Well, I wasn’t planning on doing both Kingdom of Zod issues this week, but there’s one page in Action Comics #1102 that had me grinning madly, and I think it should be shared and gushed over. The set-up is that original Superboy Clark Kent and Supergirl Kara Zor-El managed to get into Booster Gold’s time bubble as Ursa stole it. She’s headed to Krypton’s past in the hope of stopping the destruction of the planet – not an evil idea, but a very stupid one. Mrs Zod runs towards the capital, Kryptonopolis, to warn the populace, and Supergirl runs after her, telling Superboy to stay back for fear of knackering the timeline.
But how could an orphaned teenage boy resist a peek at the place he comes from, a place he has no memory of?
Oh, and indeed, wow. I’ve not seen such a wonderfully odd conception of Krypton since the end of the Bronze Age – for the last few decades it’s looked just like Earth with sci-fi clothes and a bit of ice. This looks a place worth exploring, a pulp magazine dream.
Huge kudos to our guest artist, the mononymic Montos, for showing us a day in the life of Krypton, and Ivan Plascencia for the colours that contribute to such a memorable image.
The rest of the issue isn’t half bad either. Clark makes his way through the streets of Krypton, his powers fading, unable to speak the language.
Supergirl and Ursa, meanwhile, find themselves in a cell, being questioned by the authorities after a fracas in this week’s Supergirl #17.
Not a smart move, Ursa. Meanwhile, Superboy is listening in with the remains of his super-hearing. Is an opportunity to free his newly discovered cousin about to arise?
Back in the 21st century, in the tunnels of El Caldero, Superman and Lois find one another after too long apart, and the Daily Planet editor gets a shock.
Can Kryptonite Woman Lana Lang help? In other tunnels, Mary Marvel and J’onn J’onzz are feeling the pain of the Green Kryptonite plague unleashed by Zod.
Writer Mark Waid does a superb job of upping the drama on the various fields of conflict. Superboy’s discombobulation on Krypton is – call me cruel – fun, while watching Supergirl express her righteous anger towards Ursa is massively satisfying. There’s not much Superman in here, but he’ll get the focus in his self-titled book. Meanwhile, we get more developments with Kara, Ursa, Clark and Zod who, I suspect, will be coming back to our present day in a time bubble.
The work by Montos is excellent throughout the issue, with well-rendered heroes and villains pulsating with emotion, moving through nicely conceived settings. Ursa is particular fun, almost comically desperate at times. Plascencia’s attention to detail is a big plus, we always know where we are, with greens lighting the El Caldero scenes and Krypton glowing red.
Kryptonese in word balloons, grey font to represent whispering, typeface for future journalist Superboy’s thoughts… the letterer does a great job, but I can thank them only in the abstract as the credits spread has gone awol again. Still, I know editor Paul Kaminski has had a word with the digital people, so it’ll be sorted soon. Oh, and extra points to Paul K for starting a mini-lettercol in this week’s Super Family comics.
Outside the story pages, illustrator Lucas Meyer and colourist Giuliano Peratelli’s cover is a grabber.
The Kingdom of Zod crossover is getting better by the issue. I’ve no idea where it’s going, and I’m enjoying the ride hugely.
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 