The Kryptonian Empire was a militaristic society built on brutal expansionism. Yet, the Kryptonians eventually realized the horror of their conquests and abandoned their old ways, choosing instead to share their technology and resources with other worlds.
During a war with an enemy too powerful for them to defeat, the Kryptonians sought a peaceful solution. One of their rulers, Jor-El, began secret meetings to negotