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Superman: New Krypton Saga #4
Superman: New Krypton, Vol. 4
Following the events of the "New Krypton" crossover, The Man of Steel has moved to a new planet filled with Kryptonians he's long thought to be dead. Leaving Earth behind for a life as a man in the Kryptonian military, Superman has had to make many sacrifices in order to appease his people while averting a conflict with the other species who make up the DC Universe's cosmic landscape. But while all the diplomacy takes place, an attempt on the life of a high-ranking Kryptonian sends Superman to Earth on a mission that may ignite the very conflict he's been avoiding.
Co-written by Greg Rucka (GOTHAM CENTRAL, DETECTIVE COMICS) and James Robinson (STARMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE) with crisp art by Pete Woods (WONDER WOMAN: AMAZONS ATTACK, SUPERMAN: BACK IN ACTION)!
Collecting SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #6-12.
Co-written by Greg Rucka (GOTHAM CENTRAL, DETECTIVE COMICS) and James Robinson (STARMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE: CRY FOR JUSTICE) with crisp art by Pete Woods (WONDER WOMAN: AMAZONS ATTACK, SUPERMAN: BACK IN ACTION)!
Collecting SUPERMAN: WORLD OF NEW KRYPTON #6-12.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published June 8, 2010
6 people are currently reading
139 people want to read
About the author
James Robinson
1,265 books236 followersJames Dale Robinson is a British writer of American comic books and screenplays.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
August 30, 2017
I can't help but want so much more for this. I think the ideas here are great. I think the world building works at times. I even think just the idea of Clark going around a new Krypton trying to help his people rebuild is very interesting.
This volume basically comes right from the events of the last one in which Zod was shot. Of course he's still alive even when shot through the chest cause these fuckers never die. So then the very next arc after that is watching a mystery of another guy dying and superman and friends searching for the killer.
The Good: The ideas, again, are smart and great. I also loved the moments when Clark handles his own shit and takes down people.
The Bad: The plot is SLOW and not in a interesting way. The art can be really ugly at times too. The world building, while well done, has all been done before. Also, it's been done better.
This is the last volume of this storyline but we still have WAR for New Krypton! Let's hope that's more exciting than this...or not...who knows.
This volume basically comes right from the events of the last one in which Zod was shot. Of course he's still alive even when shot through the chest cause these fuckers never die. So then the very next arc after that is watching a mystery of another guy dying and superman and friends searching for the killer.
The Good: The ideas, again, are smart and great. I also loved the moments when Clark handles his own shit and takes down people.
The Bad: The plot is SLOW and not in a interesting way. The art can be really ugly at times too. The world building, while well done, has all been done before. Also, it's been done better.
This is the last volume of this storyline but we still have WAR for New Krypton! Let's hope that's more exciting than this...or not...who knows.
October 25, 2021
This was so good!
It starts off with Zod injured and well Clark now the general of the military guild but the twist is when we find out about the status of other people here. So many assassinations including those of Mar-Li and then Alura was targeted and thus it becomes a murder mystery as Clark has to find out who was behind them or is it someone from high up doing it in order to create a situation of conflict and its epic and amazing the mystery of it all and how Zod and Adam strange get involved and cameos by Saturnians, Thangarians and Rannians and political tension and everything until the last page!
Its epic and its really well written and creates a situation of great conflict and great character moments and is really a great Superman story and changes the status quo in such an amazing manner also. Plus the art is so good and gets better as the pages go by particularly the double page spreads and all.
It starts off with Zod injured and well Clark now the general of the military guild but the twist is when we find out about the status of other people here. So many assassinations including those of Mar-Li and then Alura was targeted and thus it becomes a murder mystery as Clark has to find out who was behind them or is it someone from high up doing it in order to create a situation of conflict and its epic and amazing the mystery of it all and how Zod and Adam strange get involved and cameos by Saturnians, Thangarians and Rannians and political tension and everything until the last page!
Its epic and its really well written and creates a situation of great conflict and great character moments and is really a great Superman story and changes the status quo in such an amazing manner also. Plus the art is so good and gets better as the pages go by particularly the double page spreads and all.
August 6, 2018
Meh and meh.
World: The art is rather bland, the details not really there but this was just the art of the times. The world building I'm getting more into with Supes settled into his role. Not to say I like this Supes, it reads like Elseworld but oh well.
Story: The story is paced well but overall it's a rather bland story that doesn't really lead anywhere. I know this is a really short review but yeah nothing special and memorable happens here and with trade is collected poorly and a lot of pieces don't happen on the pages but in other books. It's fractured and basic and nothing is complex or interesting at all. I will say the stuff with Zod is growing on me but that's about it.
Characters: Superman does not act like Superman so this is an Elseworlds book for me. Zod does get a nice turn and with the issues he's kinda well written. Alura is so different from the story, very inconsistent. Everyone else is rather ho hum meh.
A rather meh series for a potentially interesting and cool concept but not really executed well.
Onward to the next book!
World: The art is rather bland, the details not really there but this was just the art of the times. The world building I'm getting more into with Supes settled into his role. Not to say I like this Supes, it reads like Elseworld but oh well.
Story: The story is paced well but overall it's a rather bland story that doesn't really lead anywhere. I know this is a really short review but yeah nothing special and memorable happens here and with trade is collected poorly and a lot of pieces don't happen on the pages but in other books. It's fractured and basic and nothing is complex or interesting at all. I will say the stuff with Zod is growing on me but that's about it.
Characters: Superman does not act like Superman so this is an Elseworlds book for me. Zod does get a nice turn and with the issues he's kinda well written. Alura is so different from the story, very inconsistent. Everyone else is rather ho hum meh.
A rather meh series for a potentially interesting and cool concept but not really executed well.
Onward to the next book!
September 16, 2024
It was all right. The whodunnit stuff with Adam Strange was the highlight for me, random attacks from hawkpeople and random denizens of Saturn much less so.
