Writer Robert Venditti (Hawkman, The Surrogates) and artist Michael Avon Oeming (Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye, Powers) come together to revisit events on a long-destroyed planet in World Of Krypton #1. With colors by Nick Filardi and letters from Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, this opening issue reintroduces the iconic DC setting with settings and characters new and old and in a light we haven’t quite seen them in before. With a perfectly paced and sharply written script, as well as wholly unique visuals, this mini-series is off to a stellar start.
“Krypton is a utopia admired across the universe for its achievements in science and culture, but its shining towers and regal people conceal a planet rotting at its core. When a catastrophic event befalls Krypton’s natural world, it points toward a mass extinction in the making. Jor-El, head of Krypton’s revered Science Council, embarks on a mission to save a world that may already have passed the point of no return.”
Writing & Plot
Robert Venditti writes a tight and very compelling script for World Of Krypton #1. The characterizations, plot unraveling, and dialogue are all so stellar that they make one of the oldest stories in comics fresh for a new audience. Witnessing the beginning of the end for Superman’s home planet from the eyes of its inhabitants has scarcely been more engaging. Venditti wraps several interesting plot threads together. A xenobiological tragedy falls in the background of an important naming ceremony for a new family member of the El’s (who I can’t say). This then gets tied up in Kryptonian political and ideological conflicts and a Shakespearean betrayal that came even as a surprise to me.
Venditti goes about recanting Jor-El’s discovery of the oncoming destruction of Krypton by prioritizing worldbuilding and characterization. Longtime readers of DC comics, especially Superman-centric ones, will no doubt be familiar with Kryptonian customs. However, seeing them in practice in a modern style like Venditti writes makes the old feel new again. His dialogue writing here is fantastic as well. His naturalistic tone makes every scene compelling. Venditti also gives each character a unique voice makes each interaction memorable and stick out on its own. Making the old feel fresh and new is what this script needed to accomplish, and it has done so in spades.
Art Direction
When I saw Michael Avon Oeming’s name attached to World Of Krypton #1, I was both excited and a bit nervous. On the one hand, I adore Oeming’s work. His interiors on comics like the Young Animal Cave Carson series is delightful and brilliantly unique. On the other hand, that uniqueness to his style doesn’t always lend itself to certain comics – especially mainstream ones. Fortunately, Krypton really benefits from Oeming’s singular vision and artistic touch. His heavily inked and distinctly alien designs for the Kryptonian setting paints the long-destroyed world in a previously unseen light. The xeno-affluence in the house of El’s architecture and décor is a perfect atmospheric touch. This comic’s setting mostly being a cocktail party on another world is a great opportunity for Oeming to put his own spin on Kryptonian fashion and design.
Oeming’s character animations and style are great at portraying emotion and personality. His pencils may not be to everyone’s tastes, but it works tremendously well for this comic. Oeming’s work is colored by Nick Filardi, who delivers rich and off-kilter tones to every surface. His use of deep colors, especially the rich purples and golds in the party scene, perfectly compliment the alien setting. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou’s lettering perfectly captures the dialogue tones and matches Oeming’s artistic sensibilities. Overall this is a fantastic looking comic.
Verdict
World Of Krypton #1 is a fascinating opening chapter to this reimagining of the beginning of the end for the doomed planet. Robert Venditti’s script is smart, tense, and full of fantastic dialogue. The visuals from Michael Avon Oeming and Nick Filardi bring Krypton to life in a style we’ve never gotten to see before, and it works brilliantly. Be sure to grab the beginning of this new mini-series when it hits shelves on 12/7!
