Absolute Superman #3

We are back once again with the latest instalment of the Absolute universe, Absolute Superman #3. As we plunge head first into the new year, this issue sets us up for big changes and teases what’s to come to the series in 2025. There is a lot to talk about, so without delay, lets get into our Absolute Superman #3 review.

In Nerdy Nook fashion, this review will be spoiler free, but make sure you have read through the previous issues before continuing.

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The Review

Image by DC Comics

In the last issue we saw Superman seemingly winning over the support of Lois Lane, which leads him to start to investigate Lazarus aka, as we learnt last issue, Brainiac. Absolute Superman #3‘s only focus however, is back on Krypton when Jor-El and Lara are faced with the terrible responsibility to risk it all in order to save their son.

Absolute Superman #3 started strong by giving us a closer look at Krypton in a flashback, set 6 years ago, and ultimately what brought Kal-El to Earth. The out of this world environments shown in this comic are breath taking, you actually feel as though you have been transported to Superman’s home planet.

This issue, we also got a closer look at Kal-El’s relationship with his parents. This is a family who cares about each other. You can feel the love with every page turn and it is truly a powerful thing, it almost makes me feel deeply sympathetic that the usual Superman we know and love did not get the chance to build this bond with his parents – though the Kent’s are just as loving, this just feels different. You might think it was difficult reading these parts, and you would mostly be right, until the end of this issue.

Image by DC Comics

Something even more out of the ordinary, which became more clear in Absolute Superman #3, is that Kal-El is actually not even close to being one of Krypton’s greatest. Instead he has more of a passion for writing than fighting, which ties in perfectly with his normal alter ego as Clark Kent. This then begs the question ‘why send Kal-El, your most mediocre to another planet to continue the Kryptonian ways’? This is something I did not hate, but I could not help but see the selfishness in Jor-El and Lara’s intentions – it was not necessarily for the greater good but instead a chance to give their child a full life.

This does however open up a lot of opportunities for us to see the Absolute Superman grow and expand on this universe much more than it first seemed.

Surprisingly, nothing about Absolute Superman #3 felt like filler. Of course you could easily skip this comic if you wanted to just progress with the broader story on earth, but I would wager that Superman may face repercussions for the events in this comic – the backstory really is solid and in all honesty you would regret it if you skipped it anyway so just don’t be that guy!

Image by DC Comics

Absolute Superman #3 is nothing less than genius. The connection between Kal-El and his parents was both beautiful and heart-breaking, the bond this family shared shined throughout the issue. This is arguably the best comic to release in the Absolute universe, finally dethroning Absolute Batman #1. This strong start to 2025 has set up another strong year for DC comics and the ever expanding Absolute Universe.

What are your thoughts on Absolute Superman #3 and the entire Absolute universe so far? Whatever your thoughts and feelings, share them with us in the comment section of this article.

See also: Previous issue review

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