The point of DC Comics’ Absolute Universe is for everything to be different from Earth-Prime. However, there are certain things that remain true to the original characters. For example, Batman still doesn’t kill, and Wonder Woman remains a kind person. And then there’s Absolute Superman. So far, he’s been the most different out of the DC Comics Trinity.
Unlike Kal-El’s original origin, Absolute Superman was sent to Earth having known his parents for over a decade. After Krypton exploded, his ship floated in space for 18 months. He was alone with no one to talk to except his artificial intelligence, Sol. While it was something, it wasn’t enough to keep the dark thoughts out of his head. At one point, he asked Sol to let him out of the ship so he could die in space. Thankfully, before Kal-El could take it anymore, he landed in Kansas, where he met John and Martha Kent. Sadly, his time with them was short, leaving him, again, without caring parents.
Having consistent love from parents is another difference between Absolute Batman and Wonder Woman, and Superman. Martha Wayne is a tough but caring mother. Without her (and Bruce’s friends), Batman would either not exist or be a killer. Meanwhile, Diana was raised by a powerful witch, Circe. The Isle of Hell wasn’t an ideal place to raise a child. Nevertheless, Circe taught Diana magic, compassion, and strength in a place that was supposed to drain Wonder Woman of hope.
After seeing how Kal-El loved and lost people, while Wonder Woman and Bruce kept their parents, it's easy to see why Absolute Supes is losing empathy and having fits of rage.
Absolute Superman No. 9 creative team
- Writer: Jason Aaron
- Artist: Rafa Sandoval
- Colorist: Ulises Arreola Palomera
Throughout this series, Kal-El has struggled with what he’s seen on Earth. He has been around the world and seen the same lack of hope everywhere he's been. In some ways, the greed and callousness he's witnessed are very much like Krypton. It didn't help that Christopher Smith almost killed him (Absolute Superman No. 8), and later (in issue No. 9), Kal-El saw innocent people left dead and hung as a message to the Omega Men.
Sol tries to help Kal-El by warning him not to let the actions of this planet turn him into something he’s not. Supes lashes out, saying that he wants people to stop telling him who he is when even he doesn’t know. Supes ends their conversation telling Sol to “Shut the hell up!” Sol says, “As you wish, Kal-El. Disabling voice mode,” and doesn’t respond later when Supes asks for him.
The most concerning part of this issue is that Superman says that he almost let one of the Omega Men (Primus) kill a Peacemaker. He’s so ashamed that he starts to think about leaving Earth. He may have if he wasn’t told that Jimmy Olsen was captured by the Peacemakers. Luckily, Jimmy's being interrogated by Lois Lane. However, will she torture information out of him, or is Lois still looking for the truth behind Superman? Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow to find out.
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