Summary

• Absolute Superman #1 boasts powerful art covers, hinting at a significant power upgrade for the Man of Steel.
• DC's Absolute Universe promises intense, gritty versions of fan-favorite heroes, with Superman set for his own title.
• Absolute Superman's revamped costume and logo suggest this will be a version of the Man of Steel fans have yet to ever encounter.

WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #1!

Absolute Superman makes a powerful first impression across various art covers, not only revealing a striking new costume and logo but also hinting at a significant power upgrade. With the impending launch of the Absolute Universe, DC has promised more intense, gritty versions of fan-favorite heroes, and these variant covers suggest they’re not just meeting that promise—they’re exceeding it.

The glowing sections of Absolute Superman's suit could hint at fire or lava-based powers.

DC’s plans for will have his own Absolute title.

What distinguishes the Absolute Universe from the familiar DCU is that it is founded on Darkseid energy instead of Superman energy, resulting in intense reimaginings of the characters with new origins. Moreover, if the variant covers for the November 6, 2024 release of Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval’s Absolute Superman #1 are to be believed, this darker version of Clark will receive a major power upgrade.

New Variant Covers Reveal Absolute Superman’s Redesigned Costume, Hinting at Possible LAVA Powers

Cover F 1:25 Card Stock Variant by Matteo Scalera & Cover B Card Stock Variant by Wes Craig for Absolute Superman #1

DC’s recent solicitations unveiled Rafa Sandoval’s main cover, variant covers by Wes Craig, Jim Lee, and Matteo Scalera, and a logo variant highlighting the new 'S' Shield that Absolute Superman will wear. All of the art covers, except the logo variant, offer fans an epic glimpse of the new Man of Steel. This Superman not only has long hair, but he also sports a redesigned costume featuring the new 'S' Shield. However, the most striking design change is the fiery orange and yellow glow in select areas of his suit, including his hips, wrists, ankles, and feet.

At the moment, it’s unclear what the new suit design might signify, but one possibility is that it reflects a new powerset for Absolute Superman. If these glowing sections are more than just a fashion choice, their fiery appearance could hint at fire or lava-based powers. This theory is particularly ed by Wes Craig's variant cover, which shows the Kryptonian smashing the ground, revealing what appears to be lava. Alternatively, the glowing elements might represent Superman’s power levels or function as devices to keep his immense power in check. The possibilities are many and all extremely exciting.

Absolute Superman Gets New 'S' Shield Logo Reminiscent of Henry Cavill’s Costume Design

Main Cover by Rafa Sandoval for Absolute Superman #1

As mentioned earlier, the covers also highlight Absolute Superman’s new logo design. This version sharply deviates from Clark’s current 'S' shield, which features a looser, thinner, and more rounded 'S.' The Absolute 'S' shield is more reminiscent of Henry Cavill’s suit design, showcasing a bolder 'S' that fills more of the yellow space around it. However, it differs from Cavill’s design by featuring sharper points and filling even more of the yellow space. It will be exciting to see how this new 'S' shield and Absolute Superman’s power upgrades unfold in the narrative, answering all the lingering questions.

Absolute Superman #1 will be released from DC Comics on November 6, 2024!