Supergirl #16: Kingdom Of Zod Part 1 Review
Writer: Sophie Campbell & Joe Casey
Artists: Joe Quinones, Paolo Villanelli & Dan McDaid
Colorists: Joe Quinones, Arif Prianto & David Baron
Letterers: Josh Reed, Becca Carey & Troy Peteri
Cover Artist: Guillem March
Variant Cover Artists: Mark Spears, Noobovich, Stephanie
Hans & Joe Quinones
Editors: Jillian Grant, Kathleen Wisneski & Paul
Kaminski
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99/$4.99 Card Stock
Release Date: August 12, 2026
Despite her best efforts to shine in Midvale, Kara Zor-El
has struggled. But after the Science Council’s repressive rule sparked civil
war in Kandor, Kara realizes she cannot leave the House of El to fend for
itself in Superman's absence. As Lesla-Lar oversees the rebuilding of her
miniaturized Kryptonian city, Kara knows her friends on Earth have her back.
But will Kara's relatives follow where she leads? And is Kara's Super Force
ready for what awaits them in El Caldero? Let’s leap into Supergirl #16:
Kingdom Of Zod Part 1 and see!
Story
Kara recognizes the importance of leading her friends in a
worthy cause. But when she tries to include her Kryptonian relations, Conner
Kent objects to Superboy-Prime’s inclusion. Recently, Conner has seen Batman,
Wonder Woman, and Captain Marvel ram their Villain Amnesty program down the Justice
League’s throats. He objects to protecting the world alongside former criminals
and killers. But Conner refuses to have anything to do with the man who killed
him, even if that will strengthen the House of El. And especially if that
includes the murderer currently filling Superman's shoes.
Supergirl #16: Kingdom Of Zod Part 1 begins with a glimpse
of past events on New Kandor, as originally told by Joe Casey in Kneel Before
Zod. Like Kara Zor-El, Dru-Zod once tried to rebuild the majesty of his House.
Instead, his Kryptonian dreams slipped through his fingers again. Then Sophie
Campbell transports readers to the present as Kara travels to El Caldero. She
senses the battle ahead. Yet the closer she gets, her connection to the Sun
Crystal grows. Kara recognizes her responsibility to her team and her
Kryptonian heritage. Yet she also recognizes that if she is going to interfere
with events in another country, she has a responsibility to its inhabitants.
As Sophie Campbell interweaves the events that prompted the
mission to El Caldero, Kara also grapples with the demands of leadership. Not
everyone on her team is accompanying her. Among those who are, Kara wants to
exude confidence and caring, while being forceful when needed to keep everyone
in line. One team member tries once again to make amends for a
friendship-shattering error in judgment while helping her team survive the
dangers of the Kryptonite Kingdom.
As Kara Zor-El travels to El Caldero, she also brings with
her someone who needs her protection. Superman may currently be missing. But
when her cousin returns, Kara knows Kal-El won’t be happy if she allows anyone
to harm Lois Lane in Supergirl #16: Kingdom Of Zod Part 1.
Art
As Kara stares out the window at the clouds floating over
the Pacific Ocean, she imagines recent events through transparent green
crystals. A splash page of Kara in Earth’s orbit, with the sun’s rays glowing
around her, suggests the leader she wishes to be. As a star forms near the
smoke rising from Lois’ apartment, Tomorrow Man and Thundergirl shield people
on the streets from falling debris. Then Kara attempts to intervene as Conner
and Superboy-Prime tear through the atmosphere.
As Dan McDaid conjures a light-blue city rising beneath a
red sky, David Baron clothes a white leader in red and black. But yellow and
orange invade his world as his civilization collapses. While Joe Quinones and
Arif Prianto adorn Joe Quinones and Paolo Villanelli’s art with bright colors
in Supergirl #16: Kingdom Of Zod Part 1, they also leave room for darkness. As
Conner and Superboy-Prime fight, their red emblems glow, while their blue fades
to dark gray. The yellow stars surrounding them evoke Zod's fight in New
Kandor, and his inability to bring peace to his troubled world. Greens and blues
link Kara's willing and hopeful team. Yet while Lois Lane wears a violet
blouse, Zod's Krypto-Knights wear violet armor.
Troy Peteri relays the destruction of New Kandor via large
white letters in black boxes. Becca Carey fills white dialogue balloons with
black uppercase letters that grow bold for intonation, swell for raised voices,
and shrink for lowered voices. Kara's thoughts fill cloudy balloons as she
ponders what may lie ahead, while white letters in red boxes convey off-panel
thoughts. Lois frowns as an orange holographic projection conjures a white
balloon with a lightning-bolt arrow, while Kara's sensitive ears pick up
transmissions inside white balloons with yellow borders. Sound effects enhance
battles in Metropolis and El Caldero as Zod proves he is his own worst enemy. Thanks
to DC Comics for sharing this story with us.
Final Thoughts
Kara Zor-El has a responsibility to the House of El. But she
also has responsibilities to Midvale, Kandor, and the Earth. When she uses Lois
Lane's invitation to enter El Caldero, Kara risks an international incident,
warfare between the Houses of El and Zod, and being unable to protect the world
from Dru-Zod’s master plan in Supergirl #16: Kingdom Of Zod Part 1.
Rating 9.7/10
To look inside see my preview of Supergirl #16: Kingdom Of Zod Part 1.
