Posted in: Comics, Comics Publishers, Current News, DC Comics, Justice League, Superman | Tagged: mark waid, phantom zone

Superman, The Justice League Watchtower & The Phantom Zone (Spoilers)

Superman, The Justice League Watchtower, The Question and The Phantom Zone problem being posed by DC Comics (Spoilers)

Today sees the publication of the first issue of The Question: All Along The Watchtower #1 and Action Comics #1076. The former of which sees Renee Montaya giving us a tour of the Watchtower, including some rather worrying policies regarding smoking on an orbiting space station filled with oxygen tanks. Come on, John, can't you at least vape on the station?

While Action Comics #1076 sees Superman cast back in time to when Krypton was a thing and the Phantom Zone Projector was brand new.

This is part of a plot line that began with Superman thinking long and hard about the history of the Phantom Zone projector as a punishment device, as invented on Krypton by his father, Jor-El.

And clearly something that Mark Waid has been thinking about for a while as well, especially considering his enforced absence from writing the Superman comic books.

As well as the human – or Kryptonian – rights issues such a form of imprisonment would entail.

And how that would impact on the legacy of his father.

Well, the current plotline saw Superman using the Phantom Zone to return to the place and time when the Projector was first triggered, on Krypton, before the explosion. And how the device was planned as a way for Kryptonians to avoid their fate…

… but was then stolen and repurposed to be used on prisoners…

… and all against Kal-El's wishes.

So when Superman does get back home, maybe he will make some changes regarding his own use of the Phantom Zone Projector, even as he is helping out the Justice League with their new Watchtower satellite home base, looking done upon the Earth and the eight billion people upon it.

And recruiting Renee Montoya, former Gotham Police Commissioner, current vigilante, The Question, to help keep the superheroes accountable and to prevent outside incursion. And carrying a big gun with her.

Not that it is there to kill people, it will capture folk. And where will it take them?

Seriously, Superman, have you signed off on all this? Even after your trip to Krypton? A Phantom Zone gun and holding pen for the Watchtower? I wonder if Action Comics writer Mark Waid will reference this in an uncritical fashion on his Justice League Unlimited #1 next week?

Well, it's certainly in the schematics. I wonder if Superman is going to have to have a conversation with himself over this one?

ACTION COMICS #1076 CVR A CLAYTON HENRY
(W) Mark Waid, Mariko Tamaki (A) Clayton Henry, Michael Shelfer, Meghan Hetrick (CA) Clayton Henry
ESCAPE FROM KRYPTON! Superman has uncovered the secrets of the Phantom Zone from the clutches of his own father, Jor-El…but now the real challenge begins: returning home in one piece! It's a daring dash for destiny in the latest installment of the Action Comics weekly! Plus, Supergirl discovers the crime that started it all! Retail: $4.99 In-Store Date: 11/20/2024

QUESTION ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER #1 (OF 6) CVR A CIAN TORMEY
(W) Alex Segura (A/CA) Cian Tormey
WHO WATCHES THE WATCHTOWER? In the wake of Absolute Power, the Justice League Unlimited has created a haven for all heroes–but can they keep it secure? Enter Renee Montoya, reeling from an abrupt end to her time in Gotham and looking for a place to hang her hat. But the Trinity didn't bring her up to the Watchtower to relax–there's a dark threat bubbling underneath the surface, and only the Question and her ad hoc support team stand a chance of figuring out who the problem is before it's too late. Retail: $3.99 In-Store Date: 11/20/2024

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #1 CVR A DAN MORA
(W) Mark Waid (A/CA) Dan Mora
THE WATCHTOWER RISES! The Justice League is back and bigger than ever! In the wake of Absolute Power and the DC All In Special, Darkseid's death has triggered a massive power vacuum in the DCU, and Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman must unite like never before and expand the Justice League to encompass every hero championing the forces of good in the face of incredible evil! As our heroes work to uncover the mystery of the dark lord's successor, Ray Palmer's Atom Project triggers a race between hero and villain to control the fate of metahuman abilities on planet Earth, which threatens to destroy everything the League has built. Worlds will live, worlds will die, and a surprise is waiting in store on the last page…Do not miss the dawn of the new era of justice–it all begins here! Retail: $3.99 In-Store Date: 11/27/2024

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