Kneel Before Zod #8 (of 8)
(W) Joe Casey (A) Dan McDaid
In Shops: Aug 07, 2024
SRP: $3.99
THREE SIMPLE WORDS: ZOD VERSUS SINESTRO! The sins of the fathers burn like a cosmic wildfire in both of their hearts! Only against each other does that rage find full expression–but will they destroy the universe before they can destroy each other?
Kneel Before Zod #7 (of 12)
(W) Joe Casey (A) Dan McDaid
In Shops: Jul 02, 2024
SRP: $3.99
ZOD’S ROAD TO VENGEANCE CONTINUES! As General Zod finally takes full command of his alien legion of super-villains, the Emerald Empress strikes! If Zod can withstand her insidious attack, the cosmic secret of the Eye will finally be revealed! The road to Zod’s ultimate vengeance continues!
Kneel Before Zod #6 (of 12)
(W) Joe Casey (A) Dan McDaid
In Shops: Jun 04, 2024
SRP: $3.99
DC’s DARKEST COSMIC DRAMA CONTINUES! General Zod has a new army to command! But as his own soldiers plot a bloody mutiny, a mysterious and murderous force is let loose aboard their vessel–the Emerald Eye of Ekron! But where is its master?
Kneel Before Zod #5 (of 12)
(W) Joe Casey (A) Dan McDaid
In Shops: May 07, 2024
SRP: $3.99
In the aftermath of war, General Zod hurtles closer to his dark fate! On the verge of losing everything–including his own life–a desperate and deranged Zod is faced with an all-new challenge…introducing–the Legion of Zod!
Kneel Before Zod #4 (of 12)
(W) Joe Casey (A) Dan McDaid
In Shops: Apr 02, 2024
SRP: $3.99
THE AFTERMATH OF WAR! The brutal invasion of New Kandor has cost its supreme ruler everything he holds dear! But there will be a reckoning–and General Zod will not rest until he has enacted his bloody revenge! Let the universe tremble as Casey and McDaid deliver the newest chapter of DC’s darkest cosmic odyssey.
Kneel Before Zod #3 (of 12)
(W) Joe Casey (A) Dan McDaid
In Shops: Mar 05, 2024
SRP: $3.99
KNEEL BEFORE…URSA! Palace intrigue infects the House of Zod as war comes to New Kandor! What kind of chaos is wrought when alien invaders unleash their secret failsafe weapon? Who will survive? Who will die? You can’t afford to miss this major turning point in the cataclysmic cosmic saga of Zod!
Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.
These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.
Logan
ThunderCats #1 (Dynamite) – Drew Moss‘ art has some of the Saturday morning cartoon dynamism especially in the fight sequences, but Declan Shalvey‘s script and characterization has the feel of action figures in the toy box getting slung around. This comic doesn’t transcend its 80s toy commercial roots and is filled with cliches, one note villains, and the laziest of cliffhangers. Overall: 5.0 Verdict: Pass
Kneel Before Zod #2 (DC Comics) – After the imperialistic fervor of the opening installment, Kneel Before Zod #2 feels like one of those Game of Thrones episodes where old guys stand around and move pieces on the board. However, Ursa gets some strong character development punctuated by a double page spread of a backhand slap from Dan McDaid. In the second half of the comic, she’s Lady MacBeth in Kryptonian garb, and the conflict between her and Zod is immensely more interesting than the upcoming war between the Khunds and New Kandorian. Joe Casey writes her in a fierce, biting manner while let the plot wheels spin a little bit, and a potential key supporting character is sent off to another title. There’s less realpolitik and more mustache swirling in Kneel Before Zod #2, but Zod still comes across as Dick Cheney with superpowers, especially in the opening torture scene. I still love how McDaid draws technology and fight scenes, but this issue definitely is a slight dip in quality while still having potential for something engaging. Overall: 6.9 Verdict: Read (I purchased a copy)
Brett
Wolverine: Madripoor Knights #1 (Marvel) – Chris Claremont returns to Wolverine with this retro tale that has the mutant killing machine teaming up with some other heroes in Madripoor. The comic has a bit of a throwback feel to it and there’s more than enough references to other events as to when this takes place to put it in continuity but unless you’re really nostalgic, the comic is amusing but not really engaging. Overall: 7.0 Verdict: Read
