In this review of Superman: Kingdom of Zod Special #1, Superman takes on Zod in a final battle to save Earth and Krypton. Plus, future storylines get teased!
SUPERMAN: KINGDOM OF ZOD SPECIAL #1
Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON, MARK WAID, DAN SLOTT, SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Art by PAOLO VILLANELLI, BRUNO FRENDA, DAVID MESSINA, SOPHIE CAMPBELL
Main Cover: DAN MORA
Variant Covers: KYUYONG EOM, KAREN S. DARBOE, NATHAN SZERDY
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 9/30/26
This review contains spoilers
At the end of Superman #42, Superman and Zod were preparing to square off in battle. That battle rages on in Superman: Kingdom of Zod Special #1. As the two Kryptonians fight, Lena Luthor finishes a device that will return any time-displaced person back to their own world. Booster Gold and Superboy (young Clark) team up to install the device on Booster’s time sphere. When the machine is activated, it successfully pulls Zod and his troops back to Krypton.
In the aftermath of the showdown, Superman takes time to talk with Tomorrow Man. Clark is concerned that Jon isn’t wearing the family crest, but Jon tells his dad about wanting to have his own identity. Lois steps in and smooths over the situation, allowing Clark to realize that things are okay.
Superboy (young Clark) is overwhelmed by the weight of knowing details of his future and doesn’t want to go back home. He lashes out at Booster, requiring Martian Manhunter to intervene. J’onn offers to help Superboy forget the recent events, allowing young Clark to return to his own time without the burden of knowledge.
Supergirl takes possession of the Sun Crystal and heads to Antarctica. With Thundergirl and Nightflame by her side, Supergirl uses the crystal to create her own Fortress of Solidarity. It will serve as a base of operations for her and the Super Force.
Superboy Prime finally has a chance to talk to Clark, welcoming Superman home. When an explosion rings out across the city, Prime asks Clark to let him handle it one last time so that the Man of Steel can take Lois flying.
As the issue comes to an end, Lena Luthor analyzes the remains of the time-bomb she created to defeat Zod. She needs Conner Kent to bring it to Mr. Terrific at the Justice League Watchtower, but Conner is intercepted by Lex Luthor, who wants to talk to him, father to son.
Analysis
While the “Kingdom of Zod” event is nowhere near as long or involved as the DC K.O. event, there’s still an ample amount of major occurrences taking place. This event does a good job of crossing over multiple titles and characters into one big story without feeling too bloated and hard to follow.
It serves as a transition from Superman’s return after his King Omega tournament disappearance back into individual storylines for the various titles included in the event.
Superman Unlimited looks to focus on stories with Superman and Tomorrow Man teaming up, which will be a great way to explore that father and son dynamic. Dan Slott has plenty to work with there in order to get Clark to better understand Jon’s motivations for wanting his own identity.
Speaking of father and son, Lex and Conner’s meet up will lead into an interesting storyline in upcoming Superman issues. Conner isn’t feeling like the most valued member of the Superfamily, so we might see him take a turn to the Luthor side of his lineage in order for him to feel seen. Joshua Williamson no doubt has some tricks up his sleeve for this storyline.
Supergirl’s upcoming storyline is intriguing, as well. Sophie Campbell uses her part of this issue to create not only a new fortress, but a mysterious character who is tasked with retrieving the Sun Crystal and destroying Kara.
Mark Waid sets up future Action Comics stories with a fresh slate for young Clark and hints at what’s coming next as the last panel in his section of the story shows us a close up of the Luthor mailbox in front of their house. If you’re looking for some Year One material, get ready, because Waid’s about to explore the early days of Lex.
Since Superman: Kingdom of Zod Special #1 features a mix of four different Super titles, the number of artists and colorists showcasing their talents is massive. Paolo Villanelli and Arif Prianto handle the work for the opening portion featuring the battle with Zod. It’s a gorgeous section full of fast-paced sequences that convey the powerful nature of the fight.
The epilogues include illustrations and colors from Sophie Campbell and Tamra Bonvillain (Supergirl), David Messina and Ivan Plascensia (Action Comics), Rachael Stott and Giuliano Peratelli (Superman Unlimited), and Bruno Frenda and Luis Guerrero (Superman). Each team brings a noticeably different style to the characters and all of them look sharp. The variety in visual appearances keeps your eyes from getting bored, adding another element to an already fun issue.
Final Thoughts
Superman: Kingdom of Zod Special #1 is a successful transition from one major DC event to the future of multiple DC titles. It serves as a perfect jumping on point for new readers in what promises to be many great upcoming stories. Have fun, comic lovers!
