Wikipedia

Kandor (comics)

Kandor(commonly known as theBottle City of Kandor)[1]is a fictional city spared from the doomed world ofKryptoninDC Comics'Supermantitles. Before Krypton exploded, the futuristic city was captured by the supervillainBrainiac,miniaturized by his shrinking ray and placed inside a glass bell jar. Defeating Brainiac and taking possession of the jar, Superman brings the city to hisArctichideout, theFortress of Solitude,and spends many years attempting to restore it to normal size.

Kandor
Supermanlocation
Kandor as depicted inBatman/Superman#7 (April 2020). Art by Nick Derington (penciler/inker) and Dave McCaig (colorist).
First appearanceAction Comics#242 (July 1958)
Created by
GenreSuperhero comics
In-universe information
TypeCity
Race(s)Kryptonians
PublisherDC Comics

Publication history

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The city first appeared in the story "The Super-Duel in Space", published inAction Comics#242 (July 1958), written byOtto Binderand drawn byAl Plastinoduring the period known as theSilver Age of Comic Books.[2]This was part of editorMort Weisinger's desire to build a wider canvas of supporting characters and locations for the various Superman titles, creating more opportunities for new stories to emerge.[3]The miniature city allowed writers to explore Kryptonian culture, which had previously been just an offscreen preface to the series.[2]The concept was explored in depth over the next ten years, as the readers became fascinated with the bottled city and its glimpses of Kryptonian life.[4]

The concept helped to humanize the god-like Superman, and enrich his characterization. InSuperman: The Complete History,Les Danielsobserved that "showing Superman so much at home in the bottle emphasized the extent to which he was as much an alien as an American".[5]InSuperman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero,Larry Tyesaid that Kandor "made clear that even Superman couldn't get everything he wanted, since there was nothing he wanted more than to restore the Kandorians to their rightful size".[6]

In their bookSupergods,writerGrant Morrisonexplained the unique symbolism that the Bottle City represents:

"This living diorama, this ant colony of real people, had great appeal for children, adding to the childlike nature of this era's Superman. In Kandor, lost memories were preserved under glass, and Superman could go there, in private, to experience a world he left behind. Kandor was every snow globe and music box that stood for every bittersweet memory in every movie there would ever be. Kandor was the tinkling voice of a lost world, a past that might have been, unreachable. Kandor was survivor's guilt endowed with new meaning".[7]

The first Brainiac/Kandor comic book story inAction Comics#242 (July 1958) was based on a story arc in theSupermancomic stripfrom April through August 1958. In the comic strip story, Superman's foe was named Romado, who traveled the cosmos with his pet white monkey Koko, shrinking major cities and keeping them in glass jars. The strip's Kryptonian bottled city was named Dur-El-Va.[8]This cross-continuity conflict was not unprecedented; in 1958 and '59, editor Mort Weisinger used the comic strip to prototype a number of concepts that he planned to introduce in the book, includingBizarroandred Kryptonite.[9]

Following Kandor's introduction in the comic books, the Bottle City inspired a number of plots involving both regular characters entering the jar to visit Kandor, as well as Kandorians leaving the jar to interact with the human world.[10]Superman became a regular visitor, even creating a new Kandorian identity in 1963 as the superhero Nightwing, with Jimmy Olsen as his sidekick Flamebird.[9]

While Binder and Plastino created the first Kandor story, the tale was elaborated on in a series of stories by writerEdmond Hamiltonand artistCurt Swan.[5]Swan particularly enjoyed drawing Kandor stories: "Where else could you have the fun of creating an entire city in a bottle? I think Al Plastino had first drawn Kandor, the Kryptonian city that had been miniaturized... But I had a lot of fun inventing all that tiny futuristic architecture, not to mention the view from inside the bottle — with the" giant "figures peering in".[11]Swan also added: "Creating and re-creating the city was so much fun, in fact, that there was never a standard pattern or skyline of Kandor; it was never drawn the same way twice".[12]

The people of Kandor were finally restored to normal size, to settle on a new planet that they called Rokyn ( "God's Gift", from the name of the Kryptonian god Rao). This event was mentioned parenthetically in a 1965 story, "The Five Legion Orphans!" (Adventure Comics#356, May 1965), a prediction that finally came true almost fifteen years later, in "Let My People Grow!" (Superman#338, August 1979). In the latter story, Superman uses an enlarging ray to bring the city back; while the buildings prove unstable and crumble to dust, the restored citizens are happily relocated to their new home.[13]