July 18, 2011
Drivel. Absolute, inane drivel. Seriously, how could you go so wrong. The idea was pretty solid for this story and it brought up an interesting question that Clark has never dealt with before: What do you do when Superman isn't the only one who's super any more? What happens to the identity and image of the Man of Steel when there are a 100,000 who can do just what he does? How does he deal with that? How does Earth deal with it? All of these questions are side-stepped and left dangling. Instead, we get panel after panel of weak political subterfuge and melodramatic crises that the residents of New Krypton have to deal with like a roller coaster. Every other page, war is just about to break out between Krypton and _______ (Earth, Saturn, Hawk people, beetles, space dust...) only to be averted by "Kal." And that bugs me too. I hate it when he goes by Kal. Really do. It's almost an insult seeing as how Jonathan Kent died at the outskirt of this episode. At a time when Clark should most closely be identifying with his adopted home world and it's people, Robinson and Johns have him abandoning Earth to accept a position in the Kryptonian military. I can't think of something Superman would be less likely to do. It's like they get the character all wrong. His reaction to the caste-system, the militaristic nationalism, the arrogance and hubris is one of benign neglect, like a parent who dismisses their child's destructive behavior by saying, "Well, what do you want me to do, he's my son and it's just a phase." There is no way that CLARK would be part of such a system. Robinson sweeps this under the rug with a couple of lines about how he just has to put up with it, even if he doesn't like it because the only way to change a system is from within. Nonsense.
The sense of pacing is awful as well. Right in the middle of a resolution-like conversation where Clark and Zod are attempting to understand each other - gasp, bright flash of light, Braniac is back! This series jumps from one crisis to the next with no time to digest the meanings or implications on a personal level to any of the characters. It introduces no new likable characters. It has long stretches of subplot that are meaningless to the whole and are just plain dull and has fallen into the general DC habit of killing off relatively minor characters that no one remembers from 1968 and acting like that's the most dramatic thing in the world. For all intents and purposes, those characters were dead anyway. Think this series officially seals my opinion of continuity Superman stories. All of them, with the exception of the Death of Superman, are terrible. The non-continuity stuff: Secret Identity, For Tomorrow, All-Star Superman, Superman for all Seasons tend to do the best jobs exploring the emotional depth and inner struggles Clark faces. The rest is eye candy and macho tom-foolery. It's a disgrace to the legend of Superman and unworthy of his character.
The sense of pacing is awful as well. Right in the middle of a resolution-like conversation where Clark and Zod are attempting to understand each other - gasp, bright flash of light, Braniac is back! This series jumps from one crisis to the next with no time to digest the meanings or implications on a personal level to any of the characters. It introduces no new likable characters. It has long stretches of subplot that are meaningless to the whole and are just plain dull and has fallen into the general DC habit of killing off relatively minor characters that no one remembers from 1968 and acting like that's the most dramatic thing in the world. For all intents and purposes, those characters were dead anyway. Think this series officially seals my opinion of continuity Superman stories. All of them, with the exception of the Death of Superman, are terrible. The non-continuity stuff: Secret Identity, For Tomorrow, All-Star Superman, Superman for all Seasons tend to do the best jobs exploring the emotional depth and inner struggles Clark faces. The rest is eye candy and macho tom-foolery. It's a disgrace to the legend of Superman and unworthy of his character.
May 26, 2025
The start of this volume still feels a bit out of sorts, with Superman in such an odd role. However, it really picks up as the volume goes on thanks to mystery and interaction with the larger DC universe. It thus ends up being a fine volume that really shows the strength of the New Krypton storyline before it was all rebooted by the horrendous nu52.
March 1, 2013
It was the last great pre-TheNew52 Superman storyline. It was supposed to entertain and enlighten and energize the Superman books for years to come. It was one of the most massive, interconnected tales of Kal-El ever told.
And I thoroughly enjoyed it.
And I think I was one of the few who did.
And that is a complete shame.
Superman New Krypton is a storyline that takes place over almost two years worth of Superman, Action Comics, Supergirl, Superboy, World of New Krypton, Adventure Comics and various one shots and mini-series. One of the slight modifications after Infinite Crisis to the mythos was opening the floodgates to plenty of other Kryptonians being alive and well, and this concept became a tidal wave when Superman faced off against Brainiac for the “first” time and freed the kidnapped bottled city of Kandor.
In all classic and neo-modern versions of this tale, these fellow Kryptonians become jolly good friends of Superman and benevolent helpers to him. Those stores would always bore me to tears. Even when they enlarged and got their own planet, I couldn’t have cared less.
This time, this contemporary version, they range from arrogant to somewhat ungrateful to outright hostile to all sorts inbetween. It is made abundantly clear that one of the points of New Krypton is that a great part of makes Superman “Super” is the parentage of Ma and the now late Pa Kent. Early on the now powered up Kandorians relish “their” new planet, and view the current inhabitants, namely us humans, as like pets. The part with the whale illustrates this dichotomy so precisely, it is downright prescient of what future troubles are brewing.
Tensions immediately escalate when Lois’s presumed dead father, General Lane, enacts Project 7734, with the goal of fulfilling his genocidal hatred of all things Superman. Plots within plots within plots, each met with large body counts, becomes the constant theme here. Anyone and anything that gets in the way of eliminating these filthy aliens must be abolished. The massacres the Kandorians have to endure, and their counter measures to ensure their safety, cause global tensions and bring about a huge cadre of superheroes to sort the situation out.
At this point the preamble is done, the Kandorians see the welcome mat yanked away, which makes them launch their city off into space, create a crystalline planet for themselves, and take up orbit on the far side of the sun. Goodbye you crazy humans!
At this point, Kal is still trying to fix all the myriad problems that have come about here, and so with a heavy heart he talks to wife Lois and mother Martha and goes off to outer space and New Krypton.
The stage is set and the players are now in place.
Kal-El is now world building, society changing and evil plot solving in the World of New Krypton comic by James Robinson, Greg Rucka and Pete Woods. Guest stars like Green Lantern, Adam Strange and Jemm pop up here because of the new galactic power this planet represents. We also see the creators reinvent Krypton by incorporating as many different previous versions as possible, and somehow keeping internal logic. Kal learning about how things work here does not make him a happy Superman, and brings out the social revolutionary in him.
Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, new protectors have emerged in the Superman comic, by James Robinson and Renato Geudes. Through a series of flukes, Mon-El has been plucked from the Phantom Zone and managed to be cured, while another clone of the golden age hero The Guardian has come to town. These two bring truth and justice and subplots galore here every month.
But what of all the subterfuge between the two planets? Action Comics by Greg Rucka and various artists plays with this concept by showcasing the hunt for Kryptonian infiltrators by Nightwing and Flamebird. This crime fighting duo, and potential couple, are also Kryptonians and fighting against the evil General Zod’s plans for Earth.
The tale of someone genuinely torn between the two worlds is in the Supergirl comic, by Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle. Whether she is on New Krypton endlessly arguing with her mother – and leader of Kandor, or learning about humanity while living with Lana Lang back on Earth, Supergirl is constantly challenged. She is also subjected to relentless yellow journalism by Daily Planet gossip hound Cat Grant, trying on the secret identity of Linda Lang, and recovering from Kryptonite poisoning, which by the way, is a brilliant pot device to fix the many many problems plaguing the character over the years. Supergirl 43 is the absolute best of this series, featuring her birthday and choosing a guild.
Joining in on the fun is Adventure Comics, by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul. Starting with Superboy slowly becoming a part of everything, the series than evolves into telling the tale of how the time travelling Legion of Super Heroes are involved with this crisis.
Along the way with this sweeping storyline, we get some one shots giving us the journey of Jimmy Olsen as he investigates General Lane, and another one shot at a critical junction of everything. A personal favourite is the World’s Finest miniseries, by Sterling Gates and various artists, which has several very important plot developments. But the real reason this is a classic part of New Krypton is that these four issues have a literal whackload of Superman and Batman supporting characters teaming up, arguing, bantering, and just giving us readers a grand old adventure. Come on, Guardian and Robin Damian taking on Mr Freeze and the Parasite, what more can you ask for?
The only downside to this undertaking is the midway point. You can tell the gears behind the scenes were being shifted slightly, with some ideas, like Mon-El’s powers or what to do with Guardian’s “kid”, becoming increasing sidelined. By the time of the epic ending with The Last Stand of New Krypton comic, you can feel the lethargy kicking in. This is not to say the conclusion, which reaches its final crescendo with the War Of The Supermen mini-series, was not good and gripping and emotional, but it is obvious the fatigue from creating all those stories had taken it’s toll.
Afterall, besides everything I have mentioned, New Krypton also stars Lois Lane on a quest for the truth about her father, Perry White trying to guide her, Lex Luther being the master manipulator, Atlas being a brute, Steel helping out in Metropolis, the Creature Commandos making a comeback, Reactron being a ruthless murderer, Doomsday terrorizing everyone, Captain Atom playing a role, Daxam history getting re-explained, Codename: Assassin getting a dust-off, Silver Banshee giving a shout out, Insect Queen crawling about, Rao gaining new followers, and a partridge in a pear tree. With all this, and so much more, is it any wonder that everyone involved probably needed a nice long vacation when it was all said and done?
One issue that was present from the start, as related in interviews by writer Greg Rucka, is that New Krypton was very much behind schedule right from inception. Playing catch-up was always a present concern for all creators, who all want to do their best, but are facing a super deadline looming before them.
Because of this rushed nature of the series, and despite the promotional push from DC Comics, fans seemed slightly jaded before New Krypton even began. I myself got every issue, but only read them all last month. Because of this malaise, I firmly believe sales of the entire storyline were far below expectations, which is most likely why virtually all aspects of it were promptly ignored as soon as it ended. And this failure was also the most probable reason why the major surgery was committed on Superman’s history with The New 52 Relaunch. Think about it, this massive sweeping tale of epic proportions with far reaching ramifications vanishes from continuity a year later? Such a shame.
Everyone has a favourite Superman. Mine is the From Crisis To Crisis era. This storyline, with a nip and tuck and a bit of mental rewiring, can still fit somewhat gently into that beloved version of the Man of Steel. Yes, some leaps are harder to take than others, and I am looking at you Lucy Lane, but so many of the basic concepts are still present and accounted for.
So many thoughts and ideas are expressed here. The Clark Kent of Ma and Pa Kent faces off against the Kal-El of Krypton, nature versus nurture on a planetary scale. Earth and New Krypton on a collision course caused by madmen, people who know nothing of what Superman stands for. All this encompassing something like 150 comics in total.
A Super tale for a Superman.
And I thoroughly enjoyed it.
And I think I was one of the few who did.
And that is a complete shame.
Superman New Krypton is a storyline that takes place over almost two years worth of Superman, Action Comics, Supergirl, Superboy, World of New Krypton, Adventure Comics and various one shots and mini-series. One of the slight modifications after Infinite Crisis to the mythos was opening the floodgates to plenty of other Kryptonians being alive and well, and this concept became a tidal wave when Superman faced off against Brainiac for the “first” time and freed the kidnapped bottled city of Kandor.
In all classic and neo-modern versions of this tale, these fellow Kryptonians become jolly good friends of Superman and benevolent helpers to him. Those stores would always bore me to tears. Even when they enlarged and got their own planet, I couldn’t have cared less.
This time, this contemporary version, they range from arrogant to somewhat ungrateful to outright hostile to all sorts inbetween. It is made abundantly clear that one of the points of New Krypton is that a great part of makes Superman “Super” is the parentage of Ma and the now late Pa Kent. Early on the now powered up Kandorians relish “their” new planet, and view the current inhabitants, namely us humans, as like pets. The part with the whale illustrates this dichotomy so precisely, it is downright prescient of what future troubles are brewing.
Tensions immediately escalate when Lois’s presumed dead father, General Lane, enacts Project 7734, with the goal of fulfilling his genocidal hatred of all things Superman. Plots within plots within plots, each met with large body counts, becomes the constant theme here. Anyone and anything that gets in the way of eliminating these filthy aliens must be abolished. The massacres the Kandorians have to endure, and their counter measures to ensure their safety, cause global tensions and bring about a huge cadre of superheroes to sort the situation out.
