Surprise, another new DC related book review! This time, I’m getting a chance to cover one of DC’s Absolute Universe titles. We’re looking at the first volume (collecting issues 1-6) of Absolute Superman from the creative team of writer Jason Aaron, artist Rafa Sandoval, and Colorist Ulises Arreola.
As always, if you would like to read my previous reviews, click this link to head to our Review Category. Thanks, and enjoy reading.
A man without a family, without a Fortress, and without a home. He is the Absolute Man of Steel! A tale spiraling out of the catastrophic events of Absolute Power, a new side of the DC Universe is born–the Absolute Universe! In a different, dark world, Kal-El landed in a remote area of Kansas, the last survivor from an alien planet… but even before that moment, nothing unfolded as you’d expect. He tries to survive in this new world that seems to repeat the mistakes Krypton made before it met its tragic fate, he’ll come into conflict with the globe-straddling Lazarus Corporation and its agenda of exploitation…and go fist-to-fist with its brutal army of Peacemakers!
Absolute Superman’s first volume offers readers a twist on the Man of Steel, but gives us a reason why he is known as the Champion of the Opressed. Jason Aaron gives us a story that focuses on Superman adjusting to a new life on Earth, one that is wrought under a brutal dictatorship from a company called Lazarus. Plus, we see what Krypton was like in this new Universe and its society divided between the elite engineers and scientists, versus the farmers, and against the ones who refused to go along with the message that was being put out. In alot of ways, this story provides social commentary regarding the world today, only with Superman protecting the poor and downtrodden communities while opposing authoritarian structures and corporate greed.
Speaking of commentary, it shows us a world that is over-reliant on AI and algorithms to find information, and people who try to control the narrative. Sounds similar to what’s going on in the real world right now, doesn’t it? Despite its bleak tone, there are glimpses of hope in this story as Kal-El works through using his anger to address the problems in this flawed new world. There have been certain readers have read this story and cried “IT’S TOO WOKE!” But I find that Aaron and his creative team found a way to address the issues in the 21st century in more creative way than coming off as preachy.
After discussing the premise of Absolute Superman, let’s go over the artwork in this collected edition. The artwork was another strength for this series, especially when it comes down to the character designs. For example, you can see in Kal-El’s appearance that this isn’t the Man of Steel we are used to seeing, his hair is longer and unkempt, he is more angry and shy while trying to live with having so much power (keep in mind, Kal didn’t have the Clark Kent upbringing since the Lazarus Corporation invading the Kent farm and try to arrest him due to him being reported as an illegal immigrant.. again, mirroring real life involving the current situation with ICE.) The Peacemakers were another that had a great design, even though it was more of a futuristic design that paid homage to what Joe Gill and Pat Boyette had envisioned. Even though we discussed Krypton’s hierarchy, Rafa Sandoval did a phenomenal job with bringing a new vision of Krypton and its technology in an alternate universe. With Sandoval’s line work accompanied by Ulises Arreola’s Color Pallette, it set the tone of the book, a balance of grim, bleak dystopia mixed with a glimmer of hope when the Man of Steel saves the day.
Absolute Superman Vol. One is available now at your local comic store and e-retailer, you can order your copy now at the link below. Volume one is a great book for older Superman fans and new readers, stay tuned for my next review for Volume Two, which the book is available now.
Final Grade:
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