Len Wein,writer of this final Kandor story, said in a 2006 interview that he regretted restoring the city to normal size: "Although I like the ending of the story, I'm sorry I did the story. I don't think that any of us realized at the time that what was old to us was new to somebody just coming in... I came at Kandor thinking: 'I'm so tired of this. It's been 20 years, 30 years, of that stupid city'. So I came up with a story I thought might have some emotional impact... I regret that, because the idea of a bottle city of tiny people is a much cooler idea than what I left it as".[14]

Fictional history

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Silver Age

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The first Kandor story, "The Super-Duel in Space", establishes that Kandor — Krypton's capital city — was stolen years before the planet exploded. Superman has no powers when he is inside the jar due to Kandor artificially replicating Krypton's environment. Superman liberates all of Brainiac's bottled cities, except for Kandor. He brings it to the Fortress of Solitude, with a resolution to eventually restore it to normal size.[15]

In 1960, Otto Binder and Curt Swan introduced theSuperman Emergency Squad,a group of volunteer Kandorians who occasionally assist Superman, using technology to enlarge themselves to the size of dolls.[16][17]

Post-Crisis

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When theDC Universecontinuity wasrebootedin the 1985-86 miniseriesCrisis on Infinite Earths,Kandor's history was changed. In this version of the story, Kandor was destroyed a thousand years before Krypton's end, blown up with an atomic device by the terrorist organizationBlack Zero.[18][19]

A new version of Kandor was introduced in 1996, this one populated with a collection of various alien species, held in a prison that looked like a bottle but was actually an extra-dimensional space, created by the alien wizard Tolos.[20][19]

Superman's history was shaken up again with the 2003-2004 miniseriesSuperman: Birthright,which replaced the post-Crisisstatus quo with a new version of Superman's early years. In this continuity, the city was stolen and shrunk by Brainiac.[21][19]A telepathic version of Kandor is present within theJoe KellyseriesSuperman: Godfall,controlled byLyla.[22]

The storylines and relaunchesInfinite Crisis(2005-2006),Superman: New Krypton(2009-2009),The New 52(2011) andDC Rebirth(2016) have resulted in a number of different versions of Kandor, with varying degrees of resemblance to the original Silver Age creation. In theNew Kryptonworld, the city is enlarged, but its people come into conflict with Earth and suffer heavy casualties thanks to the machinations ofLex Luthor.InThe New 52,the Kandorians are manipulated into seeing Superman as their captor rather than their savior for failing to enlarge them.

Known inhabitants

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The inhabitants of Kandor have varied in different continuities:

Earth-One's Kandor inhabitants

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  • Ak-Var - A former Phantom Zone inhabitant who now operates asFlamebird.[23]
  • Dev-Re - A science councillor who was part of the earlier establishment of Kandor. He has since become a friend of Superman.[24]
  • Dik-Zee - The twin brother of Van-Zee and first cousin once removed of Superman and Supergirl who once fell in love withLois Lane.[25]
  • Don-El - The son of Nim-El (twin brother of Jor-El) and first cousin of Superman and Supergirl. He is the police chief of Kandor (SupermanAnnual #2).
  • El Gar Kur - A Kandorian criminal who posed asJimmy Olsen.[26]
  • Lesla-Lar - A Kandorian scientist and enemy of Supergirl.[27]
  • Lili Van-Zee - The daughter of Van-Zee and second cousin of Superman and Supergirl.[28]
  • Lyle-Zee - The son of Van-Zee, brother of Lili Van-Zee, and second cousin of Superman and Supergirl.[28]
  • Nor-Kann - A scientist and prosecutor who is an old friend ofJor-El.He was responsible for creating Flamebird and Nightwing.[29]
  • Shyla Kor-Onn - A Kandorian scientist and former Phantom Zone inmate.[30]
  • Sylvia DeWitt - A human heiress who fell in love with Van-Zee after he was rejected by Lois Lane. The two of them had children named Lili Van-Zee and Lyle-Zee.[28]
  • Van-Zee - The twin brother of Dik-Zee and first cousin once removed of Superman and Supergirl who operated as Nightwing. After being unable to win over the affections of Lois Lane, Van-Zee won over the affections of Sylvia DeWitt. The two of them got married and have children named Lili Van-Zee and Lyle-Zee.[28]
  • Zora Vi-Lar - A Kandorian who operated as Black Flame and antagonized Supergirl.[31]

