By: Kevin J. Anderson Publisher: HarperEntertainment Average Rating: Binding: Hardcover Label: HarperEntertainment Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 432 Publication Date: November 01, 2007 Release Date: October 23, 2007
Everyone knows how Kal-El—Superman—was sent to Earth just before his planet exploded. But what led to such a disaster? Now, in The Last Days of Krypton, Kevin J. Anderson presents a sweeping tale of the pomp and grandeur, the intrigue and passion, and the politics and betrayals of a doomed world filled with brave heroes and cruel traitors.
Against the spectacular backdrop of Krypton's waning halcyon days, there is the courtship and marriage of Kal-El's parents, the brilliant scientist Jor-El and his historian wife, Lara. Together they fight to convince a stagnant, disbelieving society that their world is about to end. Jor-El's brother, Zor-El, leader of the fabled Argo City, joins the struggle not only to save the planet but also to fight against the menace of the ruthless and cunning General Zod.
The diabolical Zod, future archenemy of Superman, avails himself of a golden opportunity to seize power when the android Brainiac captures the capital city of Kandor. As Zod's grip on the populace tightens and his power grows, he too is blind to all the signs that point to the death of the very civilization he is trying to rule.
Through all of this, Jor-El and Lara's love for each other, their history, and their son allows for Krypton to live on even as the planet is torn apart around them. For in the escape of their baby lies Krypton's greatest gift—and Earth's greatest hero.
The Last Days of Krypton is a timeless, ground-breaking exploration of a world that has never been fully defined, and reveals the extraordinary origins of a legend that has never ceased to amaze and astound generation after generation.
More than an origin, a masterwork of Sci-Fi If you're interested in this book, you're probably either a Superman fan or a fan of Kevin J. Anderson. If so, you're going to love this book. However, even if you're just a fan of good old fashioned science fiction, you should buy this book. I will tell you why you should buy this book for those reasons, or even more.
Firstly, for Superman fans, this book is a gold mine. Yes, it's true that Kal-El doesn't show up until the last few pages (and he's a newborn infant), but so many other characters, essential to Superman's back story. Of course, Superman's parents, Lara and Jor-El are here, and their history is richly explored. They become more than holographic images, they become people. Zod has always been a great villain, but he becomes a fascinating character here. J'onn J'onzz and Brainiac make appearances.
For Kevin J Anderson fans, this book is also great. It has Anderson's usual grand scope. He can really bring world's to life (and then destroy them). I enjoy Anderson because he is an archeologist of worlds the rest of us can't see, and he can find a way to show us every detail of those worlds... to make them real to the rest of us. You have to love his work for that.
But if you're a fan of plain, old fashioned science fiction, you'll also love this book. It's about a world we'll never be to, in the far reaches of space, trying to navigate its way through alien attacks, insane despots, and one disaster after another. Through it all, the characters remain resolute in finding the best solution... even to the very end.
After reading this book, I can't think of a single reason that you wouldn't want to get it and give it a read. It's just a plain good read.
Highest Recommendations.
Probably best left for true Superman fans only After a terrible war fueled by alien weapons, the planet Krypton adopted a strict policy of separation, and developed a consensus-style government whose primary criteria was to ensure that destructive technology was never again unleashed. The ban on technology was a source of frustration for scientist and inventor Jor-El, and a source of power for Dru-Zod--the commissioner charged with determining whether new technology could safely be introduced.
Unfortunately, Krypton is beset with a number of destructive forces. Overhead, Krypton's star is in its final stage, a red giant. Deep inside the planet, destructive pressure has built up, and threatens to errupt with destructive consequences. Mysterious comets loom overhead, threatening to smash Krypton's surface, and aliens have finally rediscovered Krypton. For now, they're simply promising protection of Krypton rejoins the stars--but their power makes them dangerous.
While Jar-El is falling in love with the beautiful Lara, the capital city of Krypton is 'collected,' creating a power vacuum that Zod intends to fill. Zod does his best to pre-empt Jor-El, but he grows increasingly insane with his desire for power. Still, he does get things done--and with all of the destructive forces bearing down on Krypton, isn't it better to do something than to do nothing and simply wait for destruction?
Author Kevin J. Anderson creates an interesting view of the world from which Superman was launched. The central character in this story, Zod, is complex and sometimes sympathetic. While his motivations are selfish and his power-obsession odious, he still manages to get things done--including giving Jor-El the authority to tap the pressure building up in the center of the planet, temporarily saving it. Sadly, from a story perspective, Anderson doesn't quite set Zod up as the flawed and tragic figure he could be. Instead, we get a fairly bland romance between Lara and Jar-El.
The story of Krypton has been told many times and Anderson had a huge number of factoids he needed to work into his story (how did the planet implode, how did Jor-El end up with a workable space ship, where did the shrunken city come from, etc.). The result may please fans of the Superman series but, as a novel, the story didn't deliver as much as I'd hoped. THE LAST DAYS OF KRYPTON isn't bad, but it's not especially memorable, either.
Entertaining For Superman Fans With 'The Last Days of Krypton' Kevin Anderson takes a look at what happened BEFORE Superman came to Earth and his destiny was decided for him. The book is set to life on Krypton and discusses Supermans family and world that used to be. The book is entertaining but a little different from what we are used to from the Christopher Reeve Superman movies (retcon?). Jor-El isn't the powerful presence that Marlon Brandon makes him out to be and is portrayed to be a weaker version of what we expect. A LOT of time is spent focusing on Zod and his role in the days of Krypton. The book is good but it could be better.
Overall a good effort and entertaining read that Superman fans should pick up.
****
Perfect predecessor to the legendary tale of Superman Before Superman, there was Smallville...and before Smallville, there was Krypton. While the CW Network has the first precursor covered, Kevin J. Anderson has taken on the task of the second - and has done an excellent job.
Anderson's story follows the father of future Earth dweller Clark Kent (Kryptonian name Kal-El) as he seeks to improve and secure the stability of Krypton and its many cities with his undeniable scientific acumen and clever inventions, most all of which keep getting confiscated and destroyed by the Kryptonian Council and its commissioner, Zod. (Sound familiar, Smallvillians?) But when an friendly alien visitor sends the population into a tizzy - oh, and the city of Kandor gets scooped up and taken away by yet another slightly-more-unwelcome alien visitor - Zod seizes the reigns of power and begins his quest for Kryptonian domination. And while Zod erects statues of himself and basically strokes his ego, Kal-El daddy Jor-El spots an historic meteor that is more likely headed in Krypton's direction, resulting in total chaos and planetary destruction and considerably less time for Zod to brag about his so-called "good intentions".
Confusing? Oh, yeah. But it is equally enthralling, especially when you incorporate the mess of personalities present in the story, like future Zod wife Aethyr and his faithful, silent golem Nam-Ek. The detail is masterful, leaving questions up in the air that the popular television show may consider addressing before series' end. (What was up with Donodon's tentacle beard? And was Zod really that stuck on himself?) It all adds up to an action-packed, fly-by-the-seat-of-your-laser-beams story that'll whet the appetite of any and all sci-fi lovers.
very interesting It was really interesting to finally get a linear history of the house of El. Well written. It was fun to see everything come into play that eventually created superman.
Anything Goes Trivia
Last Kiss
Megaton Man
Trevor