At this point the preamble is done, the Kandorians see the welcome mat yanked away, which makes them launch their city off into space, create a crystalline planet for themselves, and take up orbit on the far side of the sun. Goodbye you crazy humans!
At this point, Kal is still trying to fix all the myriad problems that have come about here, and so with a heavy heart he talks to wife Lois and mother Martha and goes off to outer space and New Krypton.
The stage is set and the players are now in place.
Kal-El is now world building, society changing and evil plot solving in the World of New Krypton comic by James Robinson, Greg Rucka and Pete Woods. Guest stars like Green Lantern, Adam Strange and Jemm pop up here because of the new galactic power this planet represents. We also see the creators reinvent Krypton by incorporating as many different previous versions as possible, and somehow keeping internal logic. Kal learning about how things work here does not make him a happy Superman, and brings out the social revolutionary in him.
Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, new protectors have emerged in the Superman comic, by James Robinson and Renato Geudes. Through a series of flukes, Mon-El has been plucked from the Phantom Zone and managed to be cured, while another clone of the golden age hero The Guardian has come to town. These two bring truth and justice and subplots galore here every month.
But what of all the subterfuge between the two planets? Action Comics by Greg Rucka and various artists plays with this concept by showcasing the hunt for Kryptonian infiltrators by Nightwing and Flamebird. This crime fighting duo, and potential couple, are also Kryptonians and fighting against the evil General Zod’s plans for Earth.
The tale of someone genuinely torn between the two worlds is in the Supergirl comic, by Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle. Whether she is on New Krypton endlessly arguing with her mother – and leader of Kandor, or learning about humanity while living with Lana Lang back on Earth, Supergirl is constantly challenged. She is also subjected to relentless yellow journalism by Daily Planet gossip hound Cat Grant, trying on the secret identity of Linda Lang, and recovering from Kryptonite poisoning, which by the way, is a brilliant pot device to fix the many many problems plaguing the character over the years. Supergirl 43 is the absolute best of this series, featuring her birthday and choosing a guild.
Joining in on the fun is Adventure Comics, by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul. Starting with Superboy slowly becoming a part of everything, the series than evolves into telling the tale of how the time travelling Legion of Super Heroes are involved with this crisis.
Along the way with this sweeping storyline, we get some one shots giving us the journey of Jimmy Olsen as he investigates General Lane, and another one shot at a critical junction of everything. A personal favourite is the World’s Finest miniseries, by Sterling Gates and various artists, which has several very important plot developments. But the real reason this is a classic part of New Krypton is that these four issues have a literal whackload of Superman and Batman supporting characters teaming up, arguing, bantering, and just giving us readers a grand old adventure. Come on, Guardian and Robin Damian taking on Mr Freeze and the Parasite, what more can you ask for?
The only downside to this undertaking is the midway point. You can tell the gears behind the scenes were being shifted slightly, with some ideas, like Mon-El’s powers or what to do with Guardian’s “kid”, becoming increasing sidelined. By the time of the epic ending with The Last Stand of New Krypton comic, you can feel the lethargy kicking in. This is not to say the conclusion, which reaches its final crescendo with the War Of The Supermen mini-series, was not good and gripping and emotional, but it is obvious the fatigue from creating all those stories had taken it’s toll.
Afterall, besides everything I have mentioned, New Krypton also stars Lois Lane on a quest for the truth about her father, Perry White trying to guide her, Lex Luther being the master manipulator, Atlas being a brute, Steel helping out in Metropolis, the Creature Commandos making a comeback, Reactron being a ruthless murderer, Doomsday terrorizing everyone, Captain Atom playing a role, Daxam history getting re-explained, Codename: Assassin getting a dust-off, Silver Banshee giving a shout out, Insect Queen crawling about, Rao gaining new followers, and a partridge in a pear tree. With all this, and so much more, is it any wonder that everyone involved probably needed a nice long vacation when it was all said and done?
One issue that was present from the start, as related in interviews by writer Greg Rucka, is that New Krypton was very much behind schedule right from inception. Playing catch-up was always a present concern for all creators, who all want to do their best, but are facing a super deadline looming before them.
Because of this rushed nature of the series, and despite the promotional push from DC Comics, fans seemed slightly jaded before New Krypton even began. I myself got every issue, but only read them all last month. Because of this malaise, I firmly believe sales of the entire storyline were far below expectations, which is most likely why virtually all aspects of it were promptly ignored as soon as it ended. And this failure was also the most probable reason why the major surgery was committed on Superman’s history with The New 52 Relaunch. Think about it, this massive sweeping tale of epic proportions with far reaching ramifications vanishes from continuity a year later? Such a shame.
Everyone has a favourite Superman. Mine is the From Crisis To Crisis era. This storyline, with a nip and tuck and a bit of mental rewiring, can still fit somewhat gently into that beloved version of the Man of Steel. Yes, some leaps are harder to take than others, and I am looking at you Lucy Lane, but so many of the basic concepts are still present and accounted for.
So many thoughts and ideas are expressed here. The Clark Kent of Ma and Pa Kent faces off against the Kal-El of Krypton, nature versus nurture on a planetary scale. Earth and New Krypton on a collision course caused by madmen, people who know nothing of what Superman stands for. All this encompassing something like 150 comics in total.
A Super tale for a Superman.
October 19, 2023
The final stage before the final stage of New Krypton. Zod has been shot, so let's take a break for another book, then end with a mystery uncovering a sinister conspiracy!
As the last volume ended with a big cliffhanger, we pick up right where it left off with Superman tracking down the shooter to Earth... then we take a break for Codename: Patriot (which tragically was not on Hoopla, but nicely summarized here). I really wish Patriot was included here or the opening/prelude issue was in the last volume, as this presents quite a rude interruption to the narrative flow. Luckily, they summarized the story before we resume here.