New Earth's Kandor inhabitants

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  • Alura Zor-El- The mother of Kara Zor-El.
  • Asha Del-Nar - A Kandorian lieutenant and former writer in the Artist Guild.[32]
  • Dal Kir-Ta - An aspirant and member of the Military Guard who was recruited by Fer-Gor.[33]
  • Fer-Gor - A Kandorian commander of the Military Guild.[34]
  • General Zod
  • Jax-Ur
  • Jeq-Vay - An aspirant first class and member of the Red Shard branch of the Military Guild.[28]
  • Preus- A xenophobic Kandoraian officer introduced inGodfall.[35]
  • Kal-El- He worked as a commander during his time in Kandor.[36]
  • Kara Zor-El
  • Non
  • Tyr-Van - A councillor of the Labor Guild.[32]

Prime-Earth's Kandor inhabitants

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Other versions

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Reception

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In the 2015 bookThe Man from Krypton: A Closer Look at Superman,Adam-Troy Castrocriticizes "The Pathetic Inferiority Complex of the Kandorians": "As of now, the average size of the remaining members of the species is defined quite well by the people of Kandor, who now face a practical choice between being small and living in a bottle on a shelf, or being small and free to zip around with godlike powers. It seems an obvious choice to me, but the Kandorians remain so self-conscious about being small that they prefer indefinite storage on Superman's shelf. This does not speak well of Kryptonian ambition".[1]

Influence

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ArtistMike Kelleycreated sculptural variations of Kandor, dozens of which were shown at various museums.[39][40]

In other media

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Television

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  • Kandor appears inThe World's Greatest SuperFriendsepisode "Terror at 20,000 Fathoms".
  • Kandor appears inSmallville.This version was razed by theBlack Zeroterrorist organization before Jor-El stored and cloned many of its soldiers in a device called the "Orb" as part of a plan devised by the Science Council should Krypton be destroyed. The Orb later ends up on Earth, whereTess Merceruses its stored DNA to create clones of the soldiers, such asMajor Zod.
  • Kandor appears in theLegion of Super Heroesepisode "Message in a Bottle".[41]This version contained a device called the Messenger, which stabilized Krypton by crystallizing unstable matter and facilitated Brainiac's destruction of Krypton. AfterImperiexandValidusinvade the city,Brainiac 5temporarily turns Kandor's artificial sun from red to yellow to empower its inhabitants so they can help theLegion of Super-Heroesfend off the pair before they restore Krypton and Kandor.
  • Kandor appears in theBatman: The Brave and the Boldepisode "Battle of the Superheroes!".
  • Kandor appears inJustice League Action.[42]This version was originally in Brainiac's possession before theJustice Leagueclaim it.
  • Kandor appears inKrypton.[43]This version is the hometown ofSeg-El.Additionally, a time-traveling Dru-Zod and Val-El thwart Brainiac's effort to shrink and steal the city.
  • Kandor appears inMy Adventures with Superman.This version is a space station that serves as the Kryptonian Empire's base before Superman and Supergirl destroy it.[44]

Film

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  • Kandor makes a cameo appearance inSuperman vs. The Elite.
  • Kandor appears inAll-Star Superman.
  • Kandor appears inSuperman: Unbound.This version is initially held by Brainiac, who closely monitors and tends to its inhabitants, before Superman rescues the city, brings it to an uninhabited Krypton-like planet, and enlarges it so its residents can begin anew.

Miscellaneous

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  • Kandor appears in the novelThe Last Days of Krypton,written byKevin J. Anderson.[45]This version represented the most majestic elements of Krypton's culture and was home to the most venal and short-sighted of the planet's aristocracy along with Superman's maternal grandparents and uncle. Additionally, Brainiac stole and shrunk the city as part of a deal with General Zod.
  • Kandor is referenced inThe Dukes of Stratosphear's song "Brainiac's Daughter", which appears on theirPsonic Psunspotalbum.

