The launch of DC’s Absolute Universe has been almost unanimously celebrated, but compared to the knockout artistic excellence of Absolute Batman and Absolute Wonder Woman, Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola, and Becca Carey’s Absolute Superman felt like a distinct tier below. Where Nick Dragotta and Hayden Sherman are carrying their respective trinity titles to critical adoration and Eisner nominations, Absolute Superman opened to yet another sojourn to Krypton and a less clearly defined visual aesthetic. I’ll admit, I was ready to write off Supes in the Absolute Universe!
Fortunately, Aaron, and especially Sandoval have answered the challenge, raising Absolute Superman up to a respectable level that only seems to be improving through the series second and subsequent arcs! As Superman has encountered Absolute versions of Ra’s al Ghul, Brainiac, Hawkman and Black Adam, Rafa Sandoval’s art has grown immensely, particularly evoking some gorgeous action via free flowing capes and red and gold lightning. I’d argue Absolute Superman has improved with every arc, a great sign for fans of the new universe.
Related Reading Orders:
How can you read Absolute Superman?
There are three easy ways to get Absolute Superman in front of your eyeballs right now.
- Issue by Issue via your local comic book store – That’s right, print magazines! Like a common old-timer! This is definitely the most die-hard comics fan approach, and with each individual issue running $4.99, it’s also skewed the most towards the collector’s mindset (the below options are much better values just for reading the story!). That said, if you love comics, or want to really start, there’s something magical about a store dedicated to nothing else!
- Trade Collections via your LCS or local book store – Trades are just books that combine a series of monthly comic book issues into one place, usually breaking apart sequential story arcs. Think “graphic novels” but as a part of an ongoing series that will continue. Right now the paperbacks retail between $16 and $20 (USA), and the hardcovers are closer to $29.99. For those keeping score, this means waiting for the paperback saves you around $15 compared to buying each print issue one by one.
- Digitally via DC Universe Infinite – This is the best value since a monthly standard subscription is just $7.99 a month, and you can read all the Absolute Superman comics your tier allows (the standard sub releases issues 6 months after they’re available in print, and the ultra sub releases just one month after). Best bang for your buck by far. The only downside is if you don’t like reading on a tablet or phone!
What Should I Read Before Absolute Superman?
It bears repeating, that you don’t need to read literally anything before you start Absolute comics. That’s a big reason readers love them so much. Nonetheless, as new characters appear for the first time in the Absolute Universe, it can be helpful to know what versions they compare to. Put another way, how is Absolute Superman significantly different from classic Superman?
Superman: Brainiac — A good Supes comic from Geoff Johns and Gary Frank, and a nice read given Brainiac’s significant presence as Absolute Superman develops.
Thor God of Thunder — A Thor comic in a Superman guide?! Inappropriate! Unethical even! Nonetheless, if you’re curious what Jason Aaron’s writing looks like at the peak of his powers, this is the one.
Batman: The Demon Trilogy — Want to familiarize with Absolute Superman antagonist Ra’s al Ghul? Check out the original Demon’s Head trilogy.
Superman Smashes the Klan — And then of course, if you need some classic Clark Kent, I’d recommend the modern reimagining of Superman vs. the Klan via Gene Luen Yang and Gurihuru. And there’s always Comic Book Herald’s Superman reading order for the full experience.
Absolute Superman Graphic Novels Reading Order
Absolute Superman Vol. 1: Last Dust of Krypton
Collects: Absolute Superman #1 to #6
Absolute Superman Vol. 2: Son of the Demon
Collects: Absolute Superman #7 to #14
Absolute Superman Vol. 3: The Neverending Begins
Collects: Absolute Superman #15–21
All Absolute Superman Story Arcs In Order!
“Last Dust of Krypton”
- Absolute Superman #1 to #6
The opening arc focuses heavily on Superman’s reimagined Kryptonian origins, with introductions of Absolute Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, the Kents and the Peacemakers.
“A Mind is a Terrible Thing”
- Absolute Superman #7
And now we start to eat. Carmine Di Giandomenico joins on art for the successful introduction of Absolute Brainiac.
“Son of the Demon”
- Absolute Superman #8 to #11
- Absolute Evil #1
- Absolute Superman #12 to #14
Aaron and Sandoval’s most ambitious arc reimagines Ra’s al Ghul as a corporate overlord interested in conquesting Superman as his rightful heir (inverting the classic DC Universe role of Batman). The Absolute Evil one-shot should occur prior to the final knockdown dragout fight between al Ghul and Supes.
“The Never-Ending Begins”
- Absolute Superman #15 to #17
Juan Ferreyra on art as Absolute Superman meets Absolute Hawkman (who we first meet briefly in Absolute Evil) and Absolute Parasite.
“Reign of the Superman”
- Absolute Superman #18 to #21
Sandoval produces some of his best work as we meet Absolute Black Adam and Absolute Steel!
“Get Brainiac”
Absolute Superman #22 to…
For More:
Comic Book Herald’s Absolute Universe reading order!
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