Superman Unlimited #16 Review

 

Superman Unlimited #16 Review

Writers: Dan Slott & Joe Casey

Artists: Rachael Stott & Dan McDaid

Colorists: Giuliano Peratelli & David Baron

Letterers: Dave Sharpe & Troy Peteri

Cover Artist: Guillem March

Variant Cover Artists: Aco & Taurin Clark

Foil Variant Cover Artist: Mark Spears

Editors: Jillian Grant & Paul Kaminski

Publisher: DC Comics

Price: $4.99 US/$5.99 US Card Stock

Release Date: August 19, 2026

 

No one can choose where they come from. But they can decide who they want to be. Ultraboy didn't realize he belonged on Earth-3. Still, when given a choice of the person he could become, he opted to emulate Jon Kent, rather than his biological parents.

 

Young Superboy may be gone now, but mentoring him has changed Jon Kent. He realizes new possibilities await him as Tomorrow Man. But first, Jon must tackle the weaponized Green-K that threatened Smallville. How will Tomorrow Man aid Supergirl, his mother, and the Super Force in El Caldero? And can Steel and his family protect their world from General Zod? Let's find a phone booth, leap into Superman Unlimited #16, and see!

 

Story

While Lois, Jonathan, and Martha found the proliferation of Superboys concerning, Dru-Zod finds it positively offensive. So, after hurling Superboy-Prime and Conner Kent from his Kryptonian Castle, Zod pursues them to trim their numbers. But as Zod attacks two members of the House of El, Superman and Superboy battle the Kryptonite infection. While Booster Gold regards Kryptonite as an essential part of young Clark Kent’s education, Mary Marvel objects to both his insensitivity and spilling potentially future-altering insights. Still, Eradicatrix is around to ensure Booster doesn’t reveal too many spoilers.

 

Supergirl’s Super Force traveled to El Caldero to claim the Kryptonian Sun Crystal and prevent her people’s technology from getting into the wrong hands. Booster Gold intended to reach the Justice League Watchtower. Once again, the currents in the timestream took him elsewhere. But for General Zod, all these unexpected arrivals are a Rao-sent opportunity. In Superman Unlimited #16, fate gives Dru-Zod what he wants most: the chance to destroy the House of El.

 

Events from Joe Casey's Kneel Before Zod series introduce the story. Then, Dan Slott frequently shifts perspective to keep tabs on all the heroes. Although Zod has created the perfect trap, he must also take measures to protect himself against a city designed to kill him.

 

In Dru-Zod's absence, heroes battle the forces of El Caldero or flee for shelter from the infection-laden air. Heroes meet each other for the first time or seek to reverse Green-K’s devastating effects. After losing his divine powers and nearly losing himself in the timestream, Superman seems more susceptible to El Calderan Green-K. Still, he must demonstrate why he is Earth's foremost protector and the preeminent member of the House of El in Superman Unlimited #16.

 

Art

As Dan McDaid shows Zod adrift in space, the surviving Kryptonian enters an irising portal. The circle of white evokes the destruction of his adoptive planet. Then, Rachael Stott's overhead shot shows another globe. As El Caldero's inhabitants gaze up at the figure defying a plummeting meteor, the spikes jutting from their heads suggest demons gathering before the god. Then streaks of light race toward them, shattering the symbol of a planetoid that reshaped their world and allowed them to dream of a better life.

 

Following New Kandor’s destruction, Zod enters the yellow-and-brown spaceship. David Baron applies faint shades of blue, red, yellow, and green to Zod's new beginning. Then, Giuliano Peratelli employs bright hues as green-clad Zod battles the Superboys in their blue, red, and yellow costumes. Ironically, Martian Manhunter's green skin and blue apparel emulate the green buildings rising beneath a blue sky in Superman Unlimited #16. Yet both J’onn and the Emerald City struggle for willpower and hope as Zod’s weaponized Kryptonite attacks everyone.

 

After Troy Peteri uses white uppercase letters to convey events from the Eradicator Archives, Dave Sharpe shows Eradicatrix’s dialogue using white uppercase letters in black balloons. While black uppercase letters in white balloons convey most of the dialogue in El Caldero, Red Tornado utters red words in the Justice League Watchtower. The letters grow bold for intonation and swell for raised voices. Both letters and balloons grow shaky as characters fight the effects of Kal-El's devastated homeworld. Sound effects enhance the battle for Earth, while yellow letters with red outlines celebrate places, words, and people of power. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.  

 

Final Thoughts

Until now, readers have viewed El Caldero through the lens of its Human leader. When Presidente Eduardo Castilho expelled Superman to profit from Kryptonian technology, the people were silent. But after their charismatic leader vanishes, an interloper usurps the throne, and Kryptonite poisoning runs rampant, the inhabitants of the Emerald City make their voices heard in Superman Unlimited #16.

 

Rating 9.6/10

 

To look inside see my preview of Superman Unlimited #16. 

 

For what happened last time, see my review of Superman Unlimited #15. 

For what happened before that, see my review of Superman Unlimited #14.

For what happened even before that, see my review of Superman Unlimited #13. 

For what happened even before that, see my preview of Superman Unlimited #12.

For how the era of Tomorrow Man began, see my preview of Superman Unlimited #11. 

 

For General Zod's rise to power, see Action Comics #1100: End Of Reign Review. 

For the mission to El Caldero, see Supergirl #16: Kingdom Of Zod Part 1 Review. 

For the battle in El Caldero, see Action Comics #1101: Kingdom of Zod Part 2 Review.