In an effort to world-build Superman’s doomed planet of origin, there have been a number of “World of Krypton” or World of Krypton-esque title published by DC Comics over the decades.
1979 saw the Silver-Age publication of the titular series, as a three-issue extravaganza with each chapter titled “The Jor-El Story”, “This Planet Is Doomed” and “The Last Days of Krypton”. The late 1980s probably saw the most famous iteration of the series, where the planet and its culture were the focus following the conclusion of DC’s legendary ret-con series, Crisis On Infinite Earths. That particular publication was created by now comic book legends in writer John Byrne and illustrator Mike Mignola, who brought a very particular aesthetic to Krypton, a comprehensive land of super-science and a culture adorned in flowing, articulated clothing that conjured fantastical images, reminiscent of fabled Atlantis in the imaginations of readers.
The culture of Krypton grew again in the telling with Zach Snyder’s more recent Man of Steel (2013) film and David Goyer’s SyFy Channel Krypton (2018) television series, that both borrowed imagery from that late 80s comic book take while also incorporating Edgar Rice Burroughs-visuals in alien beasts and strange topography.
The maturing culture and history of Krypton finds its way back to the comic book medium today, with the release of the first issue of the new and eagerly anticipated six-issue monthly series, World Of Krypton.
Written and illustrated by fan favourites, Robert Venditti (Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, Hawkman, The Flash) and Michael Avon Oeming (Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye, Powers, The Mice Templar), World Of Krypton gives a modern, unexpected and emotional background and significance to both the planet and its citizenry.
Here is a world at the pinnacle of success, a storied utopia full of galactic-level achievements in science and culture. But it is all a façade. Krypton’s core rots away as do the hearts of some of its most important protagonists!
World of Krypton can be easily enjoyed as a sci-fi fantasy romp through an alien world full of wonderous knowledge and sights. But the series can also be taken as an allegory for our current times where factions look to shun science and rule of law under the auspices of a historic set of freedoms.
Here, you’ll discover new history and new characters while re-discovering heroes and villains you only thought you knew such as: Jor-El, the head of Krypton’s revered Science Council; General Dru-Zod, legendary leader of the planet’s military; and a young Kara Zor-El who will one day become the infamous Supergirl.
Make the run to your local comic book shop today and pick up World of Krypton #1 and re-discover the planet that the whole of the DC Universe is, in so many ways, built upon.
