5 Best Versions of Krypton in DC Comics, Ranked

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For a long time, DC Comics fans simply knew Krypton as Superman’s exploded home planet. First appearing in Action Comics #1 alongside Superman himself, Krypton’s details have evolved over the years. Its location and appearance have changed in different stories, and it’s even been home to cities like Kandor – a key part of the Brainiac saga – and Argo City, featured in Supergirl’s adventures. With each new story, the history of Krypton gets subtly altered and expanded.

Let’s explore the five most memorable portrayals of Krypton in DC Comics, from Superman’s original birthplace to its recent reimagining in Absolute Superman.

5) Absolute Krypton from Absolute Superman

Absolute Superman is a fresh take on the Superman story, fitting into DC Comics’ plan to create a reimagined universe, much like Marvel’s Ultimate Universe. This new world, called Absolute, features updated origins and storylines for classic heroes like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, as well as supporting characters and even a revised history of Krypton.

Unlike the perfect world often shown in older Superman stories, Krypton wasn’t a society of equals. It was divided into strict social classes, and despite its advanced technology, it was filled with corruption. Ironically, it was the Kryptonians themselves who caused the planet’s destruction. This flawed version of Krypton feels more relevant to today’s world and adds a layer of depth to the story.

4) Argo City in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

Supergirl’s background differs significantly from Superman’s within the DC Universe, largely due to the events detailed in the comic series Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. This story centers on the gradual destruction of Argo City, her Kryptonian home. First appearing in Action Comics #252, the city was saved from total destruction by a protective dome created by Supergirl’s father, Zor-El.

When the planet Krypton was destroyed, the city of Argo City was spared and drifted through space for many years. Unfortunately, it was eventually struck by a meteor shower, and radiation began to leak into the city, slowly killing everyone. Zor-El managed to save his daughter by sending her to Earth. While the destruction of Krypton was a common story in DC Comics, the slow, tragic fate of Argo City and its people made Supergirl’s origins even more heartbreaking.

3) “For the Man who Has Everything” Krypton

Many fans consider the best Superman story involving Krypton to be in Superman Annual #11, titled “For the Man Who Has Everything.” The story begins with Wonder Woman, Batman, and Robin arriving at the Fortress of Solitude to celebrate Superman’s birthday, but they find him trapped in a dream created by Mongul. Written by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons, the story shows Superman living in a reality where Krypton never destroyed and he has a family.

Superman’s biological father wasn’t just alive – he’d built a new life and had a family. However, the Krypton he lived on wasn’t the perfect world of legend, but a society ruled by a strict military and social hierarchy. Watching Superman choose this imperfect reality over the idealized Krypton of his heritage was deeply moving, making this story one of the most emotionally resonant in Superman’s history.

2) Krypton in Superman: Birthright

The 12-issue comic series Superman: Birthright, created by Mark Waid and Leinil Francis Yu, offers a fresh take on Superman’s beginnings. The story focuses on Clark Kent, a journalist, as he explores his Kryptonian roots and how that shapes his beliefs. By portraying Superman as an immigrant, the series offers a new and compelling perspective on his origins, starting with the story of Krypton itself.

A key change in the Birthright storyline is that Jor-El hesitated to send Kal-El to Earth, fearing for his son’s safety – a departure from how Jor-El is usually portrayed. The series also reimagined Krypton’s location, placing it in the Andromeda Galaxy, 2.5 million light-years from our own Milky Way. Birthright established that the “S” on Superman’s chest represents “hope,” and it’s where the story of Brainiac stealing and miniaturizing the city of Kandor originated.

1) New Krypton

In 2008, Superman and Supergirl successfully rescued the city of Kandor from the villain Brainiac, bringing 100,000 Kryptonians to Earth and settling them near the Fortress of Solitude. However, neither the Kryptonians nor Earth’s inhabitants desired integration. Using technology taken from Brainiac, Kandor’s scientists lifted the city off the planet and relocated it to a hidden location on the far side of the solar system, placing it behind the sun and out of sight from Earth.

The city is home to many dangerous and spiteful individuals, but it also shelters several noble Kryptonians, including Supergirl, who prefers living on Kandar to Earth. The story was compelling because Lex Luthor and General Lane relentlessly pursued them even at such a distance, ultimately sparking a full-scale war after Luthor’s success and a subsequent attack led by General Zod.

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2025-12-24 01:12