DCU Comic Book Reviews

SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #2

Part Two

June 2009

Written by Greg Rucka and James Robinson

Pencils by Pete Woods

Inks by Pete Woods

Covers by Pete Woods and Ladrönn

Synopsis

On Oa, the Guardians are not pleased about the development of the new planet of Krypton.  They decide they need to send a lantern to investigate.  On New Krypton, General Zod gives Commander Kal-el his first assignment, to train recruit on the use of a new weapon.  Later, Kal-el joins his Aunt Alura at a gala hosted by the Artist Guild.  There, Kal is reujited with his cousin, Kara.  The reunion is short, however, when Zod orders Kal to deal with a herd of rampaging animals.  Kal’s group wants to simply kill them all, but Kal finds a practical method to herd them to safety.  Back at the gala, the Labor Guild have taken over, kidnapping Alura-el until their demands are met.  Meanwhile, Commander Gor has gathered up the rest of the Labor Guild not involved in the kidnapping and will start shooting unless the hostages are freed.  Kal-el is outraged, but General Zod is impressed and agrees to Gor’s plan.  

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Out of all of the Superman books being released at the moment, I think this may be the best of them all, and not because it is the only one to actually, you know, feature Superman.  I like the book because Rucka and Robinson are using the “Stranger in a Strange World” concept to its fullest, presenting not only a world with a different eco-system but also a different class system.  We see the world through Kal’s eyes and it is a fascinating glimpse.  Yet, Rucka and Robinson are also crafting a story that is strong on characterization.  At the heart of the story is Ka-el, a man who used to be Super in all senses of the world on Earth, but who is now an average Joe on New Krypton.  But rather than show Kal being just like everyone else, Rucka and Robinson are showing the different ways Kal really is super.  And that’s what I loved about this issue.  We see so much of Kal doing what he does, which is leading by example, doing what he feels is the right thing.  He did this on Earth, now he is doing it on New Krypton, albeit in a different way. It is a fantastic look into the character of Kal-el while we also get a peek into the world of New Krypton.  This is brilliant stuff and I can’t wait to read more. 

The best bits are the interactions between Kal and his squad.  Not only in the way we see the dynamic between the violent Kryptonians and Kal’s no kill code, but also in the way Kal attempts to integrate into the squad.  We see scenes where he talks to all of the soldiers, talking and joking with them.  And we also get scenes where Kal trains them, works them hard, like a commander.  That surprised me, for some reason.  I really did not expect Kal to act like a drill sergeant, but it works, establishing that Kal is trying to make the situation work.  But at the same time he hasn’t abandoned his morals, finding a workable solution to save the though beasts and to protect the Torquat (?) beast the soldiers were taunting earlier. 

The scene between Alura and Kal seemed out of place, at first.  Alura has been portrayed in the past as someone who is hard nosed with a stubborn streak to push forward with the goals that she wanted to accomplish.  To see her here, with he emotions bubbling to the surface didn’t quite match how she has been shown in the past.  Add to the fact that she is expressing her feelings to Kal, someone she has been at odds with basically from the beginning, at the moment really seemed out.  Thinking about it, however, I am wondering if Rucka and Robinson are trying to show Alura softening towards Kal, especially since he seems to have sublimated his anger towards her in order for him to fit in. 

The cover to this issue states this is a 15-issue mini-series (or maxi-series).  A quick look at the cover to the first issue provides no clue as to the exact number, although I seem to recall reading somewhere that it was supposed to be 12 issues.  If that is true, I am guessing that Rucka and Robinson plotted the series and realized they needed more space and DC decided to give it to them.  At this point, I really wouldn’t mind if DC made it an ongoing. 

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