‘Absolute Superman’ Changed Krypton & Kal-El’s Parents – A Redefinition We Deserved!

‘Absolute Superman‘ recently released its third issue continuing to expand on Superman’s newly overhauled lore under this new imprint. This series presents a unique version of Superman, where he arrives on Earth as an adult, unlike the usual depiction where he comes as a baby.

This is Jason Aaron’s second Superman story, following “I, Bizarro” in Action Comics, and so far the series has seen a moderate success.

In ‘Absolute Superman,’ Krypton is a planet with a strict class system. The Science League is at the top, while the Labor Guild is at the bottom. Each class has a symbol they wear on their chest, and the Labor Guild’s symbol looks like a stylized “S” – changing the original of the letter.

Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van belong to the Labor Guild and live in the Redlands, which is the agricultural area outside the cities.

Both Jor-El and Lara were once talented and had bright futures, but they were blacklisted by the Science League for their beliefs. Lara was criticized for saying Krypton should explore space, and Jor-El warned that the Science League’s focus on progress was damaging the planet.

Because of these opinions, they were forced into the Labor Guild. Despite their low status, they are proud of their work—Lara is a farmhand and mechanic, and Jor-El is a mining engineer. The Labor Guild values hard work, and they are known as the “People of Steel” – giving new meaning to the “Man of Steel.”

The origin story in ‘Absolute Superman’ is vastly different from most traditional Superman stories. Typically, Superman’s biological parents, Jor-El and Lara, have little direct involvement in his upbringing.

They usually appear as figures from Krypton’s past, and Superman’s primary parental influences are often Ma and Pa Kent on Earth. However, in ‘Absolute Superman,’ Jor-El and Lara are deeply involved in Kal-El’s early years on Krypton, helping shape his confidence, compassion, and sense of boldness.

In this version, Kal-El is not just raised by his parents but is directly influenced by their teachings. They encourage him to follow his own path, even when it goes against Kryptonian tradition. For example, when Kal is reprimanded for writing his own reports instead of following the approved curriculum, his parents support him, saying that his passion for his own words is more important than conforming to tradition. This helps to build the foundation for his later decisions as Superman.

The depiction of Jor-El and Lara in this story is also unique. Jor-El, instead of being a member of the elite Science League, is a respected figure but someone who doesn’t fit into Krypton’s rigid class structure.

He is still deeply invested in trying to save his planet, even though it’s clear Krypton is doomed. Lara, on the other hand, is portrayed as a brilliant inventor and a strong, action-oriented figure who pushes the boundaries of what is possible. Her strength and determination in protecting her family add depth to her character.

Even though this class influence on the story was heavily criticized by a portion of the fandom, we were long overdue for a Superman overhaul, and ‘Absolute Superman’ delivered exactly that without losing sight of who Superman actually is.

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