SyFy’s ‘Krypton’ Leaps Over Comic Book TV Conventions in a Single Bound

Aaron Berke

SyFy’s “Krypton” tells the tale of Superman’s grandfather, Seg-El, many years before the Man of Steel’s birth and the planet Krypton’s destruction. It’s the latest comic book television property to be based on a prominent DC hero, but the first to feature a protagonist other than said hero. Seg-El (Cameron Cuffe) isn’t Superman, and he also doesn’t have any powers of his own. Instead, “Krypton” becomes about Superman’s lineage and exploring an alien culture that simultaneously parallels and deviates from our own. The result is a fascinating and original comic book show that captures the essence of Superman without ever needing you to believe a man can fly.

The series begins with Seg-El as a child, witnessing his grandfather, Val-El’s (Ian McElhinney) trial and execution in the name of Rao. We learn that at this time in Krypton’s history, the planet’s traditional council has been overthrown by a religious zealot claiming to be the Voice of Rao, an emissary between the planet and Rao, their ancient God. Part of Rao’s new order is to declare all scientific acknowledgement of foreign planets blasphemy, which means Val-El’s claims of an invading extra-planetary force are considered heresy. The young Seg-El watches helplessly as his grandfather is executed and his family stripped of their rank, with House El wiped from Krypton’s historical records.

In present day, Seg-El lives with his parents in the slums of Kandor City among the other rank-less members of society. Seg-El spends his days getting into bar fights and gambling to make ends meet, until two crucial events occur. One, Seg-El saves the Voice of Rao from assassination by the militant group Black Zero. As a reward, Rao’s emissary, Daron-Vex (Elliot Cowan), agrees to restore Seg’s rank, with one caveat – he has to take on the name of House Vex and forever abandon the El lineage. The other event is the arrival of a mysterious time traveler named Adam Strange (Shaun Sipos), who warns Seg not to abandon his family’s name. Adam tells Seg that one day his grandson will become the greatest super hero on planet Earth, but this can only happen if Seg keeps his family name and fights to prevent the attack of an extraterrestrial planet collector named Brainiac, who plans to destroy Krypton and wipe Superman from existence. Seg must decide which path to follow, and whether to embrace the great destiny foretold to him.

Right off the bat, “Krypton” does a remarkable job setting up its own lore while simultaneously honoring the future history of Superman. The political structure on Krypton mirrors our own, with the rank-less standing in for the lower class, while the lofty halls of the science guild and the house of Rao pulsate with elitism. The series’ set design is remarkable, the dirty, crumbling bricks of the rank-less sector in striking contrast with the cavernous spaces and squeaky-clean allure of Kandor City’s capital buildings. “Krypton” shines with surprising political fervor when it deals with the concepts of outlawing science and stripping heretics of their rank. It’s a theme of isolationism so common in modern political television that surprisingly feels right at home in “Krypton’s” realm of pure comic book sci-fi.

The modern sensibilities alternate with the series’ dedicated fan service. Seg-El’s relationship with Val-El is much like Superman’s relationship with the specter of his father, Jor-El, as told in the Superman films and comic books. Seg-El even has his very own Fortress of Solitude tucked away in the snowy remote mountains of Krypton. It’s an area that looks exactly like the arctic tundra where Superman keeps his own fortress. The Fortress features nods to several classic Superman appearances. In the pilot, Seg uses a crystal to activate the Fortress that heavily resembles the Fortress-key from ‘Man of Steel.’ Meanwhile, the crystalline structure in the Fortress of Solitude’s interior more closely resembles the architecture from the original ‘Superman: The Movie.’ All of these nods will make comic book fans giddy, as will mesmerizing composer Pinar Toprak’s liberal usage of John Williams’ Superman theme.  

