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.