References

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  1. ^abCastro, Adam-Troy (2015). "Six Things That Plain Don't Make Any Sense About Superman". In Yeffeth, Glenn (ed.).The Man from Krypton: A Closer Look at Superman.BenBella Books. pp.102–103.ISBN9781941631584.
  2. ^abSchelly, William (2013).American Comic Book Chronicles: The 1950s.TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 183.ISBN9781605490540.
  3. ^Eury, Michael (2006).The Krypton Companion.TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 13, 31 & 34.ISBN9781893905610.
  4. ^Schelly, Bill (2016).Otto Binder: The Life and Work of a Comic Book and Science Fiction Visionary.North Atlantic Books. p. 165.ISBN9781623170387.
  5. ^abDaniels, Les (1998).Superman: The Complete History.Chronicle Books. p. 104.ISBN978-0811821629.
  6. ^Tye, Larry (2013).Superman: The High-Flying History of America's Most Enduring Hero.Random House. p. 171.ISBN9780812980776.
  7. ^Morrison, Grant (2012).Supergods: What Masked Vigilantes, Miraculous Mutants, and a Sun God from Smallville Can Teach Us about Being Human.Spiegel & Grau. p. 63.ISBN9780812981384.
  8. ^Weldon, Glen (2013).Superman: The Unauthorized Biography.Wiley. pp.108–109.ISBN978-1118341841.
  9. ^abWells, John (2015).American Comic Book Chronicles: 1960-64.TwoMorrows Publishing. pp. 24, 98.ISBN978-1605490458.
  10. ^Fleisher, Michael L. (2007).The Original Encyclopedia of Comic Book Heroes, Volume Three: Superman.DC Comics. pp.107–116.ISBN978-1-4012-1389-3.
  11. ^Dooley, Dennis; Engle, Gary D., eds. (1987).Superman at Fifty: The Persistence of a Legend.Octavia Press. p. 43.ISBN9780940601000.
  12. ^Getlein, Mark (2015).Living With Art.McGraw-Hill Higher Education. pp.13–14.ISBN9781259360640.
  13. ^Cowsill, Alan; Irvine, Alex; Manning, Matthew K.; McAvennie, Michael; Wallace, Daniel (2019).DC Comics Year By Year: A Visual Chronicle.DK Publishing. p. 174.ISBN978-1-4654-8578-6.
  14. ^Eury, Michael (2006).The Krypton Companion.TwoMorrows Publishing. p. 140.ISBN9781893905610.
  15. ^Otto Binder(w),Al Plastino(a). "The Super-Duel in Space"Action Comics,no. 242 (July 1958).DC Comics.
  16. ^Westfahl, Gary (2019).The Rise and Fall of American Science Fiction, from the 1920s to the 1960s.McFarland & Co. p. 169.ISBN9781476638515.
  17. ^Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen#48 (October 1960). DC Comics.
  18. ^The World of Krypton#2 (January 1988). DC Comics.
  19. ^abcGreenberger, Robert; Pasko, Martin (2010).The Essential Superman Encyclopedia.Del Rey. pp.146–150.ISBN978-0-345-50108-0.
  20. ^Superman: The Man of Steel#60 (September 1996). DC Comics.
  21. ^The Adventures of Superman#626 (May 2004). DC Comics.
  22. ^Action Comics#812
  23. ^Action Comics#336. DC Comics.
  24. ^Superman Family#173. DC Comics.
  25. ^Superman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane#21.
  26. ^Action Comics#253. DC Comics.
  27. ^Action Comics#279. DC Comics.
  28. ^abcdeSuperman's Girl Friend, Lois Lane#15. DC Comics.
  29. ^Superman#158. DC Comics.
  30. ^Superman Family#183. DC Comics.
  31. ^Action Comics#304. DC Comics.
  32. ^abSuperman: World of New Krypton#1. DC Comics.
  33. ^Superman: World of New Krypton#2. DC Comics.
  34. ^Action Comics#871. DC Comics.
  35. ^The Adventures of Superman#625 (April 2004)
  36. ^The Adventures of Superman#625 (April 2004)
  37. ^abcdefghThe Man of Steel(vol. 2) #3. DC Comics.
  38. ^The Dark Knight III: The Master Race#2-3
  39. ^Johnson, Ken (2015-09-10)."Review: Mike Kelley Uncorks Superman's Kandor City in a Bottle".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.Retrieved2020-07-14.
  40. ^"Art review: Mike Kelley at Gagosian Gallery".LA Times Blogs - Culture Monster.2011-01-20.Retrieved2020-07-14.
  41. ^"Legion of Super Heroes:Season 2 - Episode 8: "Message in a Bottle" Review ".Superman Homepage.RetrievedDecember 25,2024.
  42. ^Jahangir, Sharna (March 22, 2017)."Review:Justice League ActionS1E21 ".Dark Knight News.RetrievedDecember 25,2024.
  43. ^Prudom, Laura (March 15, 2018)."Krypton:Pilot Review ".IGN.RetrievedDecember 25,2024.
  44. ^Sabroski, Ryan (July 19, 2024)."My Adventures With SupermanSeason 2 Finale Non-Spoiler Review – "My Adventures With Supergirl"".The Cinema Spot.RetrievedDecember 25,2024.
  45. ^Kistler, Alan (March 21, 2008)."Review:The Last Days of Kryptonby Kevin J. Anderson ".ComicMix.RetrievedDecember 25,2024.
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