Warning: Spoilers for Absolute Superman #2
Superman’s cape is a staple of his costume that’s stood the test of time since his creation, and it just got a huge design overhaul in DC’s Absolute Universe. The ultimate upgrade to Absolute Superman’s costume has been unveiled, taking his classic cape’s defensive abilities to the next level with its new Kryptonian material.
InAbsolute Superman#2 by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola, and Becca Carey,Superman finds himself cuffed to Lois Lane, who’s a soldier serving the corrupt Lazarus Corporation in this version of continuity. When the other soldiers start firing at them both, Superman protects Lois by unleashing his cape and taking flight with her in tow.
Superman’s cape manifests around him in a malleable cloud of rest dust that defends against attacks, and it’s a far cry from the standard cape most fans are familiar with. This updated cape reinvents a key piece of Superman lore with a twist that fits this thrillingnew Man of Steel.
Absolute Superman Unleashes His New “Sunstone Dust” Cape
Superman’s Cape Receives a Major Upgrade in the Absolute Universe
As Superman flies off into the sky, his cape wraps Lois up in its dust and keeps her safe from theLazarus Corporation’s missiles.Kal-El describes the cape’s material as “sunstone dust”, which seems to originate from Krypton, and he assures Lois that it won’t hurt her. Superman uses his new cape to keep people safe with its array of powers. Because it’s composed of dust in lieu of tangible fabric, Superman can manipulate it into any form in order to protect innocents. He takes advantage of this strength by elongating his cape to cover a group of civilians as he rescues them from fiery destruction.
Absolute Superman’s Sun-Based Powers Get a Major Upgrade, Making Him More Destructive Than Ever
Superman’s powers get redefined in DC’s new Absolute Universe, as it’s revealed that he can no longer control his explosive heat vision.
The most surprising feature of Superman’s new cape is its healing property. He informs a young girl,“Don’t be afraid of the dust. It can treat your wounds.“Sunstone dust doesn’t only protect externally through deflecting attacks from outsiders; this Kryptonian mineral can also mend injuries that have been inflicted. Superman doesn’t normally possesshealing powersthat he can extend to others, so this upgrade allows him to help people in a way he never has before. Superman’s cape in the primary DCU may be impressive in its own right, but it lacks the power to heal, proving that thisAbsolute Universevariant’s cape is an improvement.
Superman’s Iconic Cape Is Reinvented for DC’s Absolute Universe
How Does Superman’s New Cape Differ From the Classic Version?
In DC’s main continuity,Superman’s capeis traditionally designed by his adoptive mother on Earth, Martha Kent. She creates it, along with the rest of his costume, using Kryptonian materials that make it much more durable than standard fabrics. WIth this material,Superman’s cape can be used as a form of armor despite its simultaneous cloth-like quality, shielding himself and others when danger comes his way. Unlike the Absolute Universe’s version, the original cape can’t appear and disappear at will; instead, it remains visible as a permanent part of Superman’s costume, even when it isn’t actively being utilized in battle.
For a recent example of Superman’s protective cape in action, check out Gail Simone and Eddy Barrows' three-part “Superman and the Challenge from the Stars” story inAction Comics#1067-1069, available now from DC Comics!
Despite Superman’s two capes having vastly different appearances, with one being solid and the other being comprised of dust particles, they also share a number of similarities.Both capes can act as a shield to protect Superman and others around him due to the Kryptonian elements they’re made of.Moreover, despite their durability, both capes are softer than they would seem and can encase people in a comfortable way. The exact nature of the Kryptonian sunstone in Absolute Superman’s cape is still a mystery, though the material appears to be powering aspects of his costume beyond his cape.
Absolute Superman’s High-Tech Costume Enhances His Powers in Inventive Ways
Superman’s AI Assistant, Sol, Controls His Sunstone Cape
Superman’s cape is one of many upgrades that have been made to his costume in the Absolute Universe. Such upgrades include the ability torecharge solar energyand an AI assistant called Sol.Superman isn’t as experienced as his main universe counterpart, so Sol’s guidance enables him to channel the powers of his cape effectively in spite of that.When Superman needs to harness enough dust to rescue people, for instance,Sol strips Superman’s costumeapart to pull more of the mineral from it. Without Sol, it’s unlikely that Superman would have full control over his sunstone dust cape.
Sol’s name is derived from the Latin wordsol, which means “sun”, hence the AI’s connection to Superman’s sun-based abilities.
Additionally, Sol is able to use sunstone energy to break the cuffs Lois traps Superman in. Sunstone thus has practical applications beyond forming a cape for Superman, as it’s powerful enough to break through a metal that Sol considers a challenge to dismantle. As Superman’s assistant and confidant, Sol is Superman’s only remainingtether to his Kryptonian heritagenow that he’s been left alone on Earth. In fact,Sol - and, by extension, the cape it helps Superman produce - might have a deeper connection to Superman’s parentsthan surface-level Kryptonian relation.
Absolute Superman’s Cape Is Connected to His Kryptonian Roots
The Fate of Superman’s Parents Holds the Truth About His Cape’s Origin
The origin of Superman’s cape can be traced back to hisKryptonian parents. In a flashback at the end of this issue, Lara and Jor are seen secretly working on a project. Jor has realized that Krypton is doomed, yet the upper echelon refuse to pay his concerns any mind, so he’s taking matters into his own hands and conspiring to flee the planet with his family. To this end, Lara has used sunstone to design what she describes as an"exploratory spacesuit and rocketship all in one”, and the energy it produces is identical to that of Superman’s present-day costume.
The costume Superman wears - as well as the sunstone fueling it - could potentially be a parting gift from his parents, making it all the more impactful.
Lara specifically states that the suit is designed for a child, alluding to an outcome where only Kal-El is sent off-world and saved from Krypton’s destruction. The costume Superman wears - as well as the sunstone fueling it - could potentially be a parting gift from his parents, making it all the more impactful. In the Absolute Universe,Superman spends his childhood on Kryptonwith Lara and Jor rather than on Earth, so it’s fitting that his Kryptonian parents get to contribute to his costume here the same way his Earth parents do in DC’s main continuity.Superman’s new cape is therefore emblematic of what sets him apart from the original.
Absolute Superman#2is 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.
