The life and death of Superman's home planet of Krypton will be revisited in a new young adult graphic novel trilogy titled House of El, which is slated to launch from DC Comics next January.
House of El Book One: The Shadow Threat comes from the creative team of writer Claudia Gray and artist Eric Zawadski, who are joined by colorist Dee Cunniffe and letterer Deron Bennett. The Shadow Threat revisits the tragedy of Krypton as seen through the eyes the eyes of two teenagers: Zahn and Sera.
Zahn and Sera are two very different who -- under Krypton's social norms -- were never supposed to meet, Zahn being a member of the planet's wealthy elite and Sera being one of the planet's soldiers. However, when mysterious earthquakes lead to panic and riots, the two join forces to uncover what's really going on and, along the way, "form a bond that will endure past the end of the world." All the while, Superman's parents (and Krypton's top scientific minds), Jor-El and Lara-El, conduct a secret experiment meant to reform Krypton on a molecular level.
"As a lifelong Superman fan, I've always wondered -- how can this hyper-advanced planet with brilliant scientists be so unaware that they're on the brink of catastrophe?" Gray told Syfy Wire. "House of El is my chance to finally answer that question." Gray is known for her Star Wars novels, including Lost Stars, Bloodline and Leia: Princess of Alderaan.
"The story of Krypton couldn't be more relevant or timely than now and Claudia's script reflects that," said Zawadski. "Within a fast-paced plot, she's woven together endearing characters, an intriguing love triangle and a topical theme of environmental planetary destruction being ignored by the ruling class. I couldn't be more excited to be telling this story with Claudia. It has everything I love drawing: young characters fighting the good fight and large cityscapes succumbing to destruction."
Written by Claudia Gray and illustrated by Eric Zawadski, House of El Book One: The Shadow Threat goes on sale Jan. 5, 2021 from DC Comics.