Kneel Before Zod #1 Review

Written by: Joe Casey
Art by: Dan McDaid
Colors by: David Baron
Letters by: Troy Peteri
Cover art by: Jason Shawn Alexander
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: January 2, 2024

Kneel Before Zod #1 regales readers with the trials of the House of Zod's last surviving member as he tries to build a new life on New Kandor.
Is Kneel Before Zod #1 Good?

Kneel Before Zod #1 is fine. There's nothing technically wrong with Joe Casey's inaugural issue, but there's nothing in this issue which will blow you away either. Kneel Before Zod #1 is a perfectly serviceable setup for a 12-part maxi-series.

   

Casey's script centers on General Zod, Ursa, and Lor building a life for themselves on New Kandor under the annoyingly watchful eye of the United Federation of Planets. Ursa experiments on the native people with genetic experiments intended to breed the people into a worthy army. Lor's impetuous temper gets him banished from the planets as a right of passage for the House of Zod (i.e. "go and prove yourself worthy"). And Zod repels a small Khund invasion force who believes the world is defenseless and easy pickings.

Kneel Before Zod - DC Comics Song Parody

And that's it. The issue reads like a Kryptonian version of an Old West novel about settlers staking their claim in untamed wilderness. That's not right or wrong, except for one flaw (more on that in a minute), but it should give you an idea of what you're in for

What's great about Kneel Before Zod #1? Joe Casey delivers a rock-solid setup issue. You understand all the players, their motivations, and their personalities.

Watch our Kneel Before Zod #1 Video Review

What's not so great about Kneel Before Zod #1? Joe Casey breaks the one rule that the Big 2 chronically break these days - there's no hook. You get all the setup, the character work is clear, and all the writing technicalities (pacing, dialog, etc.) are solid, but Casey doesn't do anything to grab you to say, "You MUST read this series because THIS important thing is happening!" All setup and no hook make for a mildly curious comic and not much else.

   

How's the art? Likewise, the art is just okay. Dan McDaid's art style is perfectly serviceable, but it won't blow you away.


About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Bits and Pieces:

Kneel Before Zod #1 is a perfectly fine setup for a Zod-Centric maxi-series. The pacing, action, dialog, and art are all solid. That said, there's no hook or compelling reason to get invested in the story, so this first issue falls into the "take it or leave it" bucket.

7/10