Since the "Kingdom of Zod" storyline kicked off, Superman and his allies have found themselves facing an unprecedented biological weapon: a new form of Kryptonite that bonds with and infects human tissue. This dangerous variant emerged following General Zod's disruption of the Kingdom of El Caldero, rapidly becoming a global threat to both Kryptonians and non-Kryptonian heroes alike.
Understanding the Kryptonite Plague
In Supergirl #17, the brilliant mind of Steel (John Henry Irons) delved into the specifics of this terrifying new disease. He explained that this isn't a fundamentally different type of Kryptonite, but rather a molecular variation of the familiar Green K. This subtle change allows it to fuse with human cells and organic matter, mimicking a prion disease. Essentially, the radioactive mineral bonds with human proteins, leading to a loss of bodily control, aggressive behavior, and what appears to be severe brain damage. Action Comics #1102 further elaborated on its effects, describing the infected as zombie-like, though without the typical brain-craving trope, and retaining only average human strength.
Unlike other "zombie-esque" threats seen in DC, such as Absolute Batman's encounter with Poison Ivy, those afflicted by the Kryptonite plague are utterly beyond control, blindly rushing into danger. This global infection, with no apparent immunity, presents a dire cautionary tale for the DC Universe and a significant addition to the ever-growing list of Kryptonite variants. Despite the combined efforts of John Henry Irons, his daughter Natasha, Tomorrow Man, and even Lana Lang attempting to absorb the infection, the situation appears to be worsening.
The Escalating Chaos of Kingdom of Zod
The "Kingdom of Zod" saga continues to unfold with increasing despair. Lana Lang's attempt to absorb Clark Kent's infection was abruptly halted by the El Caldero Krypto-Knights, leading to her imprisonment alongside Mary Marvel and Martian Manhunter. Meanwhile, Supergirl and Superboy's mission to retrieve Ursa from Krypton's past took a disastrous turn. Ursa's desperate plea to Zor-El inadvertently altered the planet's fate, leading to a critically injured Zor-El and the eventual capture of Supergirl and Superboy by a younger, past version of Zod.
The upcoming Superman Unlimited #17, set to release next week on September 16, promises to continue this escalating narrative. As a younger Zod seeks to gain control, he leverages Ursa for information about the future and holds Supergirl and Superboy as high-value hostages. What began as an older, vengeful Zod's takeover of a Kryptonite-based kingdom has now unleashed dangerous consequences across both past and present timelines. The most devastating fallout, however, remains this insidious new form of Kryptonite, from which no one—not even Superman—is truly safe.
Catch the next installment of "Kingdom of Zod Part 7" in Superman Unlimited #17, available digitally and at comic retailers on Wednesday, September 16, 2026.