Absolute Superman #3 Review

• Written by: Jason Aaron

• Art by: Rafa Sandoval

• Colors by: Ulises Arreola

• Letters by: Becca Carey

• Cover art by: Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola

• Cover price: $4.99

• Release date: January 1, 2025

Absolute Superman #3, by DC Comics on 1/1/25, heads back to Krypton to show how the elite Science League worked to cover up news about their world falling apart.

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Is Absolute Superman #3 Good?

Recap

When last we left Kal-El in Absolute Superman #2, the Last Son of Krypton escaped capture by the Lazarus Corporation's Peacemakers while still handcuffed to Officer Lois Lane. When the pursing Peacemakers opened fire, creating collateral damage in the surrounding villages, Lois got an up-close look at the power of Kal-El's A.I. suit and miraculous cape of many functions. The issue ended with Lois Lane suddenly becoming a writer.

Plot Synopsis

In an all-Krypton issue, Absolute Superman #3 begins with a flashback to six years ago. Young Kal-El struggled to fit into Kryptonian society's draconian class structure, opting to write reports on his own rather than rely on A.I. and not excelling in the rigid school curriculum. During a camping trip with his parents, Kal learned his parents approved of his choice to forge his path in life. However, Kal will soon learn the camping trip had a second purpose - Jor-El was gathering proof of Krypton's imminent destruction.

Later, Kal and his classmates, on a field trip to Kandor, witnessed a horrific train wreck caused by the toxic gases seeping from the ground. Unofficially, Kal could see dying crops, dying wildlife, and anecdotal news of catastrophes happening everywhere. Officially, the Science League kept news of natural catastrophes suppressed.  

When the students reached Kandor, Kal became suspicious when it appeared none of the high-ranking Science League Klerics were working that day. Kal wandered the Halls of High Wisdom and was surprised to witness his father being dragged away from a meeting with the Science League to make them listen to reason about Krypton's destruction.

Kal raced home to tell his mother. In response, Lara gears up with the new super suit she built and heads to the detention center with Kal to free Jor-El by force. During the battle, Kal gains access to the computer system and learns the Science League has been secretly building escape ships for some time, but the ships are only sized large enough to carry the Elite Class away from Krypton.

The issue ends with junior reporter Kal-El making a big splash, Lara and Jor-El showing the big project they've secretly built, and a weird cliffhanger.

First Impressions

You have to give credit to writer Jason Aaron for putting oodles of thought and care into constructing the events surrounding the last days of Krypton. At a high level, the broad brush description of Krypton's outcome is still the same as the Superman mythology you already know, but Aaron drops in one or two twists that could have significant ramifications for the future. That said, there are systemic weak points that may put readers off.

How’s the Art?

Hats off to Rafa Sandoval for envisioning rich, alien landscapes and intense scenes of drama as Krypton's crumbling escalates. There's no Superman action to speak of, so all the visual weight falls to Sandoval to make Krypton and its cast of characters look as interesting as possible. On that count, Sandoval succeeds mightily.

What’s great about Absolute Superman #3?

If you're really into the last days of Krypton, this is the issue for you. Jason Aaron ratchets up the all-too-familiar talking points about government suppression of free speech, resisting established systems to follow your passion, and a planet-wide ecological crisis to make the destruction feel as real and familiar as possible. 

Plus, two surprise twists that come in at the very end (no spoilers here) suggest Superman's origin story is more different than the first two issues let on... maybe.

What’s not great about Absolute Superman #3?

If you're not a fan of stories focused on Krypton before Superman became Superman, you're going to have a tough time with this issue. 

Further, Jason Aaron is taking the word 'decompression' to new heights by writing a series as if he has all the time in the world to get readers on board with the Absolute Man of Steel.

Yes, Krypton eventually dies. Yes, we know the Powers That Be wouldn't listen to Jor-El, costing countless lies due to their hubris. This is not new information, and nothing Aaron presents in Absolute Superman substantially changes the original mythology enough to set Absolute Superman apart from his familiar counterpart.

Why is Jason Aaron wasting so much time? Perhaps Aaron is setting up a major surprise that upends everything you thought you knew about Superman. Whatever that surprise may or may not be, if there is one, Aaron is risking reader loss by taking too long to get there.

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About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Final Thoughts

Absolute Superman #3 is an absolute treat for Superman fans who want an entire issue set in Krypton and don't care if Superman shows up or not. Jason Aaron delivers oodles of forethought and details about Krypton's last days, and Rafa Sandoval's art is excellent. However, readers who insist Superman be the focus of a Superman comic will come away unsatisfied with this issue. Maybe Aaron is trying to out-Hickman Jonathan Hickman on Ultimate Spider-Man.

6/10

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