Pine and Merrimac #2 (BOOM! Studios) – The dynamic between the two leads is what really makes this series entertaining as they explore the mysterious island where there’s clearly illegal things going on. It’s all a little over the top in events, but that’s the type of story this is. Teasing of political corruption, secret cults, lots of guns, this is popcorn action, just enjoy the ride. Overall: 7.5 Verdict: Read
Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees #3 (IDW Publishing) – With paranoia and fear gripping the town, Sam has ideas as to who the serial killer is and begins the investigation. It leads down a rabbit hole that’s… really weird and very sad. Also, anyone else noticing these animals are eating other animals? What’s up with that!? If you’re into stories like Silence of the Lambs, don’t miss this! Overall: 8.25 Verdict: Buy
Kneel Before Zod #2 (DC Comics) – I have to agree with Logan above. The issue is a step back and leans heavy into the drama between Zod and Ursa, showing maybe Ursa is the more brutal of the two? It has potential but we’ll have to wait and see if that pans out. Overall: 6.95 Verdict: Read
Kneel Before Zod #2 (of 12)
(W) Joe Casey (A) Dan McDaid
In Shops: Feb 06, 2024
SRP: $3.99
The cosmic tragedy of the House of Zod continues, as New Kandor’s first nuclear family truly goes nuclear! With his newly christened homeworld a prime target for alien invasion, General Zod is forced to mine the darkest depths of his own soul in order to defend it. It’s madness and mayhem on a galactic scale brought to you by the star-crossed team of Casey and McDaid!
The weekend is almost here! What geeky things are you all doing? Sound off in the comments below! While you think about that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
Book Riot – Kitchen Warriors; or, Which Superheroes Are Most Likely to Help with the Dishes – Matter Eater Lad… he eats matter, so can easily take care of the dishes by eating everything.
Reviews
The Beat – Arcade Kings Vol. 1
The Beat – Get Schooled Vol. 1
CBR – Kneel Before Zod #1
CBR – Pine and Merrimac #1
Sometimes, the staff at Graphic Policy read more comics than we’re able to get reviewed. When that happens you’ll see a weekly feature compiling reviews of the comics, or graphic novels, we just didn’t get a chance to write a full one for.
These are Graphic Policy’s Mini Reviews and Recommendations.
Logan
Giant Robot Hellboy #3 (Dark Horse) – Continuing from the previous issue’s cliffhanger where the giant robot is still working yet disconnected from Hellboy, Mike Mignola, Duncan Fegredo, and Dave Stewart break out the fireworks for Giant Hellboy #3. There’s plenty of robot punching giant mutated creatures on an island that’s about to explode, but lots of questions left answered like the beings on the screen when Hellboy is disconnected and the miniseries’ protagonist Jian’s whole deal. Nonetheless, Giant Robot Hellboy has high energy visuals, and the whole comic plays like a classic kaiju film, including its anti-atomic/radiation themes. It’s not required reading, but a perfect chaser after watching Godzilla Minus One or Monarch during these long, bleak nights. Overall: 7.9 Verdict: Buy
Kneel Before Zod #1 (DC Comics) – DC Comics starts off 2024 with a bang as Joe Casey, Dan McDaid, and David Baron turn in the first chapter of a solo series featuring one of Superman’s most fearsome foes. However, although there are carnage-filled spreads and fight scenes, Kneel Before Zod #1 is also about a fractured family and the establishment of a new planet/nation state in the DC Universe. Casey unabashedly portrays Zod as a fascist, but more understated and less aggressive until he has to cut loose in battle. There’s a lot of Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld in him, but he’s pure blitzkrieg while fighting. Also connected to Nazi eugenicism, he wants to make sure New Candor is populated with Kryptonians before making his move unlike his son Lor Zod, who is all fire and rage and gets exiled after he tries to hurt his father with his heat vision. McDaid excels at letting his pages breathe and inserting panels where key characters like Zod, Lor, and Zod’s wife Ursa show disappointment, sadness, and distance in between the political maneuvering and bloody action. All in all, Kneel before Zod has similar energy to Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca’s Darth Vader series (But with much better art), and the family tension and political intrigue make this a much more complex read than “I’m evil and kick ass” although there’s a lot of that too. Overall: 8.8 Verdict: Buy
