Superman's costume is a classic superhero look that has influenced countless other designs throughout the DC Universe. How, then, does one go about re-imagining it from the ground up? Deg an entirely new character is a daunting task to undertake in its own right, but redeg a hero as prolific as Superman is bound to be an even greater challenge. Luckily, one DC creative was up to the task when the time came.

With the arrival of the Absolute Universe, traditional Justice League heroes have been rebooted for DC's new continuity, and Superman's killer new suit has been one of the most shocking changes thus far. In an interview with Comic Frontier, Absolute Superman artist Rafa Sandoval discusses the process that went into deg this ambitious new version of Superman.

I also had many notes from both the editor and the writer, and there I was at my drawing table with the mission of getting something new, something shocking, but at the same time I had to get a design that maintained some very characteristic elements of the original Superman. If I didn't, there was a chance that it would be difficult for readers to familiarize themselves with the new look of such an iconic hero. I wanted to keep some of Superman's signature details like the wavy hair, facial structure, and certain aspects of the uniform. The emblem, for example, had to be a new version that could be recognized at first sight.

Here, Sandoval opens up about the challenges that arise when revamping a character like Superman whose design is so deeply ingrained in the minds of readers. His darker take on Kal-El is a stark contrast to his usual bright appearance, yet Absolute Superman isn't as different from the original as he seems.

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Sandoval's intention with Superman's Absolute counterpart was to maintain elements that are commonly associated with Superman so that major changes, such as the more faded blue and lack of red trunks, wouldn't be so jarring. To this end, he zeroed in on traits that are iconic to the hero and interpreted them in a different way. For instance, Superman still has his signature curl over his forehead, but his hair has been lengthened so that there are more curls present. Likewise, Superman has an "S" crest emblazoned on his chest that's been modified, yet doesn't stray too far from his standard iconography.

One of the biggest updates to Superman's design is his cape. Superman's cape is a staple of his character, so any design would be remiss not to include one. Absolute Superman's, however, features artistic liberties. In reference to the cape, Sandoval explains his intentions behind its visual overhaul.

My mission was to get all those detailed descriptions into a definitive image and create the necessary visual effects for what happens with this new layer. The edges of the cape had to be more fragmented to give it that sense of movement, but it didn't have to be simply the equivalent of the movement of a flag fluttering in the wind. It had to be flexible, but not inert. And it wasn't easy. I had to make several versions until one day I came across the final version that responded to all the needs of what we were going to see in this story.

The "sense of movement" Sandoval alludes to is a result of the cape's unique material. In the Absolute Universe, Superman's cape is composed of sunstone dust that can be manipulated at will. Sandoval's art succeeds at translating series writer Jason Aaron's innovative ideas to the page, while never straying from what defines Superman.

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Superman's redesign manages to strike a delicate balance between the old and the new, just as Sandoval intended. While it does take artistic liberties that allow it to stand out as a departure from what readers know, it is still recognizably a Absolute Universe's darker tone. Sandoval has created Superman as he would have been conceived in the world of today, redefining the Man of Steel for DC's thrilling new continuity.

Absolute Superman #1-3 are available now from DC Comics.

Source: Comic Frontier