Warning! Contains Spoilers For Absolute Superman #5!

Superman's history with Krypton has been explored a lot over the years, and in most interpretations, the El family were well respected on Krypton, but in the Absolute Universe, they were wanted criminals. As shocking as it might sound, long before Superman ever made it to Earth, Superman's family was sentenced to death by the Kryptonian Government.

Krypton has a lot of lore, but one of the most important bits is the fact that the planet violently exploded. In the Prime Universe, it was Jor-El who first discovered that the planet would explode, and he attempted to warn the rest of Krypton, who refused to believe him. But Absolute Superman #5 by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sandoval, puts a wild twist on this.

After the El family learns that Krypton is going to explode, Kal-El and his family publish their findings to the world, causing widespread panic and chaos. This results in the Science Guild–who were already aware of the impending catastrophe–ordering the El family to be executed, labeling them as dangerous criminals.

The Absolute Universe Introduces a Corrupt Science Guild

Absolute Superman #5 by Jason Aaron, Rafa Sandoval, Ulises Arreola, and Becca Carey

The El family was among the most prestigious scientific minds Krypton had to offer, with Jor-El making groundbreaking discoveries like the Phantom Zone in the Prime Universe. Unfortunately, the leaders of Krypton never seemed to take Jor-El seriously, regardless of the universe. In the Prime Universe, Jor-El's warnings about the planet’s imminent destruction were completely ignored until it was too late. However, in the Absolute Universe, there was a much darker reason why the Science Guild ignored the El family.

Krypton wasn’t the beacon of progress in the Absolute Universe as it was in the Prime Universe. Instead, Krypton operated under a strict caste system, with the Labor Guild far beneath the rest. Free speech and independent thought were practically outlawed, and children were expected to use AI to write their school reports. The written word was looked down upon, likely because the Science Guild sought to suppress any form of free expression to maintain their control. This was confirmed when it was revealed that the Science Guild had known Krypton was doomed to explode.

Absolute Superman Knows the True Importance and Cost of Truth

The Corrupt Science Guild’s Role in Shaping Superman's Path to Truth and Justice

This corruption of the Science Guild is ultimately why Kal-El and his family were sentenced to death: they exposed the truth about Krypton’s impending destruction. By blowing the whistle on the planet's fate, they revealed the cover-up to the public. This moment also ties perfectly into why Kal-El will likely later become a journalist. Having witnessed firsthand the power of the written word to spread truth, it wouldn't be surprising for him to pursue journalism, especially when Earth faces a similar corrupt force in the form of the Lazarus Corporation.

While Superman has had conflicts with the government in the Prime Universe, he’s never been sentenced to death by them. The idea of Superman’s family being forced to flee an exploding Krypton due to a corrupt government marks a significant shift in his backstory, but it works seamlessly. What better foundation for Superman to become the ultimate champion of truth and justice than to experience firsthand the consequences of a government willing to do anything to suppress both?

Absolute Superman #5 is on sale from DC Comics on March 12, 2025!