Absolute Superman #3

Recap
MEMORIES OF KRYPTON! Years ago on Krypton, Jor-El and Lara became utterly convinced that their planet was headed towards cataclysm. But what could two lowly peons of the Labor Guild possibly do to save their entire species? The answer is decidedly not what you think...
Review
Krypton has been, and potentially always will be, best left a ghost. A haunting reminder of a past world Clark Kent will never be able to have, but one that’s guided his present and future with such a firm hand. This issue of Absolute Superman promised to finally deliver on the origins of Aaron’s Superman, but more so finally lets readers into the mind of the character most important to this book, Kal-El, the man behind the persona of ‘Superman.’ It maintains that ghost-like tragedy of Krypton’s fall, but twists the knife deeper than ever before as this is a ghost that Kal will go his entire life remembering, more than just a distant memory.
It’s in this big, gaudy, science-fiction backstory that gives this issue a ‘make or break’ sensation for the future of this title for many readers. It takes its time to establish a fully developed take on Krypton that goes harder with unsubtle parallels to Earth that strip it of its alien mysticism. Really, the only thing that sets it apart outside of the technology is the grab-bag assortment of crazy locales.
It’s the environment of its social structure that is most important to the issue, however, as its framework clearly shapes this version of Superman’s idea of heroism and justice in a way previously unseen. This is counterbalanced by the selflessness of his parents, who are more active as people trying to save Krypton than their core universe counterparts. The decision to make Kal’s pod not a single ship but instead one built to save anyone and everyone they can is a clear declaration of character for them that elevates what they stood for in the original Superman origin but with a stronger, more evident show of heroism.
It’s that exploration of character philosophy, told through the lens of an elevated coming-of-age tale, that made this issue so stellar. The overall plot of this book so far is a little disjointed and unclear, but this singular issue does so much right with the characters here it retroactively makes the distant pacing of the first two issues a bit stronger.
We know how this ‘Superman’ operates as a brute dedicated to protecting those without the power to do so themselves, but Aaron pens such an engaging tale about a boy losing his clarity on life, growing rebellious and messy in a system that decides everyone’s track for them. Within that, we see him grow into a role that’s unheard of on this world, that of a true-to-form muckraker journalist.
A voice for truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
Rafa Sandoval continues to outperform himself with every new issue. The emotion he’s able to wring out of every panel here is shocking, and Arreola’s colors make the pink hues of Krypton’s many environments pop. The two complement each other very well, grounding the story without draining it of its larger-than-life nature.
Final Thoughts
Absolute Superman #3 is the full-tilt into truth that this series has played around with since the first issue that readers have been waiting for. It finally establishes exactly what kind of world this Superman is hailing from, and one that finally allows us to get closer to not just Aaron's 'Absolute Superman', but his Kal-El as well.
Absolute Superman #3: Memories of Krypton
- Writing - 8.5/108.5/10
- Storyline - 8/108/10
- Art - 10/1010/10
- Color - 10/1010/10
- Cover Art - 8.5/108.5/10