Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2 Review

 

Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2 Review

Writers: Mark Waid & Joe Casey

Artists: Montos & Dan McDaid

Colorists: Ivan Plascencia & David Baron

Letterers: Steve Wands & Troy Peteri

Cover Artist: Guillem March

Variant Cover Artists: Mark Spears, Ariel Olivetti & Mike Choi

Editors: Jillian Grant & Brittany Holzherr

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99 US/$5.99 US Card Stock/$7.99 US Foil

Release Date: August 12, 2026

 

Years ago, while trying to kill Superboy, Epoch unleashed a paradox that threatened to erase Martian Manhunter, Mary Marvel, and Booster Gold from time. Young Clark Kent survived the attack, helping his friends from the future return from oblivion. Then, despite Martian Manhunter and Mary Marvel's better judgment, Booster Gold showed Superboy glimpses of the future that could destroy it all over again. And when they achieved their fondest dream and rescued Clark, even Superman shrugged off concerns about unleashing another paradox on his world.

 

Now, Clark, his younger self, Booster Gold, Mary Marvel, and Martian Manhunter travel back toward the present. An old villain has returned to menace Superman's world again. How will General Zod seek to destroy everything Clark loves? And how might Clark's decision to bring his younger self to the present change his future? Let's grab our K-Shields, leap into Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2, and see what happens!

 

Story

In his desire to strengthen El Caldero and protect it against aggressors, Presidente Eduardo Castilho distributed pieces of the Kryptonite meteor around the world. Now, the same thing that happened at John Henry Irons’ Steelworks campus in Smallville is occurring around the world. And where the alien crystals grow, sickness, injury, and death follow.

 

Superboy, Booster Gold, Mary Marvel, and Martian Manhunter have rescued Superman from the timestream. As Mary plays backseat driver, young Clark marvels at the wonders Booster Gold steers them around. Not wanting to worry the others, Superman engages in psychic communication with Martian Manhunter. Both heroes wonder if more paradoxes await them in Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2.

 

After events from Joe Casey’s Kneel Before Zod series introduce the story, Mark Waid interweaves Booster Gold's timestream journey with the battle in El Caldero. Supergirl brought her Super Force to reclaim the Sun Crystal and any other Kryptonian artifacts that might endanger Earth. But Zod anticipated their arrival, and the airborne attack he unleashed hampers them in unexpected ways. Another aspect of Kara’s planning may yield more positive results. Yet as Zod drains Lois Lane of the superpowers she never wanted, the journalist keeps a cool head. Her line of inquiry could prove the key to Earth’s survival in Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2.

 

Art

Crystals defile monuments to history in exotic locales. Instead of impaling researchers at Steelworks in Smallville, they burst from patients in hospital beds. And in Metropolis, massive Kryptonite crystals sprout from the ground and buildings, hurling vehicles into the air and cultural artifacts to the ground as a photographer watches. As luminous currents swirl, arc, and stream past Booster Gold’s bubble-shaped craft, young Clark helps Superman stand. But when Mary Marvel alerts Booster to obstructions in the timestream, Montos shows young Clark’s awe of his surroundings.

 

As Dan McDaid provides a glimpse of the past, David Baron portrays Zod’s dead wife in white. Yellow flames from a brazier illuminate nearby indigo instruments and equipment. While yellow adorns Eraditrix’s present form, her violet gloves and cape turn indigo in shadow. Ivan Plascencia uses her violet to link her with the Krypto-Knights and Lois Lane. Yet while one character retains a recent costume change, John Henry Irons’ coloring evokes Ursa upon a crystalline pyre in Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2.

 

After Troy Peteri’s white uppercase letters in black boxes bring readers up to speed, Steve Wands' yellow boxes introduce current events, characters, and locales. Cloudy balloons and bubbles convey Superman and Martian Manhunter's cause for concern, while Eradicatrix addresses Supergirl via white letters in black boxes and balloons. Black uppercase letters in white dialogue balloons grow bold with intonation and swell for raised voices as heroes defy overwhelming pain. Sound effects enhance clashing weapons, bursts of heat vision, and a breath (or two) of fresh air as characters set their differences aside to focus on the battle at hand. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.

 

Final Thoughts

Dru-Zod may have his reasons for harming Kal-El's new home. But whether the former Kryptonian General understands why he is unleashing a Green-K attack on Earth, or if anger and grief are driving his actions, remains in doubt in Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2.

 

Rating 9.8/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2.

 

For Kara, Lois, and the Super Force's arrival in El Caldero, see Supergirl #16: Kingdom Of Zod Part 1 Review. 

 

 

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

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

For the Kryptonite eruption at Steelworks in Smallville, see Superman Unlimited #15 Review. 

 

For Kara's rough start at team-building, see Action Comics #1100: Game Night Review.

For what happened to Presidente Eduardo Castilho, see Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign Review. 

For Kara & Lesla's battle in Kandor, and the forging of her Super Force, see Supergirl #15 Review.