In Absolute Superman #1 by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola, and Becca Carey, Superman engages in his long-awaited first battle as the Lazarus Corporation's exploitation of workers pushes him over the edge. He manages to hold his own against the legion of Peacemakers, but when the Phenomena Field Team is sent out to take over, Superman decides to use his heat vision - despite Sol, the A.I. powering his suit, reminding him that he is unable to control this power.
Superman's heat vision explodes out of him in a stunning burst of red and yellow light, wiping out his surroundings with astounding might. This is the most destructive version of this ability that Superman's ever had at his disposal, upgrading Superman's abilities to a horrifying new level.
Superman's Explosive New Powers Make Him the Absolute Universe's Most Dangerous Superhero
Absolute Superman Is More Destructive Than His Classic Counterpart
Superman uses his heat vision freely in the main universe - hence it being one of his most iconic Kryptonian superpowers - but in the Absolute Universe, he only utilizes it as a last resort when he feels backed into a corner due to the danger it poses. Rather than emitting light through concentrated blasts the way his classic counterpart does, this Superman immediately loses control of his powers the second his heat vision is activated. If he'd kept going, there's no telling how much damage he could have caused. The power is too great even for Superman, and he ends up begging Sol to shut him down.
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Original Designs for Absolute Superman Reveal Intended Logo & Costume Differences for New Man of Steel
Absolute Superman has an incredibly eye-catching design, which makes it all the more surprising that DC just revealed he almost looked different.
Superman's new costume is the key to containing his overwhelming power. Once his heat vision goes haywire, Sol powers him down through the suit, revealing its functionality beyond its hardcore design and preventing Superman from laying waste to everything in sight. But the costume does more than suppress him. With each attack Superman unleashes, Sol informs him of how much damage he's able to do, and he's also seen charging the costume to build up solar energy. Superman's suit regulates his powers to keep him from becoming an unbridled force of destruction, which shows how formidable he would be without that regulation.
Superman's Sun-Based Abilities Get Redefined in DC's Absolute Universe
Superman's Greatest Power Now Has a Huge Drawback
Kryptonian powers are influenced by the suns they reside under, and Superman's are no different. The yellow sun gives him a massive power boost, hence why he's able to tap into a god-like level of power on Earth due to the planet's sun. He then channels that solar energy into his powers, such as his heat vision. Absolute Superman may need a suit to charge him with the sun's energy, but the classical rendition of the character charges organically. He can even fly into the sun for a power-up, proving that he's mastered his sun-based powers in a way his Absolute variant hasn't.
It was first revealed that Superman's powers are fueled by Earth's sun in a back-up story from 1959's Action Comics #262 by Otto Binder and Jim Mooney.
It's worth noting that, in DC's core timeline, Superman has complete control of his powers. This control makes him a serious force to be reckoned with, as he wields heat vision without fearing any drawbacks. The Absolute Universe, however, depicts this ability as wildly unstable and thus unsafe. Superman's heat vision, an ability that's become synonymous with his heroic feats, gets rewritten in the Absolute Universe as a terrifying power that should be kept under wraps. If he wants to use his heat vision as effectively as the original, this new Superman has training to do.
Absolute Superman Has the Potential to Surpass the Original With His Upgraded Powers
The Absolute Universe's Superman Could Be the Best - If He Learns to Control His Powers
Although the Absolute Universe's version of Superman has powers that are more unpredictable than those of his counterpart, they have the potential to be an asset instead of a liability if honed properly. One blast from Superman is enough to level the surrounding terrain, and that's without his costume being fully charged with solar energy. Learning to harness his heat vision could make Absolute Superman even stronger than the original Man of Steel. This Superman's powers are unlike those of any other variant in DC lore, and with time, he might have what it takes to become DC's most powerful Kryptonian.
Absolute Superman #1 is available now from DC Comics.
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
Created By Joe Shuster , Jerry Siegel
First Appearance Action Comics
Alias Kal-El, Clark Kent, Jonathan Kent
Alliance Justice League, Superman Family
Race Kryptonian
Summary
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
English (US) ·