As far as the rest of the volume goes, we get Krypton contending with a few other galactic players, which is largely Superman playing diplomat using his status and heroics as Superman of Earth to deescalate things after a fun fight scene. The second part is mystery. A kryptonian leader is killed and Adam Strange teams up with Superman to investigate. Very much a goose-chase story, but it was fun seeing Superman try to be a detective. The actual conspiracy he uncovers was pretty cool as it directly sets up the finale of Krypton and Earth going to war. Zod is still awesome here, embodying lawful evil far better than Lex could dream of. Now, unfortunately, we get another cliffhanger which leads into the next chapter (Last Stand of New Krypton), which is also tragically not in Hoopla. Still, aside from the awkward chapter arrangement, this was a fun story.
The highlight is easily Superman's relationship with Tyr, the friend who betrayed him. Superman is very harsh on him, but ultimately forgive him and helps Tyr with the Labor Guild, doing his best to help fight for their rights. Superman's scolding of Tyr was very heartbreaking and their reunion very heartwarming.
In short, but a chapter in this larger story, probably the weakest thus far, but still fun nonetheless. On to Last Stand of New Krypton! (Oh, wait. It's not on Hoopla! On to War of the Supermen, then!)
As the last volume ended with a big cliffhanger, we pick up right where it left off with Superman tracking down the shooter to Earth... then we take a break for Codename: Patriot (which tragically was not on Hoopla, but nicely summarized here). I really wish Patriot was included here or the opening/prelude issue was in the last volume, as this presents quite a rude interruption to the narrative flow. Luckily, they summarized the story before we resume here.
As far as the rest of the volume goes, we get Krypton contending with a few other galactic players, which is largely Superman playing diplomat using his status and heroics as Superman of Earth to deescalate things after a fun fight scene. The second part is mystery. A kryptonian leader is killed and Adam Strange teams up with Superman to investigate. Very much a goose-chase story, but it was fun seeing Superman try to be a detective. The actual conspiracy he uncovers was pretty cool as it directly sets up the finale of Krypton and Earth going to war. Zod is still awesome here, embodying lawful evil far better than Lex could dream of. Now, unfortunately, we get another cliffhanger which leads into the next chapter (Last Stand of New Krypton), which is also tragically not in Hoopla. Still, aside from the awkward chapter arrangement, this was a fun story.
The highlight is easily Superman's relationship with Tyr, the friend who betrayed him. Superman is very harsh on him, but ultimately forgive him and helps Tyr with the Labor Guild, doing his best to help fight for their rights. Superman's scolding of Tyr was very heartbreaking and their reunion very heartwarming.
In short, but a chapter in this larger story, probably the weakest thus far, but still fun nonetheless. On to Last Stand of New Krypton! (Oh, wait. It's not on Hoopla! On to War of the Supermen, then!)
May 12, 2023
When General Zod is badly injured in an assassination attempt, Kal-El finds himself thrust into command of New Krypton's military. He then has to tackle delicate interplanetary peace negotiations, as well as root out a conspiracy within Kryptonian society itself.
This continues to run with the interesting ideas introduced in Volume Three, with Kal trying to change his people's minds by showing them a different, better way to what they've seen before.
It's particularly interesting to see Superman becoming a military leader and using that role to promote peace. All too often in comics military leaders are just warmongering lunatics (and this series isn't without them), so this is a nice exploration of the fact that most soldiers, whilst trained for combat, are not desperate for war.
I have to say that I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the last one, however, and the tensions here seemed a little more obvious and skin-deep as opposed to the more subtle ones from before.
It also continues to bother me that Kal doesn't really seem to show any signs of missing Earth and the wife/friends/mother he left behind there. It just feels weirdly out-of-character.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
This continues to run with the interesting ideas introduced in Volume Three, with Kal trying to change his people's minds by showing them a different, better way to what they've seen before.
It's particularly interesting to see Superman becoming a military leader and using that role to promote peace. All too often in comics military leaders are just warmongering lunatics (and this series isn't without them), so this is a nice exploration of the fact that most soldiers, whilst trained for combat, are not desperate for war.
I have to say that I didn't enjoy this book quite as much as the last one, however, and the tensions here seemed a little more obvious and skin-deep as opposed to the more subtle ones from before.
It also continues to bother me that Kal doesn't really seem to show any signs of missing Earth and the wife/friends/mother he left behind there. It just feels weirdly out-of-character.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
April 5, 2018
Issue 6, reprinted in Codename Patriot, is also reprinted here. Interesting decision. Otherwise, it's pretty straight - issues 6 through 12. If the first half of New Krypton focused on Krypton's domestic policy, the second half is all about the foreign relations. It's also much less compelling. After some conspiracy regarding Zod's would-be assassin and an attempt on Alura, the Kryptonians find themselves in conflict with Thanagarians - however, the issue itself makes no sense; what are Thanagarians doing near Jupiter in the first place? Then Jemm, Son of Saturn, shows up. Okay, I can buy it. Increased paranoia for the Kryptonians. Adam Strange shows up for most of the final three issues, and he doesn't contribute a damn thing - Robinson apparently just likes him and shoehorned him in. Superman figures out the conspiracy and its connection to General Lane, and then Brainiac attacks - cliffhanger!
If Adam Strange weren't shoehorned in unnecessarily, taking away from the relationships of Superman and his Kryptonian allies, and if the Thanagarian conflict made more sense - it might've been a really good book. As is, it's just okay.
If Adam Strange weren't shoehorned in unnecessarily, taking away from the relationships of Superman and his Kryptonian allies, and if the Thanagarian conflict made more sense - it might've been a really good book. As is, it's just okay.
September 15, 2025
Como lo mencioné en la entrada anterior, esta serie es la que menos me terminó gustando. Independientemente de que no me encantan las historias políticas, sentí que en este pasan cosas muy apresuradas y la verdad es que me gustaría que tuvieran mas desarrollo. Es decir la parte en que tienen un problema con Thanagar si es importante pero podría haber sido mas importante (no se como explicarlo, habría que leerlo para entender). En los últimos tres sale de invitado Adam Strange, un poco por lo de Thanagar (en ese entonces Rann y Thanagar habían tenido un guerra muy importante) y no me encantó la caracterización que se le dio (en particular en el #10). En fin, ya la historia se está acercando a su final y no se si ya para ese entonces se sabía dentro de DC que vendría una reestructura (el "New 52") pero si se sienten algunas cosas un poco apresuradas.
