Who the Clix? is a series of articles featuring information on comic book characters that have been made into figures for the popular tabletop game Heroclix. These articles are meant to help Heroclix players learn more about the characters behind their favorite pieces.
Today we look at the second Kryptonian to call himself Superman from Earth 2: Val-Zod
Appearances in Heroclix: Superman and Wonder Woman
First Appearance: Earth 2 #19
Team Affiliations: The Wonders
Powers: Superhuman strength, speed, agility, reflexes, durability, senses, stamina, endurance, and longevity; Flight; Invulnerability; Electromagnetic spectrum vision
Created By: Tom Taylor, Nicola Scott, and Robson Rocha
Hailing from the Earth-2 universe, Val-Zod becomes the last of his House after his parent’s execution by Krypton’s court. Val quickly makes friends with fellow orphan Kara Zor-El. Moments before Krypton’s destruction, Val, Kara, Val’s foster brother and another child manage to escape their planet’s destruction with the assistance of Jor-El and Lara. During this journey to Earth, Val studies the teachings of his parents which were recorded in his capsule before their death. They teach him that violence is a foolish way to solve problems and forge Val into a pacifist. After his crash landing on Earth, Val is offered asylum by Terry Sloan who offers to protect him from the outside world. This leads Val to become a recluse and agoraphobic.
After a brainwashed Superman begins attacking the world, the Wonders discover Val and hope that his Kryptonian heritage will be enough. After they bring him out of his home, Val suffers a panic attack. He explains that after spending most of his life in a confined space capsule and then home, he is actually afraid of open spaces. Lois helps Val overcome his agoraphobia and learn how to control his Kryptonian powers, though this process is mired by attacks from Parademons and a Darkseid controlled Superman.
After the death of Red Arrow and being confronted by the Earth 2 Jimmy Olsen, Val decides that he cannot just let his adpoted planet and new friends die. He battles the evil Superman and is eventually able to defeat him. Val then journeys with Lois and Batman to save people rom some of the remaining Apokoliptian fire pits. Val is able to combine his speed and strength with Kara’s and defeat a Fury of War that rose from the pit. He then builds protective suits for Batman and Huntress so they can descend into the pits unscathed.
In the pits, Val and the wonders do battle with DeSaad who has been creating clones of Superman as well as Parademons for attacking the Earth. They eventually find the original Superman who now appears powerless. This powerless Superman ultimately saves the day by connecting himself to the Avatar of Red’s network and using his own blood as poison while sacrificing his life. Val then helps Kara bury Clark Kent before aiding the Flash in battling the Furies. All these attempts prove fruitless, however, as the Earth is ultimately destroyed by Darkseid.
Val-Zod is among the heroes sent to the world of Telos by Brainiac. This planet is eventually terraformed into a new Earth and transported to the Earth 2 universe where Val-Zod and the other Wonders try to rebuild their home.
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