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.
