Journey back to Smallville with Jason Aaron and guest artist Carmine Di Giandomenico in Absolute Superman #6 to witness the hero’s secret origin. What unsettling truth about Smallville is about to be revealed? Let’s find out!
We kick things off six years ago, out in the lonely expanse of deep space. Young Kal-El is drifting, still reeling months after Krypton blew up. He’s clearly not okay, telling his AI suit, Sol, to drop him into the nearest big yellow sun. But luckily for him, it’s our sun – Earth’s sun. He’s saved! From the jump, Aaron and Di Giandomenico let us know Kal isn’t in a good headspace.
Then we meet the Absolute Kents, and they’ve got their problems. They’re dealing with the Lazarus Corps, your classic greedy corporation trying to strong-arm them off their property. Lazarus is one of those huge conglomerates with its fingers in everything; we find out they’ve been messing with the Kents for a while, even using weather-controlling drones, which Kal promptly takes care of. Like a lot of Superman origin stories, this part feels familiar. The big difference? It’s a teen Kal-El, not a baby, who lands on the farm.
There’s a quick montage of the Kents trying to nurse Kal back to health – not easy for the older couple. But when Kal finally wakes up, we get a heartfelt moment. Di Giandomenico’s art here is stunning, showing these wide-open fields under a gentle sun. Ulises Arreola’s colors add this warm orange glow, making the scene work beautifully. The comic wraps up with a twist – maybe not a total shocker for everyone, but it makes you wonder what’s next for Absolute Superman. Guess we’ll have to wait and see!
Credits: DC Comics
Superman isn’t having an easy time in Jason Aaron’s Absolute Superman. After his home planet tragically explodes, he lands on Earth and gets off to a rough start. He eventually finds a second home with wonderful people, only to be repeatedly forced onto the run by a shadowy organization. Their motives seem tied to his powers, but exactly what they want remains frustratingly unclear.
On the positive side, the scene where Kal-El awakens on the Kent farm is momentous and heartwarming. I really appreciate the parallel Aaron draws between Kal’s upbringing on Krypton and his new life on Earth—both rooted in a farm setting. This connection likely makes the transition feel more like home for him. Adding to this thoughtful characterization, the dynamic with Martha Kent as an engineer and Jonathan as the traditional farmer offers another great parallel.
Speaking of the Kents, it seems they are fundamentally good people in nearly every universe. Here, Jonathan Kent’s apprehension feels entirely natural – who wouldn’t be cautious about an alien having nightmares upstairs? His reaction grounds the situation more realistically than Martha’s immediate acceptance, though both reactions work well for their characters.
Beyond the character moments, there’s also something undeniably powerful about seeing Superman lift a tractor. It evokes that classic, iconic imagery dating back to him lifting the car in Action Comics #1 – a visual that never gets old.
On a more critical note, one minor point that made me pause was Sol mentioning “human life” seemingly before they should be aware that humans exist. It felt like a slight oversight.
Credits: DC Comics
Carmine Di Giandomenico’s fantastic artwork brings it all to life, infusing the pages with energy and emotion. The art team brilliantly captures the force of Kal’s arrival with a visceral “KA-THOOOM” as he crash-lands on the farm. Di Giandomenico’s dynamic pencils convey the chaotic impact, perfectly complemented by Ulises Arreola’s color palette—rich reds and oranges that imbue the panels with fiery, colliding energy.
This impactful storytelling continues when Kal awakens and bursts free for the first time, marked by a destructive “KRRRSHH.” Here, Di Giandomenico’s art shows boards and splinters flying, with Becca Carey’s lettering vividly capturing the sound of his forceful emergence.
Absolute Superman #6 offers a tweaked origin, focusing on Kal-El’s challenging teenage arrival and adoption by the Kents. While the issue benefits from strong character beats, especially the heartwarming Kent family dynamics, and Carmine Di Giandomenico’s striking visuals, these strengths struggle against a slow-moving main plot.
‘Absolute Superman’ #6 Review: Trouble on the Kent Farm
Absolute Superman #6 offers a tweaked origin, focusing on Kal-El’s challenging teenage arrival and adoption by the Kents. While the issue benefits from strong character beats, especially the heartwarming Kent family dynamics, and Carmine Di Giandomenico’s striking visuals, these strengths struggle against a slow-moving main plot.
