When Krypton was first announced, some fans were confused about what SyFy and DC was doing. Thankfully, the Krypton panel at San Diego Comic-Con cleared a few things up. First off, the timeline is going to be more intricate than originally thought.
“So there are characters from the DC universe like Adam Strange and Hawkwoman who have come to Krypton to try and stop the evil forces that are there from the present day trying to unravel the origin of Superman. It’s going to be very cool, very different,” Geoff Johns said.
“One of the main big villains you saw in there, it’s so cool to have Brainiac. Long overdue to be on screen like that,” Johns continued. “Oops did we say Doomsday? Yeah, Doomsday will be in the show.”
"Just because things haven’t been done on television yet doesn’t mean they can’t be." - @geoffjohns #Krypton #SDCC
— autumn noel kelly ⚡️ (@autumnnoelkelly) July 22, 2017
Showrunner Damian Kindler says he thinks Brainiac is one of the coolest villains ever.
“He is the nexus point between man and machine which is a completely relevant thing to talk about now. We have a really good story to tell,” he said.
Producer Cameron Welsh explained Adam Strange was chosen because he’s in the space corner of the DC Universe.
“He feels like a natural fit. Our version is interesting. He’s a bit more cynical. The connection with Thanagar is going to be important. Having both Adam Strange and Hawkwoman... and knowing the history," he said.
Johns reveals when the show begins, the House of El has been stripped of their symbol. "What does that symbol mean when we start the show?” he asks star Cameron Cuffe.
“There is this massive legacy attached to the House of El. His family is stipped of its rank and thrown to the very bottom of society where he's struggling to live. That legacy and sense of hope is still there but it’s very different because really he’s a hustler. He’s just trying to get by day by day," Cuffe said. "One of the most massive arcs for Seg is how does he earn the legacy of that symbol and how does that symbol come to mean what it means today.”
Johns explains the show is really about forces that are trying to destroy the House of El, both good and bad. But there’s another house that plays an important role: House of Zod, the other side of Krypton.
“When you start the show, the House of El has collapsed,” Cuffe said. “But Seg is involved with a relationship with someone from the House of Zod. That's essentially a forbidden romance.”
Her name is Lyta Zod, head of military. “Yes, there is a General Zod,” Johns says. “The heart of the show is really about Seg El discovering and defining what the ‘S’ means.”
“To me, the best thing about Superman is that he always believes in you, and a better tomorrow and more than that, he never gives up. It’s an incredible legacy that I’m thrilled to be a part of,” Cuffe said.
“I love Superman. He’s my favorite of all time because of what he represents and I hope never goes away as long as you're fighting for it,” Johns adds. “Superman’s unbreakable spirit is very relevant today.”
Johns confirms the show is in its own universe and shares some dialogue that he knows will get fans hyped:
“This guy shows up to Seg and says, “Look, I’m from a planet called Earth. My name is Adam Strange. I come from a time long after this and I need you to help me save your grandson.”
During a Q and A a fan asked Johns if New Gods and Apocalypse would be part of things, too. He didn't confirm it, but left the door open to possibility.
“There are a lot of characters we’ve been talking about, but you see Black Mercy in the pilot. If you guys know who owns Black Mercy...it’s Mongul. You’ll see a lot of DC characters in this,” Johns said.
Before the panel ends, Johns also confirms we will see a Kryptonian version of Nightwing and Flamebird.
“That’s a huge part of the canon, so I don't know how we can’t do that,” he said.
The footage shown at SDCC is not yet online, so check out the teaser below in the meantime.
