DC Revives Kilg%re in Shocking Action Comics Twist

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Action Comics, a long-standing title from DC, plays a crucial role in the ongoing resurgence of Superman, following the popularity boom after “The Warworld Saga”. As part of the “Superman Superstars” publishing campaign, top creators are given the opportunity to craft exceptional Superman tales. In issue #1085 of Action Comics, G. Willow Wilson, known for her work on Ms. Marvel and Poison Ivy, partners with artist Gavin Guidry. The story finds Superman, disguised as Clark Kent, in Greenland, where he meets two scientists working to restore the arctic ice. During his visit, he uncovers sabotage to their work, prompting him to intervene and prevent any further damage. It isn’t until the end of the issue that we learn the culprit behind the disturbances – Kilg%re.

In the past, Superman has clashed with the enigmatic character known as Kilgore. Given his extensive history spanning nearly four decades, Kilgore has managed to surface in various places. It’s fascinating to delve into his background, which takes a winding, unconventional path leading to his portrayal as a villain in a Superman comic. Initially, it was unexpected for Kilgore to appear in Action Comics, and there are multiple explanations why he might be present now.

Kilg%re Didn’t Start Out as a Superman Villain

Originally introduced in “The Flash” Volume 2 Issue 3, back in 1987, the character known as Kilg%re hails from a world devoured by a destructive cosmic entity. Meta#sker confined Kilg%re to a state of vibrational stasis, seeking technology to gain dominion. Inadvertently released by Wally West while he was the Flash, Kilg%re made its way to STAR Labs and manipulated machinery to construct its own form. Humans became its targets as it sought to assimilate more technology, prompting the Flash to intervene. Despite being defeated, Kilg%re’s consciousness persisted. Maxwell Lord later discovered Kilg%re and they collaborated, with Kilg%re playing a pivotal role behind the scenes in the Justice League International. Kilg%re drove Lord towards greater achievements, all in pursuit of controlling more advanced technology. During the “Millennium” event, Lord would uncover the extent of Kilg%re’s influence over his life, ultimately destroying its physical form and a significant portion of its computational power. Although Kilg%re survived, it never again assumed a prominent position.

In the 2016 series of Cyborg, Kilowog (let’s use this name for easier reading) reappeared in a significant role, resorting to his traditional tactic of attempting to seize control of advanced technology. Kilowog has always been an ideal nemesis for Cyborg due to the sophisticated Apokoliptian tech embedded in him. Yet, Kilowog never managed to attain the level of power he held while collaborating with Maxwell Lord, engaging in battles against various Justice League members as a henchman for several villains over the years.

It’s somewhat surprising to find Kilowog appearing in Action Comics currently, given that it usually follows a different narrative pattern. Although there are scientists working with cutting-edge technology at the Greenland base, it doesn’t seem like something Kilowog would be interested in pursuing. However, the conclusion of the story provides some explanation for his presence – Superman himself.

While scientists are working on new tech at the Greenland base, it doesn’t quite align with what Kilowog typically targets. Yet, the climax of the story offers a hint as to why he’s there – Superman.

What Is Kilg%re After?

Kilg%re employed cybernetically advanced polar bears in an attack on the facility, leaving Superman feeling somewhat foolish for not anticipating that Kilg%re was orchestrating everything. Although Kilg%re does inform Superman that he’s been expecting him, it is peculiar that it would target Superman specifically. It’s likely there’s another motive behind its visit to the Greenland lab, and it may be connected to the technology being developed there.

Initially, Lois was intended to visit the facility for an investigation related to her ongoing story. The idea of someone transporting ice back to the Arctic would generate significant headlines, but Lois is not merely a journalist who writes uplifting stories about new technology. Instead, she’s an investigative reporter who suspects that the scientists at the facility might be involved in questionable activities or even using some of Kilg%re’s technology. This could explain why the entity has been causing trouble at the facility. Moreover, it may be trying to break into the Fortress of Solitude, which is intriguing since it houses the kind of advanced technology that Kilg%re would find appealing. Kilg%re is a lesser-known DC character, so his appearance in this context came as a significant surprise.

Action Comics #1085.

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2025-04-10 05:40