If you’re hoping for a conventional happy ending in Jason Aaron’s Absolute Superman, you may want to adjust your expectations. In this reimagined universe crafted by Darkseid, superheroes are fundamentally altered, leaving behind the promise of joyful conclusions. Aaron’s narrative plunges characters into a grim Absolute Universe, sharply contrasting with their well-known origins, where optimism is a scarce commodity.
In a recent interview with CBR, Aaron elaborated on his vision for both Batman: Off-World and Absolute Superman. This discussion highlights his innovative take on the Man of Steel and his classic allies, such as Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen.
“Nobody Is Where They’re Supposed To Be.”– Jason Aaron on the Characters of Absolute Superman
Main Cover by Rafa Sandoval & Ulises Arreola for Absolute Superman #4 (2025)
When Jason Aaron asserts that “nobody is where they’re supposed to be, ” he illustrates how familiar characters have undergone startling transformations. Notably, Lois Lane emerges as a key member of the Lazarus Corps—a militarized force masquerading as a peacekeeping group. For many fans, witnessing Lois associated with a despotic organization is a shocking shift from her traditional role.
Similarly, Jimmy Olsen’s reveal in Absolute Superman #4 as a member of the Omega Men reframes him as a battle-hardened freedom fighter, drastically deviating from his usual persona. This stark reimagining reflects the chaotic and violent atmosphere of the Absolute Universe.
Superman himself is portrayed quite differently in this iteration; stripped of his identity, family, and home, this version of the hero lacks the grounding aspects that define Kal-El in the standard narrative. Aaron points out that this interpretation aligns with the pervasive darkness of the Absolute Universe and the influence of Darkseid, resulting in characters that embody the world’s inherent brokenness and despair. He notes that, “nobody that we’ve seen so far has a great happy ending” in this transformed universe.
Jason Aaron: As I’ve said, I think one of my mandates to myself with this Absolute universe, is everyone Superman meets, everyone we meet that we know, characters that we’re familiar with from the regular universe, nobody should be where we expect them to be, right? Nobody is where they’re “supposed to be.”Given the nature of this universe and the darkness, the Darkseid energy that’s at the heart of it, this is a broken, corrupted universe. So nobody got the great happy endings. Nobody that we’ve seen so far has a great happy ending. They’re all in the wrong spot.
Are Absolute Lois Lane & Jimmy Olsen Too Far Removed From the Characters We Know and Love?
2nd Printing Cover by Rafa Sandoval & Ulises Arreola for Absolute Superman #1 (2024)
While the shifts in character dynamics in Absolute Superman are striking, they raise an important question: are Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen too far detached from the beloved versions we have cherished over the years? In this narrative, the trio finds themselves on opposite sides, particularly with Lois deeply entangled in a malevolent organization. Although her character doesn’t fit snugly within the “villain” label, she vastly diverges from her classic role as a relentless advocate for justice.
However, despite her redefined persona, Aaron effectively retains the essence that makes Lois who she is. Her instinct to question her allegiance upon encountering Superman demonstrates that her fundamental character traits persist. Similarly, Jimmy experiences a transformation that hints at this ongoing internal conflict. As Kal-El’s presence challenges their beliefs, it sparks self-reflection in both characters, prompting them to reevaluate their paths: “I thought I was doing the right thing until I met that guy… Am I on the right side?” This indicates that the core identities of Lois and Jimmy remain recognizable, suggesting they aren’t excessively estranged from fans’ expectations.
Jason Aaron: It’s like you shook the universe and the pieces went in the wrong direction. Then Superman enters the stage. We then see, certainly with Lois Lane, and maybe you get a hint of that with Jimmy in this issue, that when these characters encounter Superman, it’s like they start to become aware of that a little bit.“I thought I was doing the right thing until I met that guy.””I know THAT guy’s doing the right thing, ”or those are the questions that I think are starting to bubble to the surface with those characters. Just encountering Superman completely changes everything for them, and they start to get a sense of, “AM I on the right side?”
Aaron Explains the Method to the Madness of the Absolute Universe
Main Cover by Rafa Sandoval & Ulises Arreola for Absolute Superman #1 (2024)
As Aaron elaborates on his narrative ambitions for characters like Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, he emphasizes the overarching theme of the Absolute Universe: “We’re trying to tell new stories here…” He believes that effectively utilizing established characters in unexpected roles can yield both familiar and innovative narratives. His approach of placing these characters in unprecedented scenarios has led to compelling storytelling throughout the initial issues of Absolute Superman.
For those interested in diving into this intriguing new chapter for Superman and his allies, the latest developments certainly offer a fascinating perspective on a time-honored franchise.
Source: CBR
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