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What’s the key difference between the regular version of Superman and DC’s Absolute Superman? According to the man who writes him, it’s that changing the time setting for the character’s emergence into the world has changed the meaning of his story.

The Absolute universe version of Superman’s “more of an immigrant” than the regular DCU incarnation of the character, Jason Aaron told the crowd during the DC: Celebrate Superman panel at C2E2 2025. And, he continued, “doing an immigrant story in 2025 is very different than doing an immigrant story in 1938.” (For anyone wondering why: take a look at the news.)

As a result, Aaron continued, “this guy is angry. He got angrier once he came here.”

Given that the origin story of the Absolute Kal-El that fans have already been responding so positively to — Absolute Superman, like the other Absolute titles, has been one of DC’s best-sellers since launch — has revealed that this version of the character was old enough to get to know his parents before their death, as well as be part of an uprising against Krypton’s ruling class, the idea that he’s angrier now that he’s on Earth really is saying something. So where does he go next, with all of this anger inside of him?

Back home, of course.

“A lot more Kansas stuff to come in this [upcoming] arc,” Aaron promised the audience, adding, “Kal-El has a really steep climb to make to become Superman.”

Absolute Superman continues monthly from DC. Keep your eyes on Popverse for more on Superman, and more from C2E2, soon.

Did you miss a C2E2 Main Stage panel? Don't worry, we're filming it all thanks to our partners at CGC x JSA -  our official authenticator & grading partner. Here is the C2E2 2025 panel livestream & VOD release schedule.