Absolute Superman #1 – Jason Aaron, Writer; Rafa Sandoval, Artist; Ulises Arreola, Colorist
Ray – 10/10
Ray: The previous two Absolute launches were so good that it seemed almost impossible for this one to live up to the hype – and in comes Jason Aaron to deliver another home run directly out of the park. Superman is the purest, most optimistic of the core DC heroes, so the idea one stripped of everything that makes him who he is feels like the biggest stretch. And in some ways, this Superman feels like the one whose core remains the closest to the classic character. He’s still doing many of the same things he always does, defending Earth and fighting for the common man. He’s just doing it the hard way, without any of the advantages he always has. Because this Superman is the Last Son of Krypton – but he’s not a son of Earth.
Superman is the title character, but he’s not the main character in this first issue – that actually goes to Jor-El and Lara, the latter of which has never had any major focus until now. Here, they’re skilled workers in the Labor Guild on a Krypton that has a much stricter caste system and a much more fascistic government than we’ve ever seen. Lara was kicked into the Labor guild for writing a critical essay as a child, while Jor-El was stripped of his rank for trying to blow the whistle on Krypton’s self-destructive behaviors. Today, they both still continue that work, fighting against the government and trying to save lives as they can – even as the class divide gets bigger and Krypton’s environment gets worse.
As for Superman himself, decades later, he’s a lonely man on Earth, infiltrating mining colonies as a worker for Lazarus Corp (a shadowy government-backed corporation that enforces its brutal mining contracts with the help of heavily-armed Peacemakers), doing the work in a fraction of the time, and evading disasters and security. He fights alone – except for the mysterious AI in his costume, Sol. It’s exactly the kind of thing a Superman would do if he had all the right instincts, but none of the belief in himself that he could be an icon. But in some ways, it’s very reminiscent of the Golden Age Superman, as he’s a hero of the little guy who is much more comfortable solving problems with his fists. It feels like a throwback, but also something completely new.
The last few pages of this book are…a ride. We get shocking reveals of where people are, and where they aren’t. One long-time friend turns out to be an enemy here, and another much more powerful enemy lurks in the shadows. Aaron’s script is brilliantly packed – a little more dense than Wonder Woman, but not quite as long a read as Batman. I’m also really happy to see Rafa Sandoval get the chance to shine on a huge launch after so long as one of DC’s best utility artists. The Absolute line so far has been a brilliant example of what happens when you combine original storytelling with top talent, and just let them cut loose. You get the most exciting comics on the stands.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
