Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Absolute Superman #3

I honestly didn't think I was going to like Absolute Superman's new origins so much, but it's just so dang good. Set in DC's darker Absolute Universe that has been created by Darkseid, the origins and history of many heroes have been drastically changed. However, I was surprised to see that Superman's origins had arguably been changed for the better, while also being far more tragic than his typical backstory and history with his homeworld of Krypton.

As seen in Absolute Superman #3 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval, Kal-El recalls his history on Krypton with his parents and dog, having been sent to Earth much later in life than in the main DC Universe where Jor-El and Lara send their son away as a baby due to Krypton's sudden and imminent demise. Instead, Absolute Superman left Krypton as an older child with the planet suffering a much slower death. Likewise, it seems as though Kal-El might not have traveled alone, resulting in some fascinating remixed Superman origins that I truly enjoyed.

I Knew There Would Be Changes, But Absolute Superman's Krypton Origins Go HARD

Krypton's History Is Even More Compelling (And Tragic)

Split into a harsh caste hierarchy of higher-class scientists and lower-status laborers, Kal-El's parents, Jor-El and Lara, are not part of the Science League in this universe. This is due to their opposing ideas and controversial opinions, the majority of which have to do with Jor-El's geological findings that Krypton's gradual death. Slowly becoming polluted by green gases and quakes that start killing the planet's wildlife, Krypton's decline promises to affect the laborers first.

Even Kal-El can see that Krypton is dying, long before his parents finally reveal the truth to him. Likewise, the truth is widely kept from the public by the Science League so as not to create a panic. While this is similar to Jor-El's pleas to Krypton's leadership in the original DC Universe, it's far more tragic seeing how Jor-El is not their peer in the Absolute Universe and is subsequently silenced along with Lara.

The signs of the planet's demise are easier to see compared to Krypton simply exploding all at once in the main DC Universe. However, it's revealed that the Science League made great strides to keep the truth hidden from the public to keep the laborers in line, all while the upper classes secretly prepared to flee the planet. As such, the class conflict occurring as the planet dies certainly makes Krypton's end all the more compelling and far more tragic.

I Absolutely Love Absolute Superman's Parents

Going Further Than The Original Jor-El And Lara

To that end, the efforts made by Jor-El and Lara in Absolute Superman #3 are absolutely incredible. Not only did they refuse to keep quiet about Krypton's end, but they continued to speak out and fight the Science League as seen when Jor-El gets arrested for trying to make his findings public and Lara rescues him using her impressive lava rifle and the sentient suit of armor she built named Sol, the same technology her son uses on Earth seen in previous issues set in the present. Even Krypto received a versatile red-dust cape just like Kal-El wears as Absolute Superman.

Furthermore, it's also revealed that Jor and Lara secretly prepared for the worst, not just for their son, but for all the planet's lower classes. Rather than sending their son into the unknown by himself, it's revealed that they built a massive ship to save as many lower-class Kryptonians as possible. While the outcome and their success have yet to be revealed, the effort itself is objectively an improvement on the original Superman origins where Jor-El and Lara only had time to send just their son away from Krypton as an infant.

Krypton's New Origins Is A Powerful Remix

Expanding And Improving The Original Superman History

Ultimately, I'm really finding it hard not to love Superman's newly remixed origins more than the classic version. The benefit of more time results in Krypton's end being far more compelling and even more tragic. Likewise, the tensions between the upper and lower classes make the planet's demise even more heartbreaking, especially considering that the whole population could have survived had Krypton simply been united as one people. To that end, I'm really looking forward to learning more about what happened to Kal-El and his family as Absolute Superman continues, as well as how these new origins continue to affect his role as a superhero in the present.

Absolute Superman #3 is on sale now from DC Comics.