SUPERMAN: KINGDOM OF ZOD SPECIAL #1 (DC COMICS)
With the Kryptonite Plague out of the way, all the attention of the Super-Force falls to ZOD!
After being killed by Ursa in the present, Zod was plucked from the past in a way to avoid his deadly destiny. The time-displaced Kryptonian now knows the truth about his world and what follows the planet’s downfall. He has now made a claim to avoid that at all costs! Any actions he takes now can shatter the timeline if he stays.
It’s gonna take one last super heroic effort to stop him and save the timeline once and for all!
SUPERMAN: KINGDOM OF ZOD SPECIAL #1 by Joshua Williamson, Paolo Villanelli, Arif Prianto, & Josh Reed ( W/ Sophie Campbell, Tamra Bonvillain, Mark Waid, David Messina, Ivan Plascencia, Dan Slott, Rachael Stott, Giuliano Peratelli, Bruno Frenda, & Luis Guerrero - DC COMICS) concludes the latest Superman event!
Let’s take a closer look at the finale.
SUPERMAN: KINGDOM OF ZOD SPECIAL #1 by Joshua Williamson, Paolo Villanelli, Arif Prianto, & Josh Reed ( W/ Sophie Campbell, Tamra Bonvillain, Mark Waid, David Messina, Ivan Plascencia, Dan Slott, Rachael Stott, Giuliano Peratelli, Bruno Frenda, & Luis Guerrero - DC COMICS)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
Williamson gives this story a proper farewell while staging events for a mysterious future. The opening does an excellent recap of events after a look back at Clark and Jon Kent. Their conversation raises questions about doing what’s right no matter the cost. It proves to be very impactful for where things stand now. The writing never lets readers escape how high the stakes are. Every panel screams of immediate danger if failure should occur. This leads itself to let some unlikely players get the ball and run with it.
The one that will shock fans the most is Booster Gold. Williamson stages him in an unforeseen placement as the desperation of stopping Zod sinks in. The result is a highly enjoyable moment which pushes Superman’s fight into dangerous territory. There’s a healthy dose of emotions driving this point into a thrilling showdown. The dialogue nails its’ points to remedy the last conflict. This move allows the fallout to have a heavier feel, magnifying the event. It sends the force on their new paths, but not without creating more drama.
The respective monthly teams cap off their character’s times with great complimentary pieces. The Superboy saga gets a heartfelt farewell as young Clark bears a new burden. Kara’s time is gifted a new stat quo as well as new dangers on the horizon. Even “CK”’s fate is decided in a fashion fitting for the brash anti-hero? The final piece of the events happens to tease the most impact. Readers watch as a new arrival enters at the right place with good intentions? Brace for impact with this one as this event’s ramifications will be sending shockwaves for a while.
more superman!
Villanelli & Prianto take the heavy lifting for this final round. The opening pages reflect on a throwback moment between Father and Son. It conveys the attempts to raise Jon Kent while camouflaging the burden of being Superman. This gives way to an excellent two page spread recapping the monumental event. The art team brings the fight into view with another epic two page splash. This build a kinetic pace that never truly slows down. Reactions showcase the pull of the fight while a surprise hero steps up.
An excellent full page shot shows Booster Gold going to work. For all the knocks he gets, seeing him let loose with be something readers truly enjoy. This kicks off a solid run of action that thrills at every turn. It boils to a head with another huge two page splash. Prianto’s coloring stands out in this moment as one player is taken off the board. This moves readers into the final battle, where the art doesn’t hold back. It carries a high intensity as actions are taken. Once the smoke clears, a half panel showcases the winners in less than favorable fashion. A great sign of a monster battle and endgame.
From here, the story breaks off into the creative teams of the monthly books. Each have their own unique visions and styles. It lets the result cement their places while building up more. None are greater than the final page and the full shot closing the issue down. A enjoyable visual ride to say the least.
FINAL GRADE: 9.3
Zod takes one last stand but can the Super-Force stop him once and for all? Williamson delivers on a thunderous finale. The art team locks in on huge moments and even greater fallout. A legacy event that fans won’t want to miss.
Let me know your thoughts on SUPERMAN: KINGDOM OF ZOD SPECIAL #1 in the comments below. Thanks for reading!