July 25, 2025
This series was a disappointment overall. The book could have been revolutionary, especially with the writers involved. Unfortunately, we're given a handful of lame mysteries, random guest stars for almost no reason, and a plethora of interchangeable named but meaningless New Kryptonians. So much could have been done here that was only touched upon and it just seems liked a missed opportunity. Kal at times is presented as a beacon of hope and at other times, a whiny baby. The other Kryptonians are almost indistinguishable. The art was fine but nothing to write home about it. Overall, this could have been something and was...next to nothing.
Read
January 19, 2025Just as mediocre as the last one. I think I’ve gotten pretty good at picking up on Rucka and Robinson’s writing tic’s so I can skip the Robinson pages and read the Rucka ones. And honestly as clunky as this is Greg Rucka’s writing feels like a warm blanket at this point. I couldn’t put this down but also could care less about Robinson’s Superman books that follow up on that shoe-horned cliffhanger.
September 3, 2025
This is what I wanted from the New Krypton arc!
An examination of what it would look like to build a new Kryptonian society. Trying to figure out what to carry over vs. what to improve. Navigating relationships with other planets. With a compelling murder mystery framing device and with a conflicted Superman as the lead, with Zod inserting himself as a surrogate father figure.
...pity that it ends on a cliffhanger that let's you know the good times are OVER.
An examination of what it would look like to build a new Kryptonian society. Trying to figure out what to carry over vs. what to improve. Navigating relationships with other planets. With a compelling murder mystery framing device and with a conflicted Superman as the lead, with Zod inserting himself as a surrogate father figure.
...pity that it ends on a cliffhanger that let's you know the good times are OVER.
January 14, 2021
Really enjoyed this so far. READING AS COMPANION TO SUPERGIRL BOOKS.
Overall its an interesting premise. My only problem is that superman never really holds his ground as he would on earth, he is more flexible but then he kinda has to be when so outnumbered.
I really enjoyed the dynamic back and forth with Zod. I an actually getting to like him when given a fuller perspective on his character.
Overall its an interesting premise. My only problem is that superman never really holds his ground as he would on earth, he is more flexible but then he kinda has to be when so outnumbered.
I really enjoyed the dynamic back and forth with Zod. I an actually getting to like him when given a fuller perspective on his character.
April 26, 2023
Superman: New Krypton Vol. 4
As Kal-El takes command of the Military Guild, it becomes clear that New Krypton's top echelon of politicians are being targeted and he must use all the skills of investigative reporter Clark Kent to uncover the conspirators.
Some gorgeous artwork and excellent layouts contribute to what would otherwise be a fairly plodding mystery.
As Kal-El takes command of the Military Guild, it becomes clear that New Krypton's top echelon of politicians are being targeted and he must use all the skills of investigative reporter Clark Kent to uncover the conspirators.
Some gorgeous artwork and excellent layouts contribute to what would otherwise be a fairly plodding mystery.
March 29, 2024
This is becoming a pretty slow burn, I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to continue it. Plus it's impossible to find the reading order online from what I could tell.
January 10, 2019
The story continues and appears to end but for at least the quiet time before all New Krypton’s stories close. The last volume ended with a moment of peace interrupted by an assassination attempt. General Zod has almost been killed and Superman as Commander Kal-El is now General Kal-El as his first duty is to find out who was responsible for nearly killing Krypton’s military leader.
Only this whodunnit is resolved in another New Krypton collection called Codename: Patriot. Would have been better in this collection, perhaps Johns and Robinson will combine those stories together one day as the story continues with the dead body of the attempted assassin brought back to Krypton as Superman continues to get used to his position of authority until Zod returns to health.
An encounter with Thanagar and later Saturn is brief and interesting shows off Superman’s authority with New Krypton’s political as well as military concerns, even a nice cameo from Adam Strange. As well as another attempted murder mystery concerning Krypton’s guilds leads to almost another assassination.
In the end, this collection of New Krypton ends with not just Zod back but the return of another old foe out to strike New Krypton.
OK, but it's nowhere near as grand as I hoped. C+
Only this whodunnit is resolved in another New Krypton collection called Codename: Patriot. Would have been better in this collection, perhaps Johns and Robinson will combine those stories together one day as the story continues with the dead body of the attempted assassin brought back to Krypton as Superman continues to get used to his position of authority until Zod returns to health.
An encounter with Thanagar and later Saturn is brief and interesting shows off Superman’s authority with New Krypton’s political as well as military concerns, even a nice cameo from Adam Strange. As well as another attempted murder mystery concerning Krypton’s guilds leads to almost another assassination.
In the end, this collection of New Krypton ends with not just Zod back but the return of another old foe out to strike New Krypton.
OK, but it's nowhere near as grand as I hoped. C+
January 2, 2015
Review originally posted at http://wp.me/p4Wvzn-oh
As I'm nearing the end of the New Krypton story arc I have to say that I'm really enjoying my time with it. Each volume seems to get better and better and Volume 4 is no exception.
Vol 4 continues the adventures of Superman or Commander El now that he's living on New Krypton and part of the Kryptonian military. It's refreshing once agin to see Kal-El out of his red & blue tights and it's also really refreshing to see in this story that he isn't the perfect model of tolerance and forgiveness he's sometimes portrayed to be.
General Zod still recovering from the assassination attempt on his life surprisingly promotes Kal-El to General and grants him temporary command of New Krypon's military. This was a particular highlight for me, I really enjoyed seeing Kal in his new role and despite his farm-boy humility he really did make a good leader.
The book also deals with the political position of New Krypton in regards to other races around them and the impact of the Kryptonian's arrival on the local star system. It's fair to say that many people aren't really happy with the arrival of New Krypton, but it's the good will engendered by Superman over the years that seems to keep the peace.
