Warning: Contains potential spoilers forAbsolute Superman #3!
DC’s Absolute Universe continues to rewrite iconicSupermanlore in its new iteration of the character, giving him a childhood on his home planet, totally redefining Kal-El’s status among his Kryptonian peers in his early years.Raised on Krypton in this rebooted timeline, the super-powerful hero isn’t just growing up without his fantastical abilities, but he’s actually revealed to be physically weaker than the rest of his people.
Absolute Superman#3– written by Jason Aaron, with art by Rafa Sandoval – offers more insight intoKal-El’s new origin, as he’s brought up by his biological parentson Krypton. Along with the Els’ lower-class status,this version of Kal is slower than other Kryptonians his age, “too coordination-challenged”, and struggles in school.
Though his school troubles are mostly due to the planet’s government censoring original thought, which Lara and Jor-El encourage him to counteract, Kal clearly doesn’t fit in on Krypton. Called a “runt” by a peer, the new Superman truly understands weakness in a way most other versions don’t.
DC’s Absolute Universe Officially Makes Superman’s Krypton’s Biggest Underdog, Totally Upending His Usual Status Quo
Absolute Superman#3– Written By Jason Aaron; Art By Rafa Sandoval; Color By Ulises Arreola; Available June 07, 2025 From DC Comics
In a significant, and perhaps somewhat shocking alteration to DC’s familiar lore,Superman is revealed to be pretty powerless on his home planet. His only friends are his parents, Lara and Jor-El,reimagined as blue-collar workers in this universe, and he already takes after their rebellious nature with his behavior at school. Kal challenges overreaching Kryptonian tradition by actually writing his work rather than using the Science League’s generative text system, and although he’s content with life alongside his family and Krypto in the Redlands, he’s definitely a dark horse on Krypton.
Absolute Superman Rewrites His Kryptonian Origin, Merging The House of El & The Kents in A Brilliant Twist
Superman’s always had two sets of parents, one at the highest level of society, and one the salt of the Earth. DC’s Absolute Universe just fused them.
Absolute Supermanhas only hinted atthe existence of the Kents and their farmin this universe, but Kal-El’s mild-mannered demeanor and physical ineptitude make this version of the character more in line with his identity as Clark Kent as he grows up. His penchant for writing stories in class also hints at the classic character’s career as a reporter. Though different versions of Superman’s origin have seen the hero use his powers as young as infancy, Aaron and Sandoval’s series boldly establishes a Kal-El who spent many formative years as a physical underdog until he got to Earth.
Absolute Superman Remains True To The Heart Of The Iconic Character, Despite Some Major Lore Twists
Kal’s New Origin Continues To Be A Highlight
The new Absolute Universe sees major changes made to Krypton, the House of El, and Superman’s origin overall, but these twists on Superman lore are exciting changes that offer some new perspective on the iconic character.Absolute Supermantotally changes Kal-El’s youth by making him physically weak, rather than having to learn to control his alien strength on Earth, but this tweak to his origin also makes his meek and nerdy Clark Kent persona in other continuities seem more natural.The series’ reinvention of the hero’s historyhighlights what makes Superman great, while still keeping things interesting and fresh.
As the Absolute Universe’s version of Kal-El makes him the so-called runt of the litter on Krypton, the journey that leads to him officially becoming Superman will be even more powerful.
While this universe’s Kal-El may be less of a physical threat during his childhood, he maintains his status asone of DC’s strongest charactersonce he finally finds himself on Earth.Absolute Superman’s new origin gives the hero a groundbreaking contrast between his youth and adult years as a superhero, making for an interesting new take on the iconic character that still remains true to his most important qualities. Asthe Absolute Universe’s version of Kal-Elmakes him the so-called runt of the litter on Krypton, the journey that leads to him officially becomingSupermanwill be even more powerful.
Absolute Superman#3will be available August 15, 2025 from DC Comics.
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
