Superman is a legendary character. When DC announced he was one of the big three to headline the Absolute universe I was immediately intrigued. What turned my intrigue into excitement was the fact that iconic comic writer Jason Aaron was attached to write the series. Over past decade, Aaron has solidified his legacy in comics with his groundbreaking run on Thor, Avengers, Bug Wars, and most recently, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Understandably, I was more than excited to see him bring to Superman that same energy and sharp writing he not only brought to those series, but everything his name is on. This being an Absolute title, Aaron wasn’t restricted to the decades of History Superman has under his belt. Rather, he could start a fresh origin for the character under the banner. I was a huge fan of this, due in part to the fact that we aren’t subjected to the same origin we’ve seen for years on end in movies television, and comics.

Alongside longtime Superman artist Rafa Sandoval, Aaron introduces us to a preteen Kal-El, that got to grow up briefly with his Kryptonian parents and this is one of the most exciting aspects of this series, and something never really seen in a mainstream Superman title. In classic fashion, Jason is able to take Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van and give them rich histories and put readers right in the middle of the class struggle that plagues the dying Krypton. Getting to experience the fall of the planet this way, through the eyes of the El family is such a unique spin on the origins and makes it all the more tragic, given that the outcome is preordained. Transitioning between present and past in each issue is such a wise choice, not giving us a full picture at once, showing how a young man deals with the loss of a planet and family, rather than learning about it decades later. This series does a great job of keeping the principles and ideologies of Superman the same, but changing almost everything else about his world.

Absolute Superman, while not doing much new with the titular character, gives him a fish out of water type vibe, allowing him to figure out the type of hero he wants to be, while introducing us to newer, more radical versions of Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, and militarized versions of Peacemaker and the often forgotten Omega Men. Jason Aaron and artists Rafa Sandoval and Carmine Di Giandomenico tell yet another inspiring and at times gut-wrenching tale of what it means to be a hero and inspire others, while crafting their own corner of the Absolute world fans are falling in love with. For fans of Aaron, Superman or Absolute titles, Absolute Superman ranks up there with the best and shouldn’t be missed.

9/10.