Superman: World of New Krypton #2 Review

Written by Greck Rucka and James Robinsion

Penciled by Pete Woods

Cover by Gary Frank

Up To Speed:

Kandor has been released from its bottled state. 100,000 Kryptonians inhabit the new planet fixed within Earths orbit.

Dubbed by its citizens as "New Krypton", Superman decides to leave Earth for a period in order to help teach the Kryptonians how to use their powers responsibly as well as keep the peace with both worlds.

Kal-El's aunt, Alura, has taken reigns as head of the planet. When Kal-El arrives he is asked to follow the Kryptonian rituals of joining one of the many guilds. He shows disinterest, believing that such customs are unnecessary and all should be treated as equals.

With Kal-El refusing to choose, Alura assigns him to the military guild which is headed by General Zod. Now free from the Phantom Zone, Zod is regarded as a great hero to all on New Krypton.

Kal-El is now addressed as "Commander El."

World of New Krypton #2

On Oa, the Guardians discuss the ramifications of New Kryptons existence. They fear that under Zods rule, the Kryptonians will once again seek conquest throughout the galaxy as it happened long ago.

Back on New Krypton, Zod assigns Kal-El to lead the Law Enforcement and Civic defense unit called "Red Shard". He's given a first lieutenant as well, Asha Del-Nar.

Non, the mindless brute that was once a brilliant scientist, is being teased by members of Commander El's unit as they release a Torquat,(some mixture of a porcupine and rabid dog) upon him. He stops the charade and orders the unit to report for flying drills for the entire day.

In the Artists Guild, Kal-El and Alura talk of how her now deceased husband was a member of both the science and art guilds. Kal-El then has a chat with one of the men in the Labor Guild who confesses that some of his colleagues are uneasy in their position and look to have their voices heard.

His cousin, Kara/Supergirl, drops in and they have a quick moment together before being interrupted by Zod. He tells Kal-El of rampaging Thought-Beasts loose on the plains of New Krypton and assigns him to deal with the task. When his unit attempts to simply kill the beasts, Commander-El suggests a better option in leading the herd into an enclosed pit for safe keeping.

Zod compliments Commander-El on the situation but is quick to admit that he would have handled it much more aggressively. Their conversation is interrupted with news of the Labor Guild holding Alura and others hostage at the Gala.

Commander Gor, who is responsible for the deaths of several police officers when the city of Kandor was on Earth, has a group of the labor guild together and warns that if the hostages aren't freed he will release fire on the workers.

Story:

This story continues quite well, setting up some new challenges for the Man of Steel. Even though he's placed in a position he disagrees with, he goes along willingly in order to fit into his home world.

Zod challenges him at every turn to be more aggressive but he is still Clark Kent at heart. He shows compassion for Non, while being stern with those who were teasing. His alternative to retaining the Thought-Beasts is very clever and shows exactly why he needs to be there in helping his native people learn the values he was raised upon.

The cliffhanger works well to lead us into the next issue and I feel that there will be possible violent altercations between Superman and Commander Gor as they've already shown a disliking for one another.

Art:

Pete Woods art is strong although some parts fall a little flat for me. It seems like parts of the lines are too thick in places and need to be toned down a bit. Most of the characters are drawn quite well but at times his Superman seems a bit off in the facial area. His spread of the Artists Guild is beautiful and his landscapes look nice as well.  Over all though, really good work from Woods.

Great cover by Gary Frank, it would've been nice to see him doing this art, but we'll have him and Geoff Johns on Secret Origins which will be out soon.