Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton, Vol. 1

Superman: New Krypton Saga #5

by James Robinson, Sterling Gates, Eric Trautmann

For the past year, Superman has been living on New Krypton - a planet populated by thousands of super-powered Kryptonians just like him! But after struggling to keep their society alive in spite of numerous challenges, New Krypton faces their worst nightmare as Brainiac, the alien believed to be partly responsible for the annihilation of the original planet Krypton, attacks the planet, determined to recapture the city of Kandor! But Kryptonian General Zod has been waiting for this moment since Brainiac first attacked Old Krypton - he has a plan to save his people, but at the cost of Earth and the future as we know it! So it's up to Superman, Supergirl, Superboy and the Legion of Super-Heroes to stop the two madmen before they destroy everything! Over a year in the making, this thrilling collection concludes a ground-shaking change to the Superman status quo and sets in motion all the volatile elements that will combine to make the summer 2010 event WAR OF THE SUPERMAN so explosive!

Collecting ADVENTURE COMICS #8-9, SUPERMAN: LAST STAND OF NEW KRYPTON #1-2, SUPERGIRL #51 and SUPERMAN #698.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Superman, Dc Comics, Science Fiction, Superheroes, Comic Book

168 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

James Dale Robinson is a British writer of American comic books and screenplays.

Reviews

[Jeff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just a green-skinned dude on a Saturday night, lookin' for the fight of his life
In the real-time galaxy no one sees him at all, they all say he's crazy

Locking down cities to the beat of his heart, changing movement into life
He has flown into the danger zone, when Kandor becomes his again

He can cut you like a knife, if the heat vision becomes a fire
On a wire between will and what-will-be
As he wipes out future history.

It's Brainiac, Brainiac (and Lex Luthor)
And he's collectin' like he's never collected stuff before
It's Brainiac, Brainiac (and Lex Luthor)
And he's smackin' down Superman like he's never done before


Brainiac’s escaped Earth custody and he wants the Kryptonian city of Kandor miniaturized and placed under glass again, but first he want to soften up the Kryptonians by sending in a swarm of droids and then he wants to give Superman the biggest bear hug ever.



Uh, that’s not a bear hug.

What happens on New Krypton could wipe out the future so throw in those meddling futuristic kids from the 31st century (Legion of Super-Heroes) and ramp up the tension with a race against the clock to save, well, the universe and a cranky Lex Luthor monologue…



…and you have a lukewarm mess.

Was that Krypton Ray gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see Superman?

I think, and General Zod will agree with me, that throwing in the Legion just made this storyline a tad too busy.



Throw ‘em in comic book jail!! You know the one, where they have idiot guards or leave the jail door unlocked.

Bottom line: So far, for the last huge Superman event before DC went all New 52, this has its moments, including the one below, where Kal-El makes a quick identity choice. I’m not a big Superman fan, but his one gave me goose bumps.

[James DeSantis · Rating 3 out of 5]

THE LAST STAND!

The FIGHT to end all fights!

Or you know...just another big brawl with Superman at the helm.

The four volumes leading up to this help build this battle up to a final climax. Brianiac is coming after Superman's new home. What a surprise right? However, he has a secret partner up his sleeve. If you read volume 1-2 you can probably guess who that is. Also the world of Krypton is going to shit and Zod is being his regular asshole self. No fear though we have the justice society or something coming to help. I forgot their name. Anyway, Superboy and Mon-el, the only two worth mentioning, come to New Kryton to help.

Good: The fights are pretty epic and very large in scale. Superman ending is great in here. I also loved the Mon-el parts because honestly he's pretty badass (plus love that suit) and Kara was pretty cool too. Putting on that kiss was pretty awesome.

Bad: The plot is so simple it hurts. Like everything you expect to happen...happens. The Villain isn't interesting, sorry, Brianiac is just boring. Having a helper isn't all that great either. Also, Zod is a dick, and no one sees that. It's pretty annoying.

Overall this was fun but it's pretty forgettable. This major war just feels like another big brawl. It's not bad, but it's not all that memorable. A 2.5 is probably what I'd give it.

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brainiac strikes again and this time has targeted Superman's new home world and he will not let that happen and he fights this abomination of a monster but is pulled down as he has teamed up with Luthor and then we see Supergirl, Superboy, Valor and Legion join the fight and its chaos on all sides as Brainiac robots descend and who will win? who will survive?

Its a great book with predictable mysteries and I love the focus on Zod and Alura and later on Clark as he is trying to deal with this insane situation before him. Plus involving the legion was awesome and makes for such a great read and the art is okayish but what Brainiac does again will change certain character but its played out and feels like the same story all over again but nonetheless.

[John Yelverton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This entire book series has kept me glued to the edge of my seat, and this one starts off the ending with a bang. A fantastic read!

