WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #1!
AbsoluteSupermanhas finally arrived in DC Comics, and he’s already kicking ass and taking names. While fans anticipated big changes with this iteration of the Man of Steel, DC has delivered a heartbreaking twist, erasing two defining aspects of his identity. It’s clear that this is not the Superman fans have loved for over 86 years of comic history.
…the Absolute Man of Steel’s journey will center on his search for self and truth.
Released on June 19, 2025,Absolute Superman#1by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola, and Becca Carey brings lore-altering changes to Superman’s origin, character design, and core identity.
Among these shifts, two stand out as particularly striking: the removal of his civilian identity as Clark Kent and his unwavering sense of truth.These erasures strike at the heart of who Superman has always been, carrying major implications that are bound to become focal points in the unfolding story.
Absolute Superman#1 Strips the Man of Steel of His Clark Kent Identity
Superman Reveals That He No Longer Has a Name (So Who Is He?)
Ever sincethe solicitation forAbsolute Superman#1released months ago, it was clear that this version of the Man of Steel was unlikely to follow in the original’s footsteps, especially regarding his Smallville upbringing with the loving Martha and Jonathan Kent. The synopsis teased this shift:“Without the fortress… without the family… without a home… what’s left is the Absolute Man of Steel!”This implication made it clear that Absolute Superman would be far removed from the identity of Clark Kent, because how could there be a Clark Kent without Ma and Pa Kent?
Now,Absolute Superman#1 has officially confirmed this lore change in perhaps the most heartbreaking way possible. In one scene, a miner and resident of the mining town that Superman is passing through approaches the Man of Steel, introducing himself and asking,“Do you have a name?”Superman’s response,“Not anymore.”not only confirms that this version of the Man of Steel has been stripped of his Clark Kent identity, but it also reveals that he sees himself as having no identity at all. This revelation hits hard, showing just how profoundly alone this Superman is in the world.
Since Clark Kent has always been such a major part of Superman’s lore, fans are left wondering: who, exactly, is this Superman? The Kent name is so much more than just a name—it was essential in shaping the character that fans have come to know and love.Much of Superman’s essence is tied to his identity as the son of Martha and Jonathan Kent. This raises several pressing questions: Who is this Superman, who never received the Kent-instilled morals, who wasn’t raised among humans and therefore never developed a personal identity that connects him to humanity?
Absolute Superman’s First Ever Fight Debuts His Explosive Heat Vision
As DC introduces its new Absolute Superman, the new take on the Man of Steel unleashes apocalyptic heat vision like nothing fans have seen before.
Absolute Superman Differs From the Original in 1 Major Way: His Sense of“Truth”
Kal-El No Longer Has the Morals Ma & Pa Kent Instilled In Him In the Main DCU
In addition to Absolute Superman’s separation from the Clark Kent identity,another key revelation is his struggle with his sense of“truth.”This becomes evident during his conversation with the miner, when Superman asks,“I’ve seen the wonder of your world. And I’ve seen a lot of places like this. Industries that run on suffering. How do you know which is the truth?”Superman questioning the very nature of truth marks a significant departure from the core of his character, as a strong sense of truth has always been an unwavering part of the Man of Steel’s identity.
Superman’s truth-centric identity is most famously embodied by his iconic slogan:“Truth, Justice, and the American Way.”First introduced on the 1940s radio programThe Adventures of Superman, this phrase has been synonymous with him ever since. Even with the 2021 update to“Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow,”the essence remains unchanged, reinforcing truth as a cornerstone of Superman’s character. Therefore, this new uncertainty about truth signals a major shift in DC’s portrayal of the Man of Steel—further underscoring its importance to his identity.
This loss of a clear sense of truth is tied directly to the erasure of his Clark Kent identity, as it was Ma and Pa Kent who instilled these values in him. This influence is recognizedin Tom King’sWonder Woman#7, when Clark admits,“I’m just whoever Ma raised,“after Diana Prince tells him,“You know something? You’re a good man, Clark Kent.“This connection highlights the profound impact the loss of his Clark Kent identity has on this version of Superman. As such,fans can expect Superman’s journey to discover a“sense of truth”to be a central theme in his storymoving forward.
Clark Kent Might Not Exist in the Absolute Universe, But Kal-El Does (Kinda)
Absolute SupermanWill Spotlight the Man of Steel’s Search for Identity
Despite Absolute Superman being stripped of his Clark Kent identity, his identity as Kal-El remains intact—perhaps even more so, considering this version of Superman arrived on Earth much later, rather than as an infant. Hence, he grew up on Krypton, living as Kal-El. However, while the Kal-El name is still a part of his lore, it’s clear that he has distanced himself from it. This becomes evident through his dialogue with the miner, as well as a later internal reflection where he reveals,“Dreaming of a time so long ago when I still knew who I was.”It’s evident that Absolute Superman feels disconnected from even his Kryptonian roots.
Though Superman’s loss of identity is heartbreaking, it also introduces an element of intrigue, as it’s becoming increasingly clear that the Absolute Man of Steel’s journey will center on his search for self and truth. Fans will witness his evolution into a hero, discovering his moral code along the way. Additionally, it will be fascinating to see whether he reclaims the name Kal-El or forges a new identity for himself. There is also the intriguing possibility that AbsoluteSupermancould eventually find the Clark Kent identity in an unexpected way.
Absolute Superman Rewrites His Kryptonian Origin, Merging The House of El & The Kents in A Brilliant Twist
Superman’s always had two sets of parents, one at the highest level of society, and one the salt of the Earth. DC’s Absolute Universe just fused them.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #1 (2024)
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.
