Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval have been slowly building up the legend of Absolute Superman. The young Absolute Universe series has been shifting between the past and present of Kal-El. Through that we have been learning a lot about Kal-El’s history growing up on Krypton and how that shaped his present. With this week’s Absolute Superman #4 we saw what the impact Kal-El has had with his early appearances as the Man of Steel, including on Absolute Lois Lane’s future direction. This impact brings a greater spotlight on the purpose Darkseid created the Absolute Universe.
LOIS LANE UNKNOWLING EMBRACING HER ICONIC PERSONA
Absolute Superman #4 opened with Agent Lois Lane going around the world interviewing various people about their experience witnessing Superman’s actions. This wasn’t something Lois did as an assignment given to her by the Lazarus Corp. Even when masking this as her attempts to protect the poor areas under Lazarus Corps “protection” this was clearly something more.
Throughout Absolute Superman #4 we get more and more hints at how Lois doesn’t have full faith in Brainiac and the Lazarus Corp. It was clearly shown how she held nothing back when breaking one of the Peacemakers dominant hand as punishment for abusing the poor people quarantined in Lazarus Corp facilities around the world. This discontent continued to grow as Lois witnessed with her own eyes the reality of the Lazarus Corp facilities.
Lois eyes being opened was something that was hinted not that long ago. After being presented in as a Lazarus agent in the debut issue we got hints of her iconic reporter persona in Absolute Superman #2. This came due to experiencing Superman’s heroic actions first hand made her question if what the Lazarus Corp was doing was correct. Which led to when writing her report that writing all the details of the events came natural to Lois and was something she enjoyed doing.
This hints at how while in the Absolute Universe Lois grew up to follow in her father’s military footsteps that it didn’t override her iconic status quo. Like so many Absolute Universe characters, the investigative reporter part of her character was hidden away so deep Lois didn’t even know about it. But now that she is getting a taste of life as an investigative reporter, whether she knows it or not, adds a sub-plot for Absolute Superman that makes Lois just as important as Kal-El.
HOW ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN REPRESENTS HOPE
Through Lois Lane’s investigation we learn about the growing sentiment around Superman as he saves people around the world. The peoples opinion on Superman shows signs that he is bringing hope to people who he is saving. Even in the early days Superman is making an incredible impact to a world that was devoid of hope because of how Lazarus Corp was operating. That includes one of Lazarus Corps own agents in Lois Lane who has started questioning the actions of those she works for.
Superman representing hope was further pushed by how his presence impacted one of the members of the rebel group known as Omega Men. This Omega Men member was none other than Jimmy Olsen, who goes by the alias Alpha. As soon as he appeared Superman was able to save Jimmy and his partner Omega Prime from the Peacemakers in a matter of seconds. Like with Lois and others who have witnessed Superman’s heroics this had a great impact on Jimmy.
Which makes what it means for Superman to bring hope to the Absolute Universe different from his DC Universe counterpart. While still viewed as positive, because of the way of life on Earth in the Absolute Universe the people have a dark view on their dictator-like oppressors. With Superman’s arrival the people of the world finally have hope they will be save, but not only will they be saved. Because of his amazing abilities they see Superman as capable of punishing the Lazarus Corp and other oppressors in the same violent and deadly ways they’ve been abused.
It is an extremely dark outlook on what hope means in the Absolute Universe but one that you can’t blame people for having. That is exemplified by after Superman leaves and they break out of the ice they were confined one of the Peacemakers goes on a rampage, killing dozens, if not hundreds, of Palestinians in the area. This type of action is the first time this happens as we saw the Lazarus Corp controlled Peacemakers committing similar violent actions in earlier issues.
TRINITY TEST DARKSIDE ABSOLUTE UNIVERSE CONCEPT
People hoping that Superman reigns punishment on Lazarus Corp and Peacemaker is completely understandable. This in turn puts into question how Superman will evolve as a hero through what he is experiencing. And if that evolution means Superman becoming more like his main DC Universe counterpart or something else entirely.
Which brings the greatest example of what Darkseid’s goal with creating the Absolute Universe was. Darkseid specifically used the Trinity as examples of how he was shaping the Absolute Universe in his own vision:
- “A world where heroes are born facing greater odds. Instead of Paradise, they are raised in Hell.” (Wonder Woman)
- “Where all the advantages are gone. Where they are the small chaos rather than the system itself.” (Batman)
- “A world where hope is the underdog. Where it is the villain, the opposing force. And where it will have to burn brighter than ever before to survive at all.” (Superman)
The three Absolute Universe titles for Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman have all had their foundations built on these three core principles. Like his Trinity counterparts, Absolute Superman is entering a world that has already been shaped in Darkseid’s vision.
And as we see in Absolute Superman #4 how Superman shapes what hope in a universe that was devoid of it before his arrival will be incredibly important. Superman will likely have to make many important choices with how far he is willing to go as the world’s controlling organization view him as the greatest threat to their control.
Each choice made from here on out will ultimately show if Superman and other heroes go against or play into Darkseid’s greater Absolute Universe goal.
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