Comic Book Review: Superman: World of New Krypton #1

The Revolution enjoyed the New Krypton story arc that weaved its way through Action Comics and Superman. So, I am hopeful that DC will be able to deliver a quality read with Superman: World of New Krypton #1. This story has plenty of potential and should give the reader something original. It certainly should be interesting to see Superman living among his people. It definitely is not something that Superman ever thought would happen in his lifetime. Let’s go ahead and do this review for Superman: World of New Krypton #1.

Creative Team
Writers: James Robinson and Greg Rucka
Artist: Pete Woods

Story Rating: 6 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 7 Night Girls out of 10

Synopsis: We begin with Superman flying away from Earth. Superman listens in on the news reports from across the globe reporting about how Kryptonians have been banned from Earth. That Superman is the only exception. Then Superman hears news reports asking where Superman is. Superman then arrives at New Krypton. Superman enters through a portal into the domed city of Kandor.

Commander Gor and Lieutenant Nar are there to meet Superman. Gor is a jerk to Superman. On the other hand, Nar actually welcomes Superman to New Krypton. Gor barks that General Zod wants to meet with Superman now. Superman quips that Zod can wait. That Superman’s family comes first.

We see Superman arriving at Allura’s house. Allura is surprised to see Kal-El. Kal-El says that Allura told him that he would be welcome on New Krypton. Allura answers that she is glad that Kal-El has renounced Earth and is embracing his people. Allura tells Kal-El to leave their past differences on Earth behind them. Allura also tells Kal-El no more ranting about Zod being evil. Kal-El smiles and says that they can agree to disagree for now. Kal-El also agrees to put the past behind them.

Allura then says that they have to find a role for Kal-El on New Krypton. That he must choose a Guild. Allura says that Jor-El was of the Science Guild and that Kal-El’s mother was from the Labor Guild. Allura says that since Kal-El is a blank slate that he should choose the Guild that he will join. Allura tells Kal-El to take his time in deciding and to fly around Kandor and maybe that will help him make a decision on which Guild to join.

Allura then calls over her assistant, Tyr-Van. Allura says that Tyr is now Kal-El’s assistant and that Tyr will escort Kal-El to Zod and show Kal-El the city of Kandor along the way. Tyr says that it is an honor to assist Kal-El. Tyr keeps calling Kal-El “Sir” despite the fact that Kal-El keeps telling Tyr to call him “Kal.” Tyr responds that he is from the Labor Guild and that protocol dictates that he address all members of the other Guilds with respect.

The two take the sky and Tyr immediately begins to flail about and falls like a baby bird trying to fly. Kal-El then helps Tyr figure out how to fly. Kal-El realizes that most of the Kandorians are still trying to adjust to their new powers. As Kal and Tyr fly through Kandor we see Kryptonians accidently crashing into things and breaking stuff. Along the way to meet Zod, Tyr points out the Science Guild, the Artists Guild, the Military Guild and the Labor Guild. Kal-El says that apart from different dress codes and varying viewpoints that all Kryptonians are the same.

Kal-El points out that his mother was from the Labor Guild and that her maiden name was Lara Lor-Van, so that means that Tyr and Kal are probably distant relatives. Kal-El says that he is uncomfortable how the Labor Guild is treated in Kryptonian society. That the Labor Guild’s entire existence is built around serving the other Guilds. And on Old Krypton, the Labor Guild was not allowed to have a seat on the Council.

Tyr responds that it has always been this way. Kal replies that he understands and that on Earth America fought a war to end something similar. Tyr replies that he disagrees with Kal and that Tyr has a good life. Kal then points out to Tyr that two members of the Military Guild have been tailing them this entire time.

Kal-El rockets at super speed to the two Military Guild members and tells them that he knows they are following him. Kal-El says that Zod wants to see him and for them to go see Zod now. Kal-El arrives at Zod’s headquarters. We see the Military Guild soldiers practicing using their heat vision on targets. Gor steps in front of Kal-El and says that Kal is not a part of the Military Guild and, therefore, is not welcome here. Kal quips that Zod can tell Kal that himself. Gor then tells Kal that Zod is busy right now.

Kal-El pushes Gor to the side. Suddenly, Non flies and smashes Kal-El to the ground. Kal-El catches one of Non’s punches. Kal-El proceeds to lay a serious ass-whupping on Non. Kal-El stands up and says “That’s enough.” Kal-El states that the Kandorians are just learning how to use their powers while Kal-El has had his entire life to learn how to master them. Kal-El then uses his heat vision to blast all of the targets that the Military Guild members were practicing with. Kal-El says that it would serve the Military Guild members well to remember that Kal is better at using his powers than them.

