REVIEW: ‘Kneel Before Zod’ Issue #3

Kneel Before Zod #3 is published by DC Comics, written by Joe Casey, art by Dan McDaid, colors by David Baron, and letters by Troy Peteri. General Zod and Ursa must defend their planet against an onslaught of enemies.

This issue had its intensity built up in the pages of the previous issue. The invasion is now here, and General Zod and Ursa’s strategies are pushed to the test. The comic is a battle from start to finish, with both Zods on opposite sides of the world. For the first stage of Kneel Before Zod #3, the power of the Kryptonians makes it easy, and the destruction on display is delectable. They have never really been tested in this whole series by outside forces. But the enemies have a tactic that flips the book on its head.

The structure is remarkable as it suddenly makes the unbreakable fragile. The pacing does not move at a breakneck speed, but it is relentless. The sci-fi elements have their restrictions lifted, and anything becomes possible in the book. The whole issue leads up to a genuinely shocking final page. The reveal adds something that tears up any expectations for this book.

The series continues its bizarre feature of emotionless characters. Zod and Ursa are warriors forged in war and are not known for love or sensitivity. That has added a cold tone to the issue. The enemies match that. This chapter has some terrific dialogue from the alien invaders. They are one-dimensional and evil, and it is fascinating to see what happens when they come up against foes that are the same.

What is notable about the Zods in this issue is their resilience. Their onslaught is unimaginable, yet their powers and training make it impossible for them to surrender. They both have their missions, and their fight in the last chapter has fragmented their relationship. But the isolation means that when things turn for the worst, no one can help them.

McDaid is the perfect artist for this hardcore comic. Every page contains an example of barbarism and cruelty. A cosmic battle of spaceships is just the start of unleashed carnage. That immense power of a Kryptonian is explosive and unrivaled. But when the tide turns, there is unbelievable brutality. The injuries sustained are nasty, and the scale of the destruction can make eyes roll back. The world was constructed to be used as a playground for slaughter. Zod’s outbursts of rage and mania are just as precise as Ursa’s calmness.

The colors are pivotal to the storytelling. As the book reaches its most dramatic point, the entire planet gets bathed in red. It’s an overpowering and unrelenting red that weighs heavily on the characters beneath it. The lettering is easy to read but is perhaps too small to match the voices of the giant figures.

Kneel Before Zod #3 is the turning point in the series. It has been a fascinating read so far and an interesting experiment. Having protagonists lacking emotions and sensitivity is a challenge Casey has accepted and accomplished. But the revelation in this issue will put that concept to the test and establish real consequences within the series. Alongside that is a battle of epic proportions that never leaves a moment to breathe. When a Kryptonian bleeds, alarm bells always ring.

Kneel Before Zod #3 is available where comics are sold.