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
