Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign Review

 

Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign Review

Writer: Dan Slott

Artist: Lucas Meyer

Colorist: Giuliano Peratelli

Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Cover Artist: Ryan Sook

Variant Cover Artists: Mark Spears; David Talaski; Jim Cheung & Jay David Ramos; Rahzzah; Daniel Sampere & Tomeu Morey

Editors: Jillian Grant & Brittany Holzherr

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $5.99 US/$6.99 US Card Stock/$7.99 US Foil

Release Date: July 22, 2026

 

As a meteor headed toward Earth, Superman fought to alter its trajectory. Then he discovered that, beneath the surface, the tiny planetoid was composed entirely of Kryptonite. Although he couldn’t stop it from striking the Earth, Superman prevented a mass extinction event.

 

When Eduardo Castilho pulled Superman from the impact crater, he realized that his hero had unwittingly helped his country thrive. How has Kryptonite transformed El Caldero? And what are the ramifications of relying on this heaven-sent element? Let’s leap into Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign and see what happens!

 

Story

He hailed Superman as his nation’s hero. But when they unearthed the Sun Crystal, Eduardo sent Superman packing and forbade his return. The Sun Crystal has gifted his country a castle filled with alien technology. But as Presidente Eduardo Castilho inspects his new source for El Caldero’s exports, ghosts of a dead planet tell him that he is the one who doesn’t belong.

 

Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign demonstrates Castilho’s love for his country. As he rose to power, he helped transform El Caldero into an economic powerhouse. Castilho may be an opportunist who wants everything his way. Still, his Kryptonite supply has benefitted the entire world.

 

Just as Lois Lane cannot operate the Daily Planet's global news agency without an army of supporters, Presidente Eduardo Castilho could not have harnessed the vast power of Kryptonite without help. Dan Slott’s story reveals who has helped him build his kingdom. Yet, it also highlights a new aspect of El Calderan Green-K.

 

Despite Castilho's optimism, Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign is a tragedy. Dan Slott’s story evokes Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne discussing alternative careers on the eve of DC K.O. Yet, it also recalls a historical mystery that has stirred writers' imaginations throughout the ages.

 

Art

Giant green crystals form an enormous lattice structure. A statue outside the building portrays Superman slowing the meteor's descent. Inside Castilho's castle, holograms of Kryptonian leaders dwarf El Presidente. When a Krypto-Knight lifts a crystal from a control panel, the speakers bend and vanish like ghosts. Yet after Castilho’s friend summons a holographic monitor, Lucas Meyer retracts the camera, portraying an act of violence via silhouettes.

 

Giuliano Peratelli adorns Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign with a vibrant palette. Amid the luminous green surroundings, Castilho shines in red and gold. A Green-and-Black Krypto-Knight nods to a cluster of soldiers arrayed in violet armor before responding to Castilho's call. A yellow sun behind Castilho's profile shines as he recalls the events that shaped his country. The sun projects light rays edged with orange, dividing his memories into wedges.

 

Black uppercase letters fill white dialogue balloons, while the alien technology summons green symbols, and the unwanted ghosts speak with green letters. As Castilho’s eloquent off-camera dialogue appears in green narrative boxes, letters grow bold for intonation and swell when voices rise. Sound effects accompany technical difficulties, and a change in direction for El Caldero. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

So far, Presidente Eduardo Castilho has had everything his way. But times are changing. After the events at the Steelworks facility in Smallville, the honeymoon between El Caldero and the mountain of Kryptonite that transformed it seems destined for a troubled marriage. As Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign builds on events in Superman Unlimited, it also paves the way for the upcoming Kingdom Of Zod crossover event.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

For Kara Zor-El's preparations to retake the Sun Crystal, see Action Comics #1100: Game Night Review. 

 

For Booster Gold's search for his friend, see my review of Action Comics #1100: Superman Meets Superboy. 

 

For Superboy's battle to regain his superpowers, see my review of Action Comics #1100: Mission Failure. 

 

For Kara and Lesla's battle to free Kandor, see my review of Supergirl #15. 

 

For events at the Steelworks facility in Smallville, see my review of Superman Unlimited #15.