The latter part of the book deals with the murder of one of the Krypton high council members and General El's investigation into the matter. He's helped in this by Adam Strange who had come to New Krypton as an emissary of Raan to protest New Krypton's dealing with Thanagar.
The whodunnit aspect of the latter part of the book was really cool and it was really interesting to see just how much at odds with his people's way of thinking that Kal-El is, to the point that General Zod tells him that he "thinks too much like a human"
The dynamic between Zod and Kal-El is really fun to read particularly knowing the past history. While the two aren't exactly friends and Zod is still somewhat of an arrogant man, there is something of a begrudging respect between the two.
Overall New Krypton Vol 4 was a fantastic read and one I'd highly recommend, though it does end on a massive cliffhanger.
As I'm nearing the end of the New Krypton story arc I have to say that I'm really enjoying my time with it. Each volume seems to get better and better and Volume 4 is no exception.
Vol 4 continues the adventures of Superman or Commander El now that he's living on New Krypton and part of the Kryptonian military. It's refreshing once agin to see Kal-El out of his red & blue tights and it's also really refreshing to see in this story that he isn't the perfect model of tolerance and forgiveness he's sometimes portrayed to be.
General Zod still recovering from the assassination attempt on his life surprisingly promotes Kal-El to General and grants him temporary command of New Krypon's military. This was a particular highlight for me, I really enjoyed seeing Kal in his new role and despite his farm-boy humility he really did make a good leader.
The book also deals with the political position of New Krypton in regards to other races around them and the impact of the Kryptonian's arrival on the local star system. It's fair to say that many people aren't really happy with the arrival of New Krypton, but it's the good will engendered by Superman over the years that seems to keep the peace.
The latter part of the book deals with the murder of one of the Krypton high council members and General El's investigation into the matter. He's helped in this by Adam Strange who had come to New Krypton as an emissary of Raan to protest New Krypton's dealing with Thanagar.
The whodunnit aspect of the latter part of the book was really cool and it was really interesting to see just how much at odds with his people's way of thinking that Kal-El is, to the point that General Zod tells him that he "thinks too much like a human"
The dynamic between Zod and Kal-El is really fun to read particularly knowing the past history. While the two aren't exactly friends and Zod is still somewhat of an arrogant man, there is something of a begrudging respect between the two.
Overall New Krypton Vol 4 was a fantastic read and one I'd highly recommend, though it does end on a massive cliffhanger.
June 30, 2012
Supposedly closing out the New Krypton storyline (it doesn't wrap it up, however), volume 4 descends into a hodge-podge of convenience, coincidence, and contrived plotting. The biggest problem is that a significant subplot in the middle of this story happens off-page and is referenced to in a quick blurb of text that tells you to go buy the other trade for the full story. I understand this mechanism with crossovers for individual comics, but when you're buying the trade, the expectation is you're getting the full story. And what's really the point of reading the other trade if the entire thing can be summed up in one page of text to move this story along? It can't be that horribly interesting or involved, right?
Then there's what actually goes on throughout this volume. Superman (or Kal, as he goes by on New Krypton) manages to save the day against a number of nearly unrelated situations. The Thanagarians attack Kryptonians! Oh no! Don't worry, Kal will make everything right. A moon is going to crash into Krypton! Kal's actions get the Thanagarians to help. Then the populace to help. Then there's Jemm, the Son of Saturn, some guy who just shows up, hits people, and goes away--all because Kal is there. And the assassinations! Lucky Adam Strange is there, for absolutely no reason, because Kal saves the day. And so on. It's so inane and nothing flows naturally. I can't believe junk like this gets published today.
Lastly, instead of closing out the New Krypton storyline, the last page has a splash page introducing some new threat (which I'm guessing was setup off-page since that's how this whole series has gone...) to everyone. So go pick up some other books to take care of that chunk of story! This is just bad, bad, bad all around.
Then there's what actually goes on throughout this volume. Superman (or Kal, as he goes by on New Krypton) manages to save the day against a number of nearly unrelated situations. The Thanagarians attack Kryptonians! Oh no! Don't worry, Kal will make everything right. A moon is going to crash into Krypton! Kal's actions get the Thanagarians to help. Then the populace to help. Then there's Jemm, the Son of Saturn, some guy who just shows up, hits people, and goes away--all because Kal is there. And the assassinations! Lucky Adam Strange is there, for absolutely no reason, because Kal saves the day. And so on. It's so inane and nothing flows naturally. I can't believe junk like this gets published today.
Lastly, instead of closing out the New Krypton storyline, the last page has a splash page introducing some new threat (which I'm guessing was setup off-page since that's how this whole series has gone...) to everyone. So go pick up some other books to take care of that chunk of story! This is just bad, bad, bad all around.
August 31, 2013
In the aftermath of an assassination attempt, Kal is made head of the New Krypton army by Zod. He promptly stops a battle between Thanagarians and Kryptonians in space and also fosters a truce between the 2, as well as keeping the people of Saturn from attacking New Krypton.
He then has to deal with the assassination/murder of a council member, and the person standing over the body is none other than Adam Strange. Strange then helps Clark/Kal uncover the mystery and intrigue and political plays happening behind the scenes, including another assassination attempt...
The storyline is good, strength coming from Kal using all his powers of mind from his time on Earth to think through everything. What's most interesting of all to me however, is the continued evolution of the relationship between Kal and Zod...for adversaries, Zod seems to come to respect Kal and by trusting him only to run things while he's unable to, shows a lot of growth for a man who Superman had to imprison in the Phantom Zone...
The action is good, but it really is the relationships and storyline here that does it, and you can tell it's some kind of crime-story, as Greg Rucka is again involved and does great work.
Nice conclusion to the 4 volumes, but the Event is left on a cliffhanger, so there's more to investigate!
Worth a read. The 3-4 Volumes are better than 1-2 but you need them to understand the rest...
He then has to deal with the assassination/murder of a council member, and the person standing over the body is none other than Adam Strange. Strange then helps Clark/Kal uncover the mystery and intrigue and political plays happening behind the scenes, including another assassination attempt...
