Superman: Kingdom Of Zod Special #1: Kingdom Of Zod Part 9 Review
Writers: Joshua Williamson, Mark Waid, Dan Slott & Sophie Campbell
Artists: Paolo Villanelli, Sophie Campbell, David Messina, Rachael Stott & Bruno Frenda
Colorists: Arif Prianto, Tamra Bonvillain, Ivan Plascensia, Giuliano Peratelli & Luis Guerrero
Letterer: Josh Reed
Cover Artist: Dan Mora
Variant Cover Artists: Kyuyong Eom, Karen S. Darboe & Nathan Szerdy
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $4.99 US/Variant $5.99 US (Card Stock)
Release Date: September 30, 2026
Zod didn't ask for Ursa's older self to appear and validate Jor-El's prophecies of doom and gloom. But when he saw Supergirl and young Superboy bearing the symbol of the House of El, Zod realized that his enemy was right. When they arrived on Earth and Superman welcomed him as a friend, Zod wanted to pool their resources to save Krypton. But after losing his way in the time stream while trying to correct Darkseid’s damage to the future, Superman asserted that attempting such a monumental change to the past could do incalculable damage to the present.
Zod is used to destroying anyone who doesn’t fall into line. But can Superman and Zod forge a compromise? Or will Zod and Superman confirm Presidente Eduardo Castilho’s fear that the war isn’t over, and El Caldero has become a battleground for aliens? Let’s leap over tall buildings into Superman: Kingdom Of Zod Special #1 and see!
Story
Young Zod may not want to fight. But Ursa's revelations have robbed him of hope for the future. So, when Superman refuses to help him establish a Kryptonian Kingdom on Earth, Zod has nothing to live for unless he goes to war against Superman’s forces and wins. Yet while young Zod’s goals align with his deceased older self, Ursa’s back is also against the wall. The experiment on New Kandor proves that Zod’s goals are misguided. Krypton can never be replicated. Nor can it be improved upon. The only way to preserve everything she treasures is to destroy the timeline by saving her home world.
While Superman: Kingdom of Zod Special #1 covers the battle over Earth and Krypton, Joshua Williamson begins his story in the past. Clark Kent and Lois have relocated to Hamilton County to raise Jon while preserving their secret identities. Yet, while advising him to use his powers responsibly, Jon asks his father if he has done anything he later regretted.
As Superman and his forces seek to resolve the conflict in El Caldero, Joshua Williamson, Mark Waid, Dan Slott, and Sophie Campbell also show the fallout of their actions. Superman has many regrets. While his choices regarding Zod weigh on him, he also realizes that he abandoned his responsibilities as the leader of the House of El on Earth. Zod’s actions in El Caldero, and Superboy-Prime’s actions in Metropolis, may have profound implications for the Super-family. Superman is on the back foot and needs to catch up on everything he has missed. Yet as Superman recognizes that he must adapt to unexpected changes in his family, another leader renews familial ties in Superman: Kingdom of Zod Special #1.
Art
In a flashback from Jon’s childhood, Clark leans forward as he expresses his anger at his son’s irresponsible actions. Then he relaxes and smiles when Jon’s response reminds him of his youth. Clark sits on the bed beside his son, still leaning forward, as he tries to warn him of the potential dangers of his actions. Yet he turns away and stands with his back to Jon, staring into the sky, as he remembers a decision that weighs on his soul. Clark’s memory fills the background in Jon’s bedroom, bridging the earlier conflict with a double-page spread of their present. As the war between the Super-family and younger Zod's forces proves more intense than earlier battles, Steel and his niece battle Zod’s ground forces. While the battle rages around them, Princess Shark yearns to help Lena Luthor.
As Paolo Villanelli, Sophie Campbell, David Messina, Rachael Stott, and Bruno Frenda chart the chaos and aftermath in El Caldero, they also follow the Super-family when it disperses. Arif Prianto, Tamra Bonvillain, Ivan Plascensia, Giuliano Peratelli, and Luis Guerrero adorn Superman: Kingdom of Zod Special #1 with a series of lavish palettes. Violet and indigo link Zod’s forces with Kara’s future. While an outsider in the Super-family, Superboy-Prime’s gray armor bridges the gap with the Steelworks team. Zod's dark gray uniform suggests the dangers of trying to resurrect the past. But Ursa's black outfit symbolizes that rejecting the present bodes ill for the future.
While Josh Reed fills white dialogue balloons with black uppercase letters, Kara’s thoughts fill puffy clouds. The letters grow bold with intonation, shrink with lowered voices, and enlarge for raised voices. Yet dialogue in a white star suggests another decision that will haunt Superman forever. Sound effects accompany Booster Gold’s attempt to atone for his mistakes and Lena’s race to find a solution to the chaos. Yet Nightflame’s green dialogue balloons link with Zod’s schemes in El Caldero, and another character’s plans for the Super-family. Thanks to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.
Final Thoughts
Every responsible parent wants the best for their family. Likewise, responsible leaders want the best for those they serve. Yet, both must recognize when it's time to step aside and let others choose their paths. As Superman struggles to deal with the changes that occurred during his absence, Booster Gold must accept responsibility for his actions with young Clark. In the aftermath of El Caldero, new dangers arise to threaten the Super-family's future in Superman: Kingdom of Zod Special #1.
Rating 9.6/10
To look inside see Superman: Kingdom of Zod Special #1 Preview.
For more in the Kingdom Of Zod storyline:
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.
For how Superman takes the fight to Zod, see Superman Unlimited #16 Review.
For Zod's revival of Ursa see Superman #41: Kingdom Of Zod Part Four Review
For Ursa, Kara, and young Clark's arrival on Krypton, see Supergirl #17: Kingdom Of Zod Part 5 Preview
For what happens when Ursa, Kara, and young Clark meet Zod on Krypton, see Action Comics #1102: Kingdom Of Zod Part 6 Preview.
For how Superman saves the world, but perhaps made more enemies, see Superman Unlimited #17: Kingdom Of Zod Part 7 Review.
For why Zod hated Jor-El, see Superman #42: Kingdom Of Zod Part Eight Review