Zod enters the scene and says that Kal-El makes an excellent point. Zod says that Kal-El should join the Military Guild and help train the Kandorians to properly use their powers. Zod says that the defense of their people is all he cares about. Zod reminds Kal-El that Jor-El and Zod both wanted the same thing for Krypton.

Kal-El brings up the fact that Zod tried to conquer Earth. Zod reiterates that his attempt to take over Earth was born from the fact that he thought Krypton was annihilated. And that Kal-El’s recovery of Kandor and the creation of New Krypton have changed Zod’s view. Kal-El begins scanning the facility with his x-ray vision. Kal-El says that he is looking for Christopher. Zod replies that his son is called “Lor-Zod” and that his son is not of Kal-El’s concern.

Zod says that he and Kal-El have been adversaries, but that does not mean that they have to be enemies. Zod asks Kal-El to consider Zod’s offer to join the Military Guild.

We cut to Kal-El arriving back at Allura’s home. Allura says that she hopes Kal has an answer for her. Kal replies that he thought Allura told him to take as much time as he needed. Kal continues that he has made a decision and that he is not choosing any Guild at all. Kal says that the entire caste system is wrong. That the Labor Guild members are nothing more than glorified slaves. Kal says that this is not how he was raised.

Allura rightly points out that Kal was raised on Earth and that this is Krypton. Allura says that Kal will abide by the laws of Krypton and that he will have a Guild. Allura continues that if Kal will not choose a Guild then one will be chosen for him.

We then cut to Kal-El in a Military Guild uniform and standing next to Zod outside of his headquarters. Zod comments that Kal needs to accept the fact that Zod always gets what he wants. Zod tells Kal to be grateful that Zod is at least giving Kal then rank that he has. Zod then says “Welcome to the military…Commander El.” End of issue.

Commentary

The Good: Superman: World of New Krypton #1 was a solid debut issue. Robinson and Rucka turn in a nicely plotted issue that naturally spins out of the events of Superman and Action Comics over the past several years. The story progresses in a logical and methodical method that never loses the reader. Robinson and Rucka do a great job making sure that Superman: World of New Krypton #1 is new reader friendly. Even though this title build on previous plotlines from Superman and Action Comics, it is not necessary to have read them in order to enjoy Superman: World of New Krypton #1.

New Krypton certainly makes for a cool setting for this title. Tyr and Kal’s tour through Kandor was a nice way to give the reader a good feel of Kandor. The tour was a convenient way to structure giving the reader a good explanation of Kryptonian society and the different Guilds that make up the Kryptonian caste system. This scene also succeeded in giving the reader some necessary back-story on Kryptonian culture without breaking the flow of the story or boring the reader.

Robinson and Rucka deliver some dependable dialogue. It is nothing out of the ordinary, but it gets the job done. Robinson and Rucka do a serviceable job with the character work in this issue. None of the character work particularly impressed me, buy the writers did a solid job making sure each character had their own definable personality even if it might have been in basic terms.

I was glad to see Robinson and Rucka continue the softening of Allura’s character. Allura became way too over the top and moustache twirlingly evil during the New Krypton story arc. It is good to see that while Allura is still decidedly pro-Krypton and is not even remotely concerned with Erath; that she is still portrayed as a loving relative who does care for Kal-El. Allura’s happiness that Kal-El decided to come live on New Krypton was genuine. This helps to make Allura more of a well rounded character.

Robinson and Rucka also do a solid job with Superman in this issue. Superman has always been a man of two worlds in Earth and Krypton. Robinson and Rucka continue that theme with Superman on New Krypton. In this issue, we see that Kal-El is a man of two Guilds in the Science and Labor Guild.

Robinson and Rucka retcon Lara’s history by making her a member of the Labor Guild. And by doing so, Robinson and Rucka re-enforce the “man of the people” aspect of Superman’s character. The Golden Age version of Lara did not really have any back-story that I can remember. The Silver Age version of Lara was an astronaut. The post-Infinite Crisis version of Lara was a librarian.

The scene at the Zod’s headquarters near the end of this issue was my favorite scene. Superman swiftly and decisively kicking Non’s ass and then showing off his mad heat vision skills was a perfect way to emphasize Superman’s considerable skills. This reminds the reader that Superman has been training to use his powers ever since he was a kid. On the other hand, the Kandorians are still just learning to control their powers. The average Kandorian is like a toddler learning how to properly walk.

I am glad that Robinson and Rucka picked up on the experience difference between Superman and the rest of the Kryptonians. This allows Superman to be better and more proficient than the rest of the Kandorians. It is important that even on New Krypton and surrounded by other “supermen” that Kal-El stands apart from the rest of them.

Robinson and Rucka also do a nice job having Superman come across as a larger than life super hero even among a city full of super powered Kryptonians. Superman stands apart from the rest as a greater and more noble character. Robinson and Rucka do a good job showing that it is not Superman’s Kryptonian power that makes him such an honored hero, but his strong morals and good heart.

