A parent might reach for this book when their child is captivated by superheroes but ready for a story with more emotional depth. This graphic novel retells the iconic origin of Superman, but focuses intensely on his parents' perspective on the doomed planet Krypton. It explores powerful themes of parental love and sacrifice, bravery in the face of fear, and finding hope after immense loss. For ages 7 to 10, the format makes these big ideas accessible. It's an excellent choice for starting conversations about why parents make difficult decisions for their children's well being, using a familiar hero's story as a safe entry point.
A baby travels alone in a rocket through space as his planet explodes.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with mass death (planetary destruction) and the permanent separation of a child from his parents. The approach is not gory, but it is emotionally intense. The destruction is shown, but the focus is on the parents' grief and love. The resolution is hopeful, as the child survives to become Superman, but this hope is born from profound tragedy. The context is secular science fiction.
Ideal Reader
An 8 to 10 year old superhero fan who is ready to explore the 'why' behind their favorite characters. It's also for a child grappling with the idea that parents must sometimes make painful choices out of love, or a child experiencing anxiety about the permanence and safety of their world. It can serve as a metaphorical entry point for discussing big, difficult changes.
Parent Prep
A parent should preview the final scenes of Krypton's destruction. The imagery of the planet cracking apart is powerful. The core concept, parents sending their baby away forever to save him, is deeply emotional and will likely warrant a conversation about their motivations and love. Reading it together is recommended for the first time. The parent's child has started asking big 'what if' questions about disasters or loss, such as, "What if something happened to you?" or, "Where would we go if our home was gone?" The child may be showing a new awareness of the world's fragility.
Age Experience
A younger reader (7-8) will likely focus on the science fiction and action elements: the rocket, the exploding planet, the baby hero. An older reader (9-10) is more capable of grasping the emotional weight of the story: the parents' sacrifice, the grief of losing everything, and the burden of hope placed on the lone survivor.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many Superman origin retellings that rush past Krypton's fate, this book makes it the central focus. By centering the narrative on Jor-El and Lara, it transforms a piece of comic book lore into a poignant and accessible story about parental love in the face of unimaginable loss. The graphic novel format allows the art to convey the story's deep emotional core.
Read plot summary
This graphic novel focuses on the final days of the planet Krypton. Scientist Jor-El fails to convince the planet's ruling council of the impending doom. He and his wife, Lara, make the heartbreaking decision to save their infant son, Kal-El, by sending him to Earth in a small rocket just as Krypton is destroyed. The story centers on the parents' love, sacrifice, and hope for their child's future.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Jor-El tried to warn Krypton's leaders, but they did not listen. How do you think he felt? What would you have done if you were him?
2
Look at the pictures where Lara says goodbye to baby Kal-El. Why was sending him away both the saddest and the bravest thing she could do?
3
Jor-El and Lara sent a crystal with all of Krypton's history along with their son. If you had to save the history of our world on one crystal, what three things would you be sure to include?
4
The story ends with the baby landing safely, which feels hopeful even though his planet is gone. What makes the ending feel hopeful to you?
