Goodbye, Kansas: DC’s New Superman Calls A Different Country Home in Its Absolute Universe

WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #1!

Smallville, Kansas, as Superman’s Earth home, is a piece of lore nearly as old as the character himself and has become a central part of his origin story and identity over the decades. However, Absolute Superman has completely erased this aspect of the Man of Steel’s background, starting his story not only in a different country but on an entirely different continent.

…this twist is particularly noteworthy as it aligns with DC’s ongoing effort to distance Superman from his American roots…

Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola, and Becca Carey’s Absolute Superman #1 is a brilliant reimagining of Superman’s origin story and character, completely disregarding some of the Man of Steel’s most classic lore while putting a unique spin on other parts.

One of the biggest changes is that this Superman didn’t crash-land as an infant in Smallville, Kansas, and therefore was never raised by the Kents. Instead, Kal-El of Krypton is presented to readers as a wanderer of Earth with no home and no family, and interestingly, his story doesn’t even begin in the United States but rather in the country of Brazil.

Goodbye, USA: Absolute Superman Officially Debuts in BRAZIL

Absolute Superman Is the Ultimate Wanderer Without a Home

To clarify, it’s not yet clear exactly where Superman first arrived on Earth or all the countries he has visited, but his story begins in a small mining town in Brazil. Therefore, for now, Brazil serves as Superman’s base, marking his official debut and making this beautiful South American country an integral part of the Absolute Man of Steel’s lore. Yet, despite his current presence in the town, it’s evident that Kal-El remains a stranger to the locals—a wanderer, a drifter, a man of mystery.

This impression is reinforced when a friendly miner approaches Kal-El, hinting at the townspeople’s curiosity about him. To them, he’s a mystery; they’re unsure what language he speaks, and some even speculate he might be a “wild boy of the Amazon.” While Kal-El doesn’t respond to these comments, he does mention that he has seen “the wonders” of Earth, confirming his status as a wanderer. Later, in an internal monologue, Kal-El reveals that he has spent years running “all across the planet,” painting a somber picture—a Superman without a home.

This is a major departure from Superman’s classic lore, where his identity is deeply tied to Smallville, Kansas, and the upbringing he received from Martha and Jonathan Kent. In the Absolute Universe, however, this Kal-El has experienced the opposite: always on the move, constantly running, never belonging to one place. Yet, it’s notable that when the Lazarus Corps Force—a militarized police force—begins to threaten the miners, Superman steps in, internally declaring that he’s done running. This moment raises the possibility that this version of Superman may indeed find a homebase in Brazil.

Absolute Superman Propels DC Closer to Their Goal of Reinventing the Man of Steel as a Global Hero

From “Truth, Justice, and the American Way” to “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow.”

Absolute Superman being a hero without a home is a major departure from the Man of Steel’s usual lore, and this twist is particularly noteworthy as it aligns with DC’s ongoing effort to distance Superman from his American roots, presenting him as a hero for the entire world. Although Superman’s legacy has always aimed at a better world, his American-centered origin and iconic slogan, “Truth, Justice, and the American Way,” have traditionally cast him in a distinctly American light—which is by no means a negative thing, as many fans love–myself included–this part of Superman’s character history.

However, in 2021, DC shifted Superman’s slogan to “Truth, Justice, and a Better Tomorrow,” signaling a clear intent to broaden his association beyond the United States. This change was confirmed by DC’s Chief Creative Officer and Publisher, Jim Lee, at DC Fandom 2021, where he explained, “Superman has long been a symbol of hope who inspires people from around the world, and it is that optimism and hope that powers him forward with this new mission statement.” While this is true, the mainstream Superman of Earth-Prime remains closely tied to the USA in fans’ minds.

The introduction of Absolute Superman as a “wanderer of the world” is a brilliant way to establish this version of the Man of Steel as a global hero, free from allegiance to any single country. The Absolute Universe gives creators like Aaron the freedom to take characters in fresh directions that reflect DC’s evolving values and vision, without erasing the beloved history that has shaped these characters from the beginning. In essence, Absolute Superman allows DC to finally fulfill their goal of presenting the Man of Steel as a true hero for the world.

Superman Grew Up in Krypton’s Redlands With His Mother & Father

Kal-El Came to Earth Much Later in the Absolute Universe Narrative

Although fans are still left in the dark about Absolute Superman’s arrival on Earth, we do know he grew up on Krypton, specifically in the “Redlands.” A poignant three-page flashback shows the El family—Lara, Jor, a dog that seems to be Krypto, and a young Kal-El, around ten years old. This marks a sharp departure from the familiar origin, where Superman is sent to Earth as a helpless infant. Hence, growing up on Krypton with his parents may be the closest Kal-El has ever had to a true home—until the planet’s inevitable destruction, of course.

Absolute Superman #1 Confirms the Existence of the Kent Farm in Kansas

Does Kal-El Still Have a Chance at Claiming His Clark Kent Identity?

While Absolute Superman has been stripped of his Kansas upbringing, there’s still a chance it could play a role in his story. Aaron has confirmed that the Kents and their farm did, at least at one point, exist. This is shown in a single page depicting the decaying, seemingly abandoned Kent farm, now ominously marked as “Property of Lazarus Corp.” It’s unclear whether this is a teaser for future developments or the end of the Kents’ involvement in the narrative. However, it does open up intriguing possibilities, particularly regarding Absolute Superman potentially finding his Clark Kent identity—a role he currently lacks.

Absolute Superman #1 is available now from DC Comics!