DCU Comic Book Reviews

LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON #1

Part One: Invaded

May 2010

Written by James Robinson and Sterling Gates

Pencils by Pete Woods

Inks by Pete Woods

Covers by Andy Kubert and Marco Marz

Synopsis

Brainiac has invaded New Krypton.  General Zod prepares a counterattack, the Global Defense Canons designed specifically to combat Brainiac.  However, it fails to damage Brainiac’s ship.  But it does kill a number of Kryptonians caught in the blast.  Angry at Zod’s decision, Commander Kal-el quits.  Instead, this is a job for Superman.  He rushes to attacks Brainiac’s robots, then finds a way onto the ship.  Elsewhere, Supergirl and Alura are fighting the Brainiac robots.  Alura believes the attack is not random; she was the target as a member of the council.  Alura rushes to Zod to plead with him to provide protection to the council members.  Meanwhile, Supergirl continues to fight, realizing Brainiac’s robots are using red sunlight, making it more difficult for the Kryptonian to fight them.  Just then, Superboy and the Legion of Super Heroes arrive to help.  Supergirl takes them to Zod.  The Legion tells Zod that before they destroy Brainiac’s ship, they need to rescue all of the cities Brainiac has stolen.  Zod then dismisses Supergirl, who leaves along with Mon-el.  Once they are gone, Zod orders Superboy and Legionnaires to be arrested.  Inside Brainiac’s ship, Superman manages to reach Brainiac, when he is hit by a blast of red sun by Lex Luthor. [continued in Supergirl #51]

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

I enjoyed this issue and I think I liked it because of Zod, the way he was portrayed and acted and the way the other characters interacted with him.  Zod is an arrogant son of a bitch and we see this on display here in full form, in the way he needlessly sacrificed the lives of the Kryptonians and the way he dismissed Alura and the council, and the way he called the Legionnaires maniacs and then ordered them arrested.  Zod thinks he has all of the answers and refuses to listen to anyone else, especially when it comes to battle.  It is great characterization.  To some it may come across as one-note or may come across as illogical for someone in charge of the military, but for me, it fit with who he is and the things he accomplished during World Of New Krypton.  This is just the culmination of that mini-series that brings out the maniacal, twisted leader that he is and I really enjoyed reading this issue because of it. 

I also liked the scene where Superman confronts Zod and finally unloads on all of the feelings that have been brewing since the beginning of the World Of New Krypton story.  For a whole year we have seen Kal-el in a subservient role, trying his best to show Zod a better way of doing things, but not succeeding.  Kal-el finally had enough, lashing out a Zod for his stupidity and then finally pulling out the red and blue tights.  It is a great moment and a great splash page of Superman finally, finally, joining the battle.  I also liked the smaller moments, such as when he saved the kid or figured out the way into Brainiac’s ship, small scenes that express so much of who he is.  In many ways, Zod and Superman provide point/counterpoint in their actions. 

Ultimately, this issue was basically wall-to-wall action, befitting the attack on New Krypton.  Woods art is very good, filled to the edge of the panel with numerous characters and a lot of action.  It is some great work from Woods.

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