DC’s newest version ofSupermanhas placed a greater focus on Krypton than ever before, and the co-creator ofAbsolute Supermanpromises there’s more to come regarding Superman’s Kryptonian cape. It’s not just a fashion statement but a part of Superman’s past and, like Krypton itself, key to how he approaches his future.
Speaking aboutAbsolute Superman#4 with AIPT Comics, writer Jason Aaron discussed the inspiration behindSuperman’s new Kryptonian capeand hinted that there’s much more to come from it. Previewing the issue, Aaron said of the cape,“When (Superman) shows up, it’s like a red dust storm kicks up. We’re still scratching the surface of what his Kryptonian technology can do."
So far,readers have seen the cape act as a bulletproof shield, a sandstorm, and a means of carrying people.It’s connected to ‘Sol,’ his onboard AI, and only appears when needed, functioning more like a prehensile limb than fabric. However, there’s still much that readers don’t know about Kal and Kryptonian technology.
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Jason Aaron Discusses the Importance & Deeper Meaning of Superman’s Suit
“The Cape Is a Literal Piece of His Home Planet."– Jason Aaron onAbsolute Superman
Absolute Superman’s version of Krypton has been revelatory for the series so far. Instead of being a distant tragedy that occurred when he was a baby, this version ofKal-El grew up on Krypton, knowing his parents.The injustice he witnessed on his home planet directly fuels his new moral crusade on Earth, where he fights against the corrupt Lazarus Corporation. However, as Aaron points out, there’s still much readers don’t know—particularly about what else Kal’s genius parents may have built into his suit.
Aaron’s interview highlights the cape’s symbolic significance, conveyingit’s more than a costume—it’s a Kryptonian relic, made from Sunstone crystals mined by his father.This reinforces Krypton’s importance to the series. In many Superman stories, Krypton is merely a footnote, a backstory element that exists to be destroyed. The same often applies to Kal-El’s parents, who are more symbolic than fully developed. However, in this series, their unexplained loss is fresh, and Kal-El carries their legacy—like his cape and suit—along with their memory and ideals to Earth.
Jason Aaron: I like that Kal’s suit connects him to both his parents. The cape is a literal piece of his home planet.
Absolute Superman’s Kryptonian Cape Likely Still Holds Untold Secrets
Superman’s Sunstone Crystals May Reveal More Hidden Powers
It’s difficult to predict what additional Kryptonian secrets Superman’s cape may hide, but there are a few possibilities. For one, it’s made of Sunstone Crystals, and since Superman has always been powered by solar radiation, his gear could interact directly with sunlight. The suit might even possess some kind of radiation-based abilities. However, since every character who has encountered the cape has remarked on its sparkling crystals, the Sunstone Crystals could simply be an aesthetic touch. Whatever the case,Superman’sKryptonian technology and heritage will undoubtedly play an even more important role inAbsolute Supermanas the series continues.
