Since his debut in 1938, Superman has been one of the most iconic and enduring superheroes in the world. From his comic book beginnings to his evolution on the big screen, the Man of Steel has captured the imaginations of generations.
But while Christopher Reeve’s portrayal in the 1978 film Superman made the character a household name, it’s only one chapter in a long, complicated history of adaptations. Today, the Superman legacy continues to grow, with new re-imaginings and bold portrayals of the character, both on screen and in comics.
One of the most notable recent developments comes from DC Comics, with their release of “Absolute Superman,” a comic series set within the all-new Absolute Universe. While James Gunn’s highly anticipated reboot, SUPERMAN (slated for release in 2025) will mark the beginning of a fresh DC Universe timeline, “Absolute Superman” offers a thrilling and imaginative re-interpretation of the iconic hero’s origins and powers, completely reimagining the world and the Man of Steel himself.
In the world of “Absolute Superman,” everything is different. Gone are the days of the familiar red cape and blue suit worn by a young Clark Kent who arrives on Earth as a child. In this re-imagined version of the Superman mythos, Kal-El lands on a dystopian version of Earth as a young adult. This twist sets the tone for the series, where familiar elements of Superman’s story are completely flipped on their head.
As with other characters in DC’s Absolute Universe, Superman’s powers and backstory have been transformed. His iconic red-and-blue suit, which is typically associated with his heritage, is no longer a simple uniform. Instead, it is now revealed to be a sentient, artificial intelligence—one that adapts and interacts with the wearer. This rethinking of the costume is just one of the bold changes in the series, as even his famous powers have received a significant overhaul. Superman’s strength, flight, and invulnerability have all been altered, and this version of the hero must now recharge his powers, adding a vulnerability to a character usually depicted as unstoppable.
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One of the most shocking twists in “Absolute Superman” is the revelation about the Man of Steel’s iconic red cape. Instead of being made from the same durable fabric we’ve known since his inception, Superman’s cape is now composed of Kryptonian dust, a by-product of the sentient AI suit. This new cape has a mist-like, sentient quality to it, acting as a nano-tech material derived from the literal ashes of his destroyed planet.
This change adds an emotional layer to Superman’s costume, transforming it from just a symbol of strength into a living relic of his tragic past. The idea that his cape is made from the remains of Krypton further deepens the connection between Superman and his lost home, and it’s clear that DC is taking risks with these re-imaginings. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) have largely reacted positively to this new development, finding the creative risk refreshing and intriguing.
While the “Absolute Superman” comic series has been met with excitement, reactions to James Gunn’s upcoming live-action reboot, particularly the first image of David Corenswet in the suit, have been more mixed. Corenswet, best known for his role in Twisters, will take on the role of Clark Kent/Superman in the new film. However, some fans have expressed disappointment, particularly regarding the look of the costume. The suit has been criticized for being too loose-fitting, with many commenters wishing for a more form-fitting and muscular design, similar to that of Henry Cavill in the DC Universe films.
This disappointment is amplified by the fact that Cavill’s portrayal of Superman, which began in Man of Steel (2013) and continued in Batman v Superman (2016) and Justice League (2021), has now been replaced by yet another reboot of the character. While this marks a new era for the character, it also means that fans of Cavill’s darker, grittier take on Superman are left wondering if the hero will ever return to the tone they enjoyed in Zack Snyder’s films. The departure from Cavill’s portrayal, alongside the mixed reactions to the new suit, has sparked a debate among fans about the direction of the Superman franchise.
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However, while the reaction to Corenswet’s casting and costume has been divided, “Absolute Superman” continues to offer an exciting alternative for those looking for a fresh take on the hero. The comic series’ willingness to explore bold new ideas and approaches shows that there’s still plenty of room for innovation, even in a character as iconic as Superman.
“Absolute Superman” is part of a larger initiative by DC to create re-imagined versions of its classic characters. Alongside Superman, the Absolute Universe also includes new takes on Batman, Wonder Woman, and other iconic heroes. In these stories, Batman is no longer a billionaire playboy but a city engineer from Crime Alley, and Wonder Woman is no longer raised on Themyscira but instead grew up in Hell.
These fresh perspectives on beloved characters are a deliberate departure from traditional portrayals, offering fans something unexpected and new.
Per DC Comics, here’s the official synopsis for “Absolute Superman” #2:
“The Lazarus Corporation sent their most battle-hardened crew of Peacemakers to locate the mysterious fugitive interfering with their mining operations—but they weren’t expecting one motor-mouthed, iron-willed woman to be the one to finally get the cuffs onto him!”
“Absolute Superman,” “Absolute Batman,” and “Absolute Wonder Woman” issues one and two are on sale now. Each series will collect five issues. “Absolute Flash,” “Absolute Green Lantern,” and “Absolute Martian Manhunter” are set to arrive in March, 2025.
James Gunn’s SUPERMAN releases on July 11, 2025.
Have you read “Absolute Superman” yet? Let us know in the comments!