[Paul Riches · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Alan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is part one of the three part conclusion to a year long Superman story where the lost city of Kandor was written back into (and has since been written out of) continuity. While Earth and the colony of New Krypton have been at odds, Supes has gone undercover in the Kyptonian military. With Luthor aiding the U.S. military and Brainiac, an attack is launched on Kandor. Zod begins to make his power play to take over the colony, and some characters from the 30th century have been undercover for much of the pasy year.

Entertaining as the writing team of James Robinson and Sterling Gates provide big action moments with some quieter character spotlights.

[Ernest · Rating 2 out of 5]

For a new reader, this volume did not offer much by way of background or explanation, throwing readers straight into the story. This is not a criticism of the volume but a recognition for what it is-a continuation of a longer storyline that newer readers, like myself, will have to search online to understand it. With the knowledge, it is a brisk tale but one filled with too many characters. Without it, parts are virtually incomprehensible (albeit still readable).

I think this is one for the fans, with the rest not really caring or having any reason to draw them in.

[Mike · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awful, a sad waste of a set-up with real potential. I wish the story had been titled "Brainiac and the Legion of Super-Heroes," as that would have been far more honest. Superman & New Krypton are afterthoughts as the Legion takes center stage.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. There are six issue reprinted here, seven pencilers. It's almost a 1:1 ratio.

It's a pretty solid book, and a nice bounceback from the previous somewhat lackluster volumes. We get to see how Brainiac 5's dad wants to reclaim his ancestral name as a force for good, and Brainy has to travel back to prevent Brainiac 1 from killing Superman. Okay, fine. Mon-El and Superboy meet the Legion and go to aid New Krypton against Brainiac. I feel something's missing, because we've still never seen Brainiac bust from from Gen. Lane's control. One of the big themes is that Kryptonians fear Brainiac and could win if they could corral their forces and fight together, but their caste system and fear prevent that. Interesting idea - that art could support it a little bit better, because the artists continue to draw diverse Kryptonians clustered together when it should apparently be only Kryptonians of a specific guild. But that's not too terrible a sin. I'm also a bit distracted by how easily Kryptonians are killed - I hate the nonsense about red sun energy. Exposure to a red sun ray shouldn't immediately cancel out the energy they've absorbed from the yellow sun - if it did, they'd all be powerless at night or any time they're out of direct sunlight.

Let's see, what else. Interesting touch that Zod tries to arrest the Legion and Superboy, refuses to trust them. Lex and Brainiac are working together - makes sense - still wish I knew how they escaped Lane. Otherwise, lots of fighting, lots of complicated goals - save New Krypton, save the bottle cities, save Superman, stop Brainiac and Luthor. Solid slugfest stuff. The red sun bits annoy me, but Gates and Robinson have a solid handle on the cast and throw some interesting wrinkles into the plot. It's a fun one.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Brainiac launches his ruthless campaign for revenge against Superman and New Krypton it threatens the very existence of the future. Understanding the danger, the villain's descendant Brainiac 5 leads the Legion of Super-Heroes in travelling back through time to avert the disaster. Recruiting Mon-El and Superboy to join them, the Legion travel to New Krypton to take the fight to Brainiac, only to run afoul of General Zod.

Continuing on from the 'New Krypton' series of books, this is the story of how the already-fragile new society is shaken to its core by the impending doom Brainiac represents. Unfortunately, whilst it touches on themes from the preceding stories, most of this book is just superhero/Kryptonian-on-robot action, which may be exciting but certainly lacks depth.

Also, as you might expect from the 'Volume One' of the title, this book also doesn't resolve any of the plot threads it introduces.

* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *

[Emile Rudoy · Rating 3 out of 5]

No se si siempre se planeó la historia así o hubo algún cambio repentino (los títulos no vendían bien y decidieron apresurar las cosas) pero se siente valga la redundancia apresurado. Este es un arco donde se empiezan a resolver cosas pero la aparición de Brainiac y Luthor, aunque obviamente tienen que ver con lo que estaba pasando se sienten un poco sacados de la manga. Como si no hubiera leído algunos números (y es que tenían mucho rato sin salir en las series regulares de Superman). Ahora, creo que fue un error de parte de DC el dividir este arco en dos compilados. Obviamente lo hicieron para tener mas ganancias como lo han hecho con otras cosas como Hush, pero esta historia se hubiera beneficiado de tener un solo tomo de catorce partes donde estuviera la historia completa ya que la parte mas emocionante viene en la segunda parte.