Robinson and Rucka did a nice job with Zod’s character. Zod was not as one-dimensional as Johns has written him in the past. I liked that Robinson and Rucka had Zod attempt to show how he has become a different man with the return of Kandor. Zod even tried to offer an olive branch to Superman stating that just because they were once adversaries does not mean that they have to be enemies. I know that Zod is going to end up being the big bad villain in their story, but that does not mean that he cannot be three dimensional and a bit sympathetic.

Robinson and Rucka end Superman: World of New Krypton #1 with a great hook ending as we see Kal-El in his military uniform and now a part of the Military Guild. Once Allura said that Kal-El was going to have the choice of which Guild to join made for him we all knew that he would end up in the Military Guild. Still, this is an interesting direction and should provide for plenty of interesting plotlines. Clearly, Kal-El will hardly be thrilled with having to answer to Zod. And the rivalry with Commander Gon is sure to heat up now that Kal-El is of the same rank.

Pete Woods serves up plenty of nice artwork. This is a pleasant issue to look at and Woods does a good job bringing this story to life.

The Bad: Superman: World of New Krypton #1 was a bit of a hurried and choppy read. This issue did not have a good flow to it. As I said before, while the dialogue was serviceable, it was certainly not the quality of writing that I expect from Robinson.  Superman: World of New Krypton #1 also gave the reader a rather thin story.  There was not much substance to this issue at all.

Superman: World of New Krypton #1 was also a bit dull. There was not much in the way of interesting drama or gripping mystery in this issue. And there was little to no action. All we got was Superman flexing his abilities for three pages. Again, I do not mind an issue that has little action, but it makes it that much more important that the dialogue and plotlines pick up the slack in order to deliver an issue with some drama or mystery in order to retain the reader’s interest

However, the aspect of this issue that I found the most disappointing was the emphasis on the caste system of New Krypton. The Kryptonian caste system was the big reveal in this issue as we see that DC is retconning Kryptonian culture once again. We learn that Krypton had been built on a caste system. And in that caste system, the Labor Guild are the people on the bottom who, in the words of Superman, are treated as “glorified slaves.”

This new take on Kryptonian culture seems to be a break from the previous versions of Kryptonian culture. My Golden and Silver Age knowledge of Superman is not that strong. I do not remember there being a caste system in Kryptonian culture in the Golden and Silver Age versions of Krypton. If this caste system existed in the Golden and Silver Age then let me know. I remember that the Golden Age Krypton was a technological utopia ruled by the scientific elite. The Silver Age Krypton was ruled by the Science Council. And the post-Infinite Crisis Krypton was a pastoral utopia that, after the Clone Wars, turned into a sterile and emotionless society.

This emphasis on the Kryptonian class system does absolutely nothing for me. It appears that destroying the Kryptonian caste system will be Superman’s number two priority just after exposing Zod as a threat and neutralizing him and just before making Earth and New Krypton exist in peace. The problem with the emphasis on the Kryptonian caste system is that it is a one-dimensional plotline. It is such a patently un-American class structure that all the readers will immediately view the Kryptonians that support the caste system as one-dimensional evil villains. And that leads to a boring story.

There must be shades of grey and a villain that can evoke sympathy from the reader in order to create a truly gripping read where the reader is unsure of which side to support. The caste system plotline will not provide for any tension, drama or turmoil in the reader. The modern American reader will simply say the Kryptonians are wrong and evil and that is that. It is a shame that the Kryptonians are being set up for such one-dimensional villains.

The plotline involving the caste system is also beyond simply being just boring. It is also condescending. I feel like I am in kindergarten with the writers trying to make the moral point that all people should be equal. Um, okay, thanks, I learned that when I was 4 years old. This is like creating a plotline around the moral teaching that murder is wrong. Writers should pick a topic that at least has two legitimate competing views in order to craft a story that is more in line for adults rather than kindergartners.

This plotline also seems too self-congratulatory. The American way of life is superior to the way of life in countries like India, Pakistan and various countries in Africa that all employ some variations of caste systems. I just do not need a comic book story to affirm that the country I live in is doing things the right way and that other countries are not. It simply is not interesting.

Overall: Superman: World of New Krypton #1 was a solid and serviceable read. This issue has the potential to be exciting. Unfortunately, it also has the potential to be a shallow and unimaginative story. Readers who enjoyed the New Krypton story arc that weaved through Action Comics and Superman will probably enjoy Superman: World of New Krypton #1. And readers who like traditional super hero tales will probably also enjoy this issue. However, readers who demand for a more complex and unique story may find Superman: World of New Krypton #1 shallow and uninteresting.