Review: Superman World Of New Krypton #3

Superman: World of New Krypton #3 came out last week and was really a great read. Knowing that the New Krypton story needs to be wrapped up in 12 issues means that writers Greg Rucka and James Robinson need to keep a brisk pace.

While this issue focused mostly on the Labor Guild's hostage crisis, it also planted the seeds for a number of plot lines which are very intriguing.

Add to that the best art I have seen Pete Woods produce and you have a great chapter in this arc all the way around. Heck, even Supergirl had a big moment!

And while I usually shy away from variant covers, I couldn't help but grab this one drawn by Howard Chaykin. Chaykin is one my favorite creators.

The issue starts with the hostage situation about to explode. The Labor Guild rebels are ready to assasinate Alura and others at the art festival. And Commander Gor is ready to shoot some Labor Guild members unless the rebels stand down.

Outside the festival, Zod and Kal-El debate the best path. It is easy to see why these two are always at odds as their viewpoints differ so dramatically. Zod thinks Gor should execute his hostages.

Kal thinks diplomacy should be the answer.

Kal decides to take matters into his own hands. He uses the red solar energy rifle on himself (!!) thus stripping him of his powers for 30 minutes. In this way he can enter the hostage area unarmed and unpowered as an arbiter and not a potential threat.

I don't know if I care for these rifles. They are a cool idea but between the Gold K in Reactron and this weapon cache, there are now any number of ways a Kryptonian can be easily vanquished. I mean, wouldn't Luthor have developed red sun tech if it worked this well?

This act seems to impress Zod so much that he let's Kal-El try his methods first. But Zod also thinks that this method won't work. He even teases Kal by saying that Jor-El used the same methods of diplomacy and persuasion and we all know how that ended. That was a nice comeback by the General. Gor is told to hold his position. In the meantime, Kal whispers something into Kara's ear. She flies off.

I like how Superman tells Zod that the General would be happy if Kal got killed. Every scene between the two has some tension simmering just below the surface if not bubbling away.

Kal is able to make his way into the art festival and begins a dialogue with Tam-Or, the Labor Guild's leader.

Tam-Or expresses what I guessed all along. The Kryptonians don't need to eat or sleep. As a result, the Labor Guild has been working 24/7. With no time to rest or see their families, the Guild members felt they had no choice but to revolt.

Of course, the fact that neither food or sleep is needed has always made me wonder why terra-forming the planet is so crucial.

But Tam-Or also mentions something ominous. The Labor Guild members are getting sick. Something isn't right about that. They shouldn't be able to fall ill. I think this is just the beginning of a very important plot thread.

Tam-Or then asks for the ultimate concession. He wants the Labor Guild to have a seat and representation in the Council being formed. It is a bold request initially thrown out by Alura from a historical perspective.

I love this exchange. When Alura says the guild have never had a seat on Krypton, Kal retorts that they aren't on Krypton. They are on 'New Krypton'.

I love the semi-annoyed look on Alura's face. She has no come back at all. None. It is a great moment when Kal's faith in fair play simply cuts through Alura's prejudice. Alura tells Tam-Or that she will provide the Labor Guild with rest and medical attention. As for the council seat, if the rebels free everyone and face the consequences of this act, she will consider it. Tamor agrees (he had said earlier he thought they all would be killed) and the standoff ends.

It is a victory for Kal on all levels.

Commander Gor on the other hand does not like how this ended. As the rebels exit the building, Gor depowers Tamor and fires at him.

It is a cowardly and incendiary act.

Luckily the bullet never reaches the target. Supergirl has been nearby all along (makes me think nothing would have ever happened to a depowered Kal) maybe as Superman's secret weapon and catches the bullet out of mid-air.

I love this panel by Pete Woods. There is such a contrast between the happy and self-assured Supergirl and the angry and frustrated Gor.

And then Kal telling Supergirl how much she has grown and how New Krypton is treating her well.

While I like the sentiment of the scene, it feels a little disjointed from the Supergirl we read about in her own title. Here she seems happy to be near Alura and away from Earth. In her title, Supergirl dislikes Alura to the point she wishes she were dead. It didn't distract too much from the story or scene. I just hope the characterization of Kara gets a smidge more in synch.

I don't think Gor is the only one unhappy.

Zod seems pretty displeased too ... especially when he hears Kal talking to Alura. Kal tells Alura that 'Zod's ways aren't the only ways'. Remember, Zod has just been released from the Phantom Zone and given control of the Kryptonian militia. I don't think he will be happy with anyone trying to undermine his authority or end his favor with Alura.

It is only a matter of time before Zod and Kal face off.

Gor isn't done though. He goes to the Red Shard barracks and starts a brawl with Kal-El. Zod also arrives and invokes some Kryptonian duel code of conduct and the two begin to fight again.

At first it seems Gor has the upper hand as he thrashes Kal for a couple of pages. In the end it turns out Kal was playing possum, getting a measure of Gor's ability. Kal claims to have been taught hand-to-hand by the greatest proponent on Earth ... I assume Batman.

Kal then simply puts a whuppin' onto Gor, beating him senseless.

The issue ends with another great cliffhanger ... the Green Lantern Corps has arrived!

While this issue consisted of basically 2 scenes, I really felt it moved the story along a great deal. The Labor Guild's concerns are now known. Alura has seen the utility of diplomacy and justice. Kara saves the day! And the fuse heading to the Kal/Zod powder keg is that much shorter. The dialogue could have been cliched but instead came off natural and unforced. And Woods' stuff was beautiful.

The thing that is sticking with me the most is the illness going through the Labor Guild. Hmm.....

Overall grade: A