Set 200 years before the birth of Kal-El (aka Superman), Krypton tells the story of the political, social and theological conflict on the planet Krypton that will ultimately lead to its demise two centuries later. Krypton had been a polytheistic society, but now Rao is considered to be one true god of the seven. The city-state of Kandor City, has become a theocracy ruled by the golden-masked Voice of Rao—the human embodiment of the god Rao. Resources are scarce, and so Rao and his council decide who will be a member of what guild/profession, dictate what ranks are given, and declare who will “bind” with whom.
The society is split into the guilded and the Rankless. While the guilded enjoy power and luxuries, the Rankless are the worker bees who live underground, in much harsher conditions. Among the Rankless, a terrorist group known as Black Zero has formed inside the city. They want to put an end to this tyranny. So the Military Guild is on high alert, trying to identify those who are plotting against the Voice of Rao, and the establishment. However there are also those inside the guilds who also wouldn’t necessarily mind a change in the leadership.
When Seg-El (Cameron Cuffe)—the future grandfather of the Man of Steel—was a young boy, he witnessed his grandfather being tried for treason for being a part of this revolution. His grandfather was executed, and his family ostracized, stripped of its rights, rank and privileges, and sent to live underground in The Outlands. It’s now fourteen years later, and Seg-El has become a quick-witted, street-wise young man. He and best friend Kem (Rasmus Hardiker) own a bar, and always have some sort of money-making scheme in the works. Seg also has a Romeo and Juliette like forbidden romance going on with Lyta-Zod (Georgina Campbell), the daughter of Military Guild General Jayna-Zod (Ann Ogbomo). When Seg needs some advice, he sneaks away to his Fortress of Solitude, where technology allows him to talk with his grandfather.
Seg’s world is suddenly turned upside down when he is visited by a mysterious man named Adam Strange (Shaun Sipos), who claims to be an Earthling from the future. Adam warns Seg that an alien named Braniac—the Collector of Worlds—is on his way to Krypton to prevent his grandson from being born. Seg is a bit skeptical at first, but quickly realizes the danger that is on its way. Now Seg-El must find a way to restore his family’s house and honor, and find a way to stop Braniac and other dangers that lurk inside Kandor City before its too late.
Krypton does a great job of bringing in many elements, characters and Easter Eggs from the Superman and DC lore, while also creating and exploring this whole uncharted world of the culture and turmoil on Krypton. The production value is amazing—you really feel like you’ve been transported to this whole new planet and society. You know something is up when Adam Strange shows up—he is easily identifiable as out of place in his jeans, Chuck’s and baseball cap. The series serves both as a prequel to the previous Superman stories, but also has on foot in the present with the modern-day Superman being ever-present in the story, but not actually there.
The first season mainly focuses on the city-state of Kandor City and two of the many guilds that make up the Kryptonian political and social system—the Lawmakers Guild and the Military Guild. As Seg worries about the much larger looming threat of Braniac, others in the city are more concerned with matters of social and political unrest. But these these two worlds ultimately come crashing together as forces threaten to tear the city apart. While there are no super-powers in the series, there is no shortage of action, suspense and drama. The season builds to an exciting conclusion that left me anxious
All 10 episodes of the season are split across two Blu-ray discs. The release provides a solid video and audio presentation. The picture looks clean and detailed and captures the colors and sights of Krypton beautifully, in both darker and daytime scenes. The audio track provides clear dialogue and an immersive viewing experience—this is especially noticeable when Seg is in the snowy Outlands, and you can hear the gusts of wind all around you. The discs are packed in an eco-friendly HD keepcase with a cardboard slipcase. Inside is a sheet with digital copy redemption instructions. The discs contain a nice selection of bonus features, including the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con panel, 9 deleted scenes, 40 minutes of behind-the-scenes featurettes, and a gag reel.
What’s Included:
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Episodes: (7:07:37)
- All 10 episodes of the first season:
Disc 1: “Pilot”, “House of El”, “The Rankless Initiative”, “The Word of Rao”, “House of Zod”
Disc 2: “Civil Wars”, “Transformation”, “Savage Night”, “Hope”, “The Phantom Zone” - 1080p / Widescreen 1.78:1
- Audio: English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1, German Dolby Digital 5.1
- Subtitles: English SDH, French, German SDH, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish
- Digital HD copy of the episodes redeemable via Vudu.
- Krypton: 2017 Comic-Con Panel (22:52)
Go behind-the-scenes of Krypton‘s first visit to San Diego Comic-Con, with footage from the press room, autograph signing, and panel. The panel is moderated by Geoff Johns, Chief Creative Officer of DC Comics, and the panelists include star Cameron Cuffe (“Seg-El”) and executive producers Damian Kindler and Cameron Welsh. Cuffe talks about his love for the comics, elements of the Superman legacy that he is excited are are a part of in the show, and the how the symbol of the House of El plays into the series. Kindler talks about villain Brainiac, and the show’s ambitious production value. And Welsh talks about connecting the story to the present day as well as the past, including the use of elements and characters such as Adam Strange, the house of Zod, Seg’s forbidden romance with Lyta-Zod, and how her mother is head of the military guard, like a General Zod. Plus, there are a lot of audience questions—I love that featurette just summarizes each question from the audience in text form before cutting to the panel response. I’ve been to these panels in person and the fan questions tend to ramble on, so this streamlines the Q&A nicely. - Deleted Scenes (8:23)
Each disc contains a Play All option for the deleted scenes pertaining to the episodes on that disc. The first disc contains 1 scene for episode 1, and 2 scenes each for episodes 2 & 5, while the second disc includes 2 scenes each for episodes 8 & 9. - Krypton: Bringing the Home World to Life (17:04)
The filmmakers give viewers a look at the sets and props, and how special effects are used to bring the world of Krypton to life. They also talk about how the various comic, film and TV adaptations inspired the look of Krypton, point out some DC Easter eggs that appear in the series, and talk about some of the biggest challenges of the production. Includes a look at concept and comic artwork, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with executive producers Cameron Welsh, David Goyer & Damian Kindler, staff writer Nadria Tucker, prop masters Ray Perry & Paul Stewart, visual effects producer Ian Markiewicz, production designer Ondrej Nekvasil, and star Cameron Cuffe (“Seg-El”). - A Lost Kingdom: Life on Krypton (22:38)
The filmmakers talk about creating this primarily unexplored world set 200 years before Kal-El. They discuss the societal/class/power structure and the dwindling resources of Kandor, the meaning of the House of El sigil, finding the drama with a Romeo & Juliette-meets-Brave New World story, and the main themes of the series. Includes behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with executive producers Cameron Welsh & David Goyer, staff writer Nadria Tucker, and stars Cameron Cuffe & Ian McElhinney (“Val-El”). - Gag Reel (3:22)
The usual gag reel antics, with the cast flubbing lines, cracking up, dancing, and just having fun on set.
Digital:
Extras:
Bonus material is spread across both discs.
Final Thoughts:
Krypton is an interesting and entertaining look into the culture and strife on the planet Krypton that will ultimately lead to its demise 200 years later. The series does an excellent job of creating a fully-realized world that feels both new but also familiar, and part of the well-known Superman lore. The first season not only explores a story of political and social unrest, but also brings in elements of time travel, and introduces some familiar Superman villains into the mix. The series comes recommended for fans of the Superman and the genre.