The storyline is good, strength coming from Kal using all his powers of mind from his time on Earth to think through everything. What's most interesting of all to me however, is the continued evolution of the relationship between Kal and Zod...for adversaries, Zod seems to come to respect Kal and by trusting him only to run things while he's unable to, shows a lot of growth for a man who Superman had to imprison in the Phantom Zone...
The action is good, but it really is the relationships and storyline here that does it, and you can tell it's some kind of crime-story, as Greg Rucka is again involved and does great work.
Nice conclusion to the 4 volumes, but the Event is left on a cliffhanger, so there's more to investigate!
Worth a read. The 3-4 Volumes are better than 1-2 but you need them to understand the rest...
September 9, 2012
Only writing a review for one of these books, as the entire series is really all linked together. I can't say anything good about it, especially with names like James Robinson, Greg Rucka and Geoff Johns attached to it. A world of super-people, Kryptonians like Superman, 100,000 of them on Earth at first, and then in their own new world within our solar system. The idea that such beings could utterly change earth just by existing is, at first toyed with... but then utterly abandoned by the authors. Instead they retreat to tired Silver Age cliches, where New Krypton is nothing more than a world of humans who just happen to be able to fly. Their petty concerns and politics are ridiculous and the plots around them are bad '20s serial filler. A great concept is utterly wasted.
I know they rebooted the DC universe after they did this storyline, so I gues it is all moot, but just one more reason to skip these Superman stories entirely.
I know they rebooted the DC universe after they did this storyline, so I gues it is all moot, but just one more reason to skip these Superman stories entirely.
August 9, 2014
The final New Krypton volume features guests aplenty on the newly-established planet. With Zod having been targeted by an assassin, Superman is promoted to the head of the military. His first task is to hunt down Zod's attacker and uncover the hidden threat facing New Krypton. A battle with Thanagarians and Jemm, Son of Saturn, are next on the docket when attempts to move one of Saturn's moons goes awry. The collection concludes with a murder mystery, as Kal-El must team with Adam Strange to find a Kryptonian killer. Superman's turn as a alien General is a fun and entertaining twist; sadly it comes to a premature end with this final New Krypton allotment. The storyline possibilities of a superpowered populace are barely scratched before the inevitable elimination edict makes its way down from DC editorial. Take a tour of New Krypton for yourself.
July 18, 2011
DC Comics deserves some credit for how it tried to coherently collect the entire New Krypton story arc that spread across multiple specials and titles. A single text page was used in two instances to bridge other volumes with this one. Authors Rucka and Robinson also make Zod, best know for his appearance in the Superman II movie, more than a simple villain. Zod has, to date as the story is unfinished in TPBs, become a more sympathetic character, a military man concerned with perserving his race. Also a shout out for bringing in D list characters such as Jemm and the Faceless Men of Saturn
January 5, 2015
Conclusion to the main sequence of the New Krypton storyline. Though I didn't follow every single strand of this story, I read enough to decide this is some very uneven storytelling. We were given the promise of exploring what the alien society of Krypton would be like given the chance to live again. But the execution left me with the impression that they're just a bunch of whiny, in-fighting aliens. And though the idea of a whole planet of Supermen is cool in theory, I think it ended up being too big for the writers to handle. Besides flying everywhere, very few of the Kryptonians superpowers were utilized effectively.
November 26, 2012
WHAT HAPPENED!!!!! This story arc was looking so promising, especially after the whirlwind volume three.... WHAT A TREMENDOUS LETDOWN!!!!!
It started of implying that there was a looming feud with the people of Earth that needed resolution, but then, in no time, this story completely derails into some redonkulously ridiculous story about runaway moons and Thanagarians and Saturnians and some inane murder mystery involving Adam Strange!!! What. The. Fudge. ???
An unquestionable target-miss for everyone involved. An exercise in redundancy and diversion. Awful, awful stuff.
1/5
It started of implying that there was a looming feud with the people of Earth that needed resolution, but then, in no time, this story completely derails into some redonkulously ridiculous story about runaway moons and Thanagarians and Saturnians and some inane murder mystery involving Adam Strange!!! What. The. Fudge. ???
An unquestionable target-miss for everyone involved. An exercise in redundancy and diversion. Awful, awful stuff.
1/5
April 21, 2016
This volume reprints part of the Codename: Patriot story arc, so if you didn't read it you get the most important piece printed here again.
Everything in here takes place on New Krypton with some of it deals with the escalating tensions between NK and Earth, but part of the story is about even more assassinations and the internal politics of the planet. You start to see just how big the storyline is and can appreciate just how much planning the writer had to do which is why it gets an extra star from previous volumes.
I believe this begins the final act of this storyline...
Everything in here takes place on New Krypton with some of it deals with the escalating tensions between NK and Earth, but part of the story is about even more assassinations and the internal politics of the planet. You start to see just how big the storyline is and can appreciate just how much planning the writer had to do which is why it gets an extra star from previous volumes.
I believe this begins the final act of this storyline...
August 29, 2010
The problem I have with the New Krypton storyline is that Superman is amongst his fellow Kryptonians (or Kandorians, whatever) and due to the yellow sun, they all have superpowers. What's that line fromt Pixars's The Incredibles? "When everyone's a super, no one will be!"
Superman is only super when he's among mere mortal Earthlings. When everyone is like him, he's just a man. *Yawn*
Superman is only super when he's among mere mortal Earthlings. When everyone is like him, he's just a man. *Yawn*
May 12, 2012
I find the fact Superman looks like Christopher Reeve at some points and then someone completely different in other drawings a bit distracting. Also didn't like the fact I would have to buy the patriot series to read part of the story. How rubbish to be reading something and find out you have to read another book to get the full story. Other than that story was ok but not great. Also wasn't expecting cliff hanger as thought this story only had 4 parts.
April 24, 2011
Superman is in good hands when Greg Rucka writes him. I enjoyed the first New Krypton murder mystery. I think Superman works best as a Silver-age sci-fi character so it's nice the publisher has brought that element back ever since Grant Morrison wrote All-Star Supes. I personally get a kick with the Gary Frank covers because he draws Superman like Chris Reeve.
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