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.