[Eli · Rating 1 out of 5]

I liked part one of the prologue by writer Sterling Gates. I thought much less of part 2 written by James Robinson, whose work I am usually a big fan of. I then got about half way through issue one, Robinson again, and hard pass. I was enjoying Pete Woods art but the writing sucked and the story is generic comic book stuff. If you’re going to write generic comic book stuff you have got to knock it waaaay out of the park. In this day of awesome independent reads I simply can’t give time to what I admired when I was a pubescent and teen reader. When I could be reading the next vol. of East of West or Morning Glories both waiting beside this it was easy to quit.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Start of a good story with great artwork, looks like I'll have to read the whole story!

[C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

(Sarcastic) You know guys, maybe this Zod isn't trust worthy.

[Victor Orozco · Rating 4 out of 5]

After the last volume of Johns and Robinson’s New Krypton series had ended after an interesting set up ends where it started, with Brainiac attacking New Krypton.

At first glance, I can see why this is separate from the main New Krypton story. Those stories dealt with New Krypton culture from its politics to its people. This brings them under attack but also brings in several characters from the Superman ethos. In this case, it brings back the other popular Siegel and Shuster characters of the Legion of Superheroes.

Basically, whatever is affecting the present is bad enough to affect the future, so the Legion does what it can to set things right, starting off with Brainiac 5 to lead the Legion back to the 21st century to stop Brainiac.

Everyone from Superman’s universe, from Superboy, Supergirl and Superman united come to the aid of the beleaguered New Krypton alongside its military to stop Brainiac once and for all. I got to say it does feel better, the New Krypton collection did feel too slow and political, these are comic books, not real life and I wanted to have fun with this story. Fun it is with plenty of great action seeing old friends as well as old enemies. Betrayal, however, is on the horizon and just when all things are lost, you realize its only the beginning as there is a second volume left to read.

Nice start. B-

[NullusAnxietus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted at http://wp.me/p4Wvzn-tD

Brainiac is back! Having escaped from his incarceration on Earth at the hands of General Sam Lane and Project 7734, the knowledge hungry Alien is heading straight for New Krypton, hell-bent on reclaiming the city of Kandor for his collection.

It's up to the Military guild of New Krypton, under the command of General Zod no less, to protect their new home from the clutches of Brainiac. But it's not long before Commander (Kal) El disagrees with the lengths General Zod is prepared to go in battle and resigns his commission, once again making up the mantle of Superman.

Spanning two issues of Adventure Comics, one issue each of Superman and Supergirl and a three issue core series, Last Stand of New Krypton features two concurrent stories. The first deals with the defense of New Krypton and the efforts of the House of El to protect what remains of Kryptonian society from Brainiac. The other follows the Legion of Superheroes as they race to save the future.

Last Stand of New Krypton is a phenomenal read and really ramps up the pace as we head toward the end of the New Krypton story arc. This first volume ends on a cliffhanger and really just compels you to keep reading.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me, the New Krypton story-line was in free fall (Especially after that schizophrenic fourth volume) until I picked up this volume. What can I say? I am an absolute sucker for the Legionnaires. Throw in some Conner Kent and Mon-El for eye-candy, and I was hooked!

Some clean, straight-forward storytelling (Robinson has this tendancy to make his characters stutter and speak disjointedly, but not here, thank gawd!) and some slightly above-average artwork. Everything seems to be building steadily for a final climax.

All-in-all, this was a nice lead-in to the final throws of this epic story-arc, and it has once again piqued my interest in the banality of Supes' exploits on New Krypton. 4/5

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

For some reason, I find DC Comics too cerebral for my tastes. They seem to have a tendency to create characters who are all scientists and the plots pit them against enemies in outer space. Or maybe it's just the story arcs that feature Superman?

Anyway, this story just didn't do it for me! I couldn't get into takes of time-travels and characters from their past and future colliding. The Last Stand of New Krypton this was called: it was my last attempt to really immerse in the universe of Superman. From here on in, it will be all Spider-Man, Daredevil and Wolverine.

[Anne Barwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm a long time fan of the Legion, and this volume didn't disappoint with its interaction between characters. I enjoyed seeing the Superman 'family' fighting side by side with the Legion and the plot held my attention right through to the point where I've put a reserve on vol 2 to see what happens next.

[Nicolas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really gotten into to this whole New Krypton Saga. I'll be sad to see it go. This penultimate volume had lots of action and even managed to make the Legion seem interesting. I'll forward to reading volume 2.

[Patrick Day · Rating 2 out of 5]

A little let down by this volume after the crescendo reached at the end of the Superman: New Krypton books. Lex Luthor and Brainiac teaming up should be a triumph of smart plotting and dialogue, but those two are little used here in favor of a lot of Legion of Superheroes shenanigans.

[Jacob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Public library copy.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Epic battle scenes! And some visitors from the future!

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are some intriguing Legion bits, but for the most part this story is a long fight that's designed to get the story from point A to point B, and it feels just as stretched out as that sounds.

[Blindzider · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good "mid-season" finale. A few twists and nice art.