Superman is a character that is almost universally characterized by the concept of hope. But where does that leave a Superman devoid of any of his usual trappings? Where, and how does he find that hope — if at all? That’s what Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval are explicitly dealing with in DC Comics‘s Absolute Superman #5, a harrowing issue that reveals the end of Krypton.
The destruction of Kal-El’s home planet is something we’ve seen approximately one million times before. Sometimes it’s far away, as baby Kal’s rocket flies from the planet to Earth. Others we get to witness it first hand. But rarely is it so heartbreaking as the events of this issue depict it. That’s largely because Kal-El is older here, and his parents Jor-El and Lara have gathered everyone they can in an attempt to save as many Kryptonians as possible.
Without being mean about it, Aaron keeps teasing the idea of hope throughout the issue. Perhaps more Kryptonians survived. Perhaps Lara and Jor-El survived! Heck, we get a glimpse of Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, and even Krypto the Superdog here. There are moments throughout the issue when it seems like Superman might not be as alone in the Absolute Universe as he is in the DC Universe (at least, initially).
But… No. At least not yet. At the end of the firs arc of this series, Aaron has left this Superman stripped of everything, aware of his family — and dog! — dying (or seeming to die) while he alone rockets to Earth. How does that change a man, knowing what happened to him rather than finding it out from a computer program of his father, years later, in an ice fortress? It hardens him, is what Aaron posits. It brings him to a place where he might kill a man… But pulls himself back from doing so.
Then the question for the next arc becomes, how does this Superman turn into the Superman we know? How does he become a hero who inspires hope? Or does he, at all? That’s a question for these next few issues, and the tension there is how much more pain Kal-El can go through before it becomes too much.
Meanwhile, Sandoval continues to draw the absolute hell out of this book. The destruction of Krypton is beyond epic. Kal-El’s consternation about his urge to kill is heartbreaking. Little moments with Krypto, or a quiet moment with Kal-El and Kara Zor-El will make your heart soar.
While things might get much darker before they get better, this book has built beautifully every issue so far. Here’s hoping — there’s that word again — it continues to fly.
Absolute Superman #5 Rating:
Absolute Superman #5 Official Synopsis:
BRACE YOURSELF FOR A HEARTBREAKING TALE OF THE FINAL FATE OF KRYPTON! Kal-El’s life with his parents in the rural Redlands of Krypton is a happy one. But when that entire existence is suddenly threatened, the Els have no choice but to make a stand… and fight for the truth!