists in the Absolute Universe.
In this version of the S.