With James Gunn’s SUPERMAN set to soar into theaters on July 11, 2025, DC is ushering in a new era of superheroes on screen. But before fans even see David Corenswet’s portrayal of the Man of Steel, DC Comics is already reinventing its most iconic characters through the bold Absolute Universe.
This new comic book series features reimagined versions of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. The creative approach has taken the mythology of these heroes in strikingly unconventional directions. For “Absolute Superman”, in particular, the changes go far beyond just costume tweaks — DC has overhauled Kal-El’s origins, his powers, and even the legendary red cape.
Superman: A Man of Labor, Not Smallville
In “Absolute Superman”, Kal-El doesn’t crash land on Earth as an infant. Instead, this version of Superman arrives as a young adult, skipping the familiar Smallville upbringing. The Clark Kent persona, a staple in Superman’s lore, does not yet exist in this universe — and it may never.
What sets this new Superman apart is his connection to Krypton’s working-class roots. The iconic “S” emblem on his chest takes on a completely new meaning. While previous interpretations — such as Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel (2013) — presented the “S” as a symbol of hope, the “Absolute Superman” series introduces a deeper narrative. Here, all Kryptonian citizens wear the emblem, with its meaning shifting depending on social status. For members of the Labor Guild, like Kal-El’s family, it symbolizes the “People of Steel,” a proud badge for Krypton’s underclass.
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A Suit Powered by Sunstone and AI
The biggest twist comes from Superman’s suit itself. In “Absolute Superman” #2, readers learn that the suit was crafted by Kal-El’s parents, Jor-El and Lara, who are depicted as a miner and a mechanic. Far more than armor, this revolutionary suit — made from Kryptonian Sunstone — is both a spacesuit and a rocket, a direct reflection of Krypton’s industrial ingenuity.
More astonishingly, the suit is sentient. Known as Sol, the AI embedded in the suit speaks to Kal-El, guiding him and assessing threats. Sol serves as a partner to Superman, capable of activating or deactivating his powers at will. While Superman retains traditional abilities like super strength, speed, and heat vision, his powers are now dependent on solar energy, which the suit absorbs and manages.
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The Sentient Cape: A Cloud of Krypton’s Ashes
If the sentient suit weren’t enough, Superman’s legendary red cape has also been completely transformed. Unlike in previous versions, the cape is not a fabric at all — it’s a cloud of sentient red dust. This dust appears when Superman needs it to fly, or when he needs to envelop someone inside it for protection, materializing out of thin air.
Even more fascinating is the cape’s origin. The red cloud is made from Krypton’s Sunstone dust — the very ashes of Superman’s destroyed home planet. This tragic, poetic detail connects Kal-El’s strength to his past, grounding his new identity as the “People of Steel” hero.
More Reimagined Heroes Await
The Absolute Universe isn’t just limited to Superman. “Absolute Batman” and “Absolute Wonder Woman” have delivered similarly ambitious overhauls.
In this version of Gotham, Bruce Wayne is no billionaire vigilante. Instead, he’s a blue-collar city engineer raised in Crime Alley. His Batmobile resembles a bulldozer, and his chest emblem doubles as an ax blade. Batman even shares a friendship with iconic villains from his Rogues Gallery.
Meanwhile, Wonder Woman’s reimagining takes her origins to a dark extreme. No longer raised in Themyscira, Diana is forged in the literal fires of Hell, reshaping her journey into a grittier, mythological tale.
What’s Next for the Absolute Universe?
With “Absolute Batman,” “Absolute Wonder Woman,” and “Absolute Superman” already two issues deep, fans are eager to see where DC takes these stories next. The third issues of each series will roll out over the holiday season, with releases on December 18, December 25, and January 1.
DC has no plans to slow down, either. More heroes will receive the Absolute Universe treatment, including “Absolute Flash”, “Absolute Green Lantern”, and “Absolute Martian Manhunter” in March 2025.
As DC Comics explores these radical reimaginings, fans can look forward to a universe that challenges everything they know about their favorite heroes. For now, readers can only speculate where Superman’s sentient suit and tragic Sunstone cape will take him next.
Have you read any Absolute Universe stories yet? Let us know in the comments!
