Review by Karl Verhoven

New Krypton spins out of events in Superman: Brainiac in which there was a sudden influx of Kryptonians to Earth, temporarily housed in Superman’s Arctic Fortress of Solitude. Their story eventually occupies four volumes.

It begins, though, with Jimmy Olsen, who in The Coming of Atlas noticed someone observing the action, and when his personal life starts falling to pieces he decides to investigate. Via writer James Robinson, subterfuge, secrecy and covert operations are introduced to Superman’s world, as Robinson sets about reconfiguring some truths of earlier Superman material.

Truth be told, while we’re getting a thorough immersion in Superman’s world there’s not much of Superman himself. Olsen is followed with a look at the Guardian broadening a conspiracy before we arrive at the funeral of Jonathan Kent, again following up on the events of Brainiac.

Before New Krypton Volume One is finished we know who the mystery military figure planning on taking down Superman is, and we know 100,000 Kryptonians have been introduced to the world. “Twenty seven of your race almost destroyed Metropolis not long ago”, one of Superman’s allies notes, “so imagine what a hundred thousand could do”. Superman won’t have it, making the distinction between escaped villains consigned to the Phantom Zone and an entire city rescued from Brainiac, but how can he be sure they’re all well intentioned. If they’re not, he’s no longer unique either.

Primary writers Geoff Johns and Robinson pull some bold strokes, and they’re accompanied by artists able to deliver. Pete Woods and Renato Guedes supply the sample art, but Gary Frank and Pere Pérez are equally good. They all give weight to the idea of masses of Kryptonians on Earth, while it’s rapidly established that not all Kryptonians are of one mind in using their new powers under a red sun to help out. And that’s even before a major threat drops.

There’s a freshness about the concept and the writers adeptly show Superman and Supergirl’s delight at their people being saved while also ensuring readers are more cautious about welcoming them. There’s going to be trouble ahead, and it kicks off in Volume Two.