Occasionally these nods feel like the writers are trying too hard, especially when elements directly repeat moments from the Superman films, such as Seg’s initial discovery of the Fortress. But mostly the references are thrilling, and there’s more than enough new to blend with the old. Brainiac is one of Superman’s arch-villains, and his appearance in “Krypton” is both exciting and logically sensible, as the character has a comic book history of seeking to destroy Krypton. Meanwhile, the Voice of Rao is an original villain who provides an intriguing new threat to Seg-El. His identity is unknown, and he hides behind a golden mask with many repeating faces wrapped around it, giving the impression that he can see in all directions at once. It’s the perfect look of a dictator who wants the people to believe that he’s all-knowing. Rao’s identity is one of the series’ more intriguing questions that continues to loom large.

Cameron Cuffe is instantly likable as Seg-El. He looks enough like the Man of Steel that we have no trouble believing he’s related to Superman. But he has no powers, which means the stakes feel higher for him than they usually do for Superman. Seg is also a bit more flawed than Kal-El (Superman’s birth name), rougher around the edges and a lot more selfish. Yet he very much has Superman’s heart, and cares deeply for the people in his life. Seg is a rounded protagonist, his flaws and nuances making him feel more human than Superman. It’s ironic, considering Seg spends a lot more time on an alien world than Kal ever did.  

The supporting characters complement Seg-El and assist in filling out the distinctive world of “Krypton.” Adam Strange provides the audience’s lens into Krypton’s alien culture. As a visitor from present day Earth, Strange easily sticks out with his jeans, hoodie and baseball cap. Strange’s Earth references also add a much-needed element of humor, such as his attempts to fist-bump a confused Seg. Adam’s Earthly point-of-view creates an aura of familiarity, allowing viewers to see through his eyes and adjust to the strange culture of Krypton.

Seg-El gets a romantic interest in the form of Lyta Zod (Georgina Campbell), a soldier in Krypton’s Sagitari army. The Sagitari act as the personal guard force of Kandor’s government and play a crucial role in maintaining a structural order between the ranked elites and the rank-less civilians. Lyta is an entry point into some of the series’ more nuanced subject matter. Lyta’s relationship with Seg-El is forbidden because the rank-less are assigned their mates from birth. Lyta secretly defies this decree along with the Sagitari’s rules so that she can be with Seg, though they both know that their relationship is doomed. Here ‘Krypton’ provides a star-crossed romance angle that helps to break up the series’ interweaving plot lines with moments of humanity. Lyta’s compassion is a rarity among the Sagitari, most of whom see the rank-less as rodents unworthy of their lives. Lyta acts as one of the only military members who actively tries to prevent hostile confrontations between the Sagitari and the rank-less. Lyta’s position provides a fascinating viewpoint into Krypton’s hierarchical struggles and reminds viewers of very similar problems on our own world.   

David S. Goyer and his writing team lay out several fascinating elements set to play out over the course of the series. Seg-El’s discovery of his lineage, the threat of Krypton’s government, and the mystery of Brainiac are all introduced smoothly and laid out carefully over the course of the series’ first few episodes. Only the series’ pilot struggles with pacing, its need to set up the world and simultaneously lay out the plot’s trajectory often competing for attention. The pilot zips by crucial story elements that impact Seg-El emotionally, but blindside the viewer, resulting in a lack of empathetic connection. It’s an ailment that befalls many television pilots but does not stop Krypton from recovering and establishing deliberate, balanced pacing from the second episode onwards. The series keeps the momentum going by layering mystery on top of mystery, with Brainiac’s arrival, Rao’s identity, and Seg-El’s destiny all equally important and identically compelling.

“Krypton” quickly establishes itself as a triumphant new story in the Superman canon. It plays as both great sci-fi television and thrilling comic book entertainment. The interlaced political storylines help keep the series feeling relevant as it simultaneously employs thrilling comic book references that honor Superman’s history. Perhaps the series’ greatest triumph is being able to tell a Superman story without ever featuring Superman. The famous Kryptonian’s only appearance is his flapping, red cape. Yet Kal-El’s presence looms large. Superman’s absence grants his legacy added potency and motivates us to root for Seg all the more. Seg-El doesn’t fly, but he does leap over comic book TV conventions in a single bound.

“Krypton” premieres March 21 and airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on SyFy.