Warning: Spoilers for Action Comics #1075Superman’s father is a complex figure in DC lore, with his discovery of the Phantom Zone serving as a point of contention in his legacy. Now, in a shocking reveal, it’s been confirmed that Jor-El wasn’t responsible for it being utilized as a prison, meaning he is not the one at fault for the atrocities that take place within it.
Action Comics#1075 – written by Mark Waid, with art by Clayton Henry – is the latest chapter in an ongoing story where Superman is trying to save the Phantom Zone from thevillainous clutches of Aethyr.
Superman has been sent back in time by Aethyr, finding himself on Krypton at a time prior to its destruction. He encounters his parents, but they are all quickly taken into custody afterRo-Zan learns of Jor-El’s Phantom Zone ray and confiscates it for himself.
Superman Learns the Truth About His Father’s Discovery of the Phantom Zone, Drastically Reshaping DC Lore
Action Comics#1075 – Written By Mark Waid; Art By Clayton Henry, Michael Shelfer, Matt Herms, & Dave Sharpe
With the Phantom Zone ray in Ro-Zan’s hands, Jor-El isn’t the one who gets to dictate what it’s used for. This reveal, alongside Jor-El’s explanation of the Phantom Zone’s actual purpose, absolves Superman’s father of his involvement with Krypton’s brutal form of punishment. Jor-El’s responsibility for the Phantom Zone has long been a blight on the character’s reputation, complicating Superman’s father’s role in DC Comics history. Now, however, thelatest retcon inAction Comics#1075 sets Jor-El’s record straight, allowing for a critical reinterpretation of his character overall.
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The Phantom Zone first appeared in 1961’sAdventure Comics#283, having been discovered by Jor-El as a replacement for the planet’s original form of punishment. Here, in the “Phantoms” story, Superman’s “perfect image” has been tarnished by the ethical implications of the Zone his father created. Through his travels, Superman has seen firsthand that thePhantom Zone is pure nightmare fuel, as its inhabitants are subjected to horrific fusions and inhumane torture. As such, Superman questions his father’s morality in presenting such a place to Krypton’s Science Council as a new form of punishment.
Superman’s Latest Retcon Erases His Complicated Feelings Towards His Father
Phantom Zone First AppearanceAdventure Comics#283 – Created By Robert Bernstein & George Papp
Now, Superman’s doubts about his father’s true nature can be laid to rest. InAction Comics#1074, when Supermanmeets his parents via time travel, Jor-El shows Clark his Phantom Zone ray and explains that he intends to use it as a means of saving his people from their planet’s eventual destruction.Superman’s father hadn’t intended to uncover a prison, but rather a"safe haven for all Kryptonians";hisretcon to the Phantom Zone’s origingives DC’s harshest prison a newfound meaning, in addition to mending Superman’s wavering belief in his father.
Superman doesn’t need to let his concerns about the Phantom Zone sour his relationship with his father any longer, as Jor-El is officially absolved of his greatest misstep in DC lore.
Superman has wrestled with his feelingstowards his deceased father throughout this storyline, as more and more horrors about the Phantom Zone have come to light. In every story he’d heard about Jor-El’s discovery of the Zone, his father was thrilled to share his findings. However, by witnessing those events for himself, Superman can see that Jor-El hadn’t proposed the prison at all.Supermandoesn’t need to let his concerns about the Phantom Zone sour his relationship with his father any longer, as Jor-El is officially absolved of his greatest misstep in DC lore.
Action Comics#1075will be available June 02, 2025 from DC Comics.
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
