Warning: Spoilers forAction Comics #1070!DC has introduced plenty of alien species over the years, and while some (likeSupermanhimself) closely resemble human beings, that isn’t the case for every creature in the universe. During Kal-El’s visit to the Phantom Zone, he locates perhaps the most extraterrestrial being of all: an unnamed species of massive arachnids. With a baffling internal structure and powers that put the Kryptonian at a disadvantage, Superman’s discovery isn’t great news.
InAction Comics#1071 by Mark Waid, Clayton Henry, Michael Shelfer, Matt Herms, and Dave Sharpe,Superman continues his investigationof the Phantom Zone after several recent alarming changes. While traveling with a group of the Zone’s prisoners,he encounters one of the most startling changes of all: a species of giant spidersthat tower over Clark Kent and his charges.
Understandably, he expects to handle the fight as he always does - with a well-placed, strong punch. Not only does he fail spectacularly, but further examination reveals that the unnamed arachnids have a bizarre internal structure to go along with their size and physical power, making themthe strangest species he’s encountered.
Superman Struggles to Understand and Defeat a New Race of Alien Spiders
Their Presence in the Phantom Zone is a Concerning Development
The existence of an unknown alien species is no surprise, given that no one can possibly know everything out in the massive universe, but this unnamed group of arachnids goes far enough beyond regular standards thatKal-El declares them “the most alien life” he’s ever encountered.
Kal-El’s encounter with the huge arachnids is short-lived, though memorable.
Superman’s X-Ray visionreveals a seemingly inorganic internal structure that he likens to an exploded geometry textbook, andtheir venom and web generation are both powerful enough to affect a Kryptonian. Their strange insides could hint that they were created, rather than naturally occurring, but Clark has little opportunity to learn more about them.
Superman Still Has to Struggle Through the Phantom Zone, the Most Dangerous Place in the DCU
Spiders Are the Least of the Zone’s Surprises
Superman is accustomedto fighting unexpected foes, but the existence of massive spiders in the Phantom Zone doesn’t bode well, and he is ill-prepared for their abilities. The House of El has used the Zone to house the ethereal forms of incredibly dangerous prisoners for generations. Not only have these prisoners retaken physical form, but the presence of new beings speaks to how vastly different and unpredictable the Zone is becoming. It’s filled with criminals who loathe Kal-El and his family for their imprisonment. Now, the Phantom Zone ishousing unknown super-sized aliens capable of blinding and binding Superman, too.
After 63 Years, A Major Superman Lore Change Threatens His ‘Perfect’ Image
Superman faces a moral dilemma as a dark twist to Krypton’s terrifying Phantom Zone reveals itself, calling his heroic reputation into question.
Kal-El’s encounter with the huge arachnids is short-lived, though memorable. It isn’t known if they’re native to the Zone or if they arrived there some other way, and both answers come with a host of implications. The Zone is already the most dangerous place for Superman to be, and the spiders are just the tip of a terrible, long-forming iceberg. They may be the most alien beings he knows, but even with their incredibly effective venom and webbing, they’re certainly not the most dangerous.Superman’sdiscovery of new alien spiders speaks to the instability and ever-increasing danger of the Phantom Zone.
Action Comics#1071is available now from DC Comics.
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
