Warning! Preview pages for Absolute Superman #5 ahead!Fans are finally getting a glimpse at the tragedy that shaped the DC Universe's in the Absolute Universe, the last days on Krypton were a much more harrowing experience for DC's new Superman.

In a preview for Absolute Superman #5 by Jason Aason and Rafa Sandoval, a flashback to six years ago on Krypton shows the El family running for their lives from the Law Guild while the planet begins to destabilize. The Els make their way home and prepare to escape the exploding planet.

Lara makes adjustments to the family's ship, enough for a small handful of Kryptonians to them. But they make the tough decision to cap their numbers. A young Superman watches everything, furiously swearing that he'd do whatever he could to make his next planet better than Krypton.

Superman's Origin is Much More Tragic and Disturbing

Kal-El Saw the Worst Sides of Humanity When He Was a Boy

In the Absolute Universe, Darkseid energy is the force that influences everything. Everything is more challenging and bleaker than the Prime Universe and, as such, the heroes of the DC Universe are faced with greater difficulty than their counterparts. In Superman's case, he didn't have the good fortune of being found by the Kents as a baby, ignorant of Krypton and its ways. He grew up in a working class that was oppressed by the more elite echelons of Kryptonian society. Now Superman lives on Earth, alone, with no Kryptonians and nothing but his Sol armor to keep him company.

It was obvious big changes were coming to Superman's lore when it was revealed that, in the Absolute Universe, Kal-El lived for several years on Krypton with his mother and father. Now it's become clear that he saw the worst parts of his civilization in its darkest moments. He witnessed the greed and corruption that killed his people and aided in the destruction of his planet. The Prime Superman had no connection to Krypton, but Absolute Superman saw just how ignorant his people could be. That's no doubt why he's struggling to become the hero Superman is destined to become.

Can Absolute Superman Overcome His Past to Build a Better Future?

Or Has Kal-El's Origin Ruined His Belief in People?

It's understandable that such a traumatic event would shake Kal-El to his core, even all these years later. This Superman's youth was shaped by witnessing greed and corruption, just like what he's seeing now as he faces the Lazarus Corporation. It's a lot for him to overcome, but he's going to have to. Superman needs to believe in the best of humanity, because that's the only thing that can really triumph over the Darkseid energy that's inundating the Absolute Universe. Hopefully, as Absolute Superman continues his journey, he'll find ways to move past his painful origins.

Absolute Superman #5 is available from DC Comics on March 12th.