There aren’t enough people talking about how good Jason Aaron’s run of Absolute Superman is. It has all of the crazy, alternate versions of the beloved DC Comics characters that you see in Absolute Batman, but it also has the hope inspired by Absolute Wonder Woman. What’s made this series so special is the evolution of Kal-El.
In Absolute Superman: The Never-Ending Begins, that evolution is once again highlighted in a major way.
Absolute Superman No. 17 creative team
- Writer: Jason Aaron
- Artist: Juan Ferreyra
- Colors: Juan Ferreyra
“The Never-Ending Begins” storyline starts after the defeat of the Lazarus Corp, and with Kal-El working on his farm. In between building on the Kent land and saving lives, Superman is still finding time to make Ra’s al Ghul understand how evil he is. Surprisingly, it worked. And then, Hawkman shows up to try to tell Kal-El how the world works. Fun fact, it doesn’t go well for Carter Hall.
Absolute Parasite (a horrific monster that could only be created by Jason Aaron and Juan Ferreyra) attacked Metropolis and fed on the fears of its people. When it grabbed Superman, the Man of Steel used the opportunity to go into the minds of over two million people (and some animals) it possessed and free them from Parasite. After they were released, the citizens said that they just knew everything would be okay because Superman was there. When Hawkman asked how he did it, Supes says, “I don’t know… I’m Superman.”
Even after seeing Superman in action and having been saved by him, Carter Hall still didn’t get it. But Supes does something unlike him to make him understand who he was. He told Hawkman he knows he’s working for the Lazarus Corp and that he has a message for them: “Tell the people that you work for that I’m not you, Hall. Tell them Superman’s not for sale.”
Seeing Superman put Carter Hall in his place was a monumental moment for the Man of Metropolis. It showed the mental toughness that had been missing from this universe’s Superman. It also left such an impression that Hawkman told Talia al Ghul they had a problem. Initially, Carter assumed this would be an easy mission. Clearly, that thought was proven false.
Kal-El still has room to grow and he will eventually need to learn how to balance being a superhero with rest. Even someone with the power of the Sun needs to relax once in a while. Otherwise, he will go mad. Not just from lack of sleep (which, so far, he doesn't seem to need). The problem is that seeing the worst of people will eventually get to him.
It’s discouraging when all you experience is negativity. Sure, Absolute Superman is saving lives, and the people are grateful, but that's not enough. Kal-El needs some consistent happiness to balance things out. The question is whether it will be Lois Lane or Lana Lang who will have the biggest influence on him. We'll have to wait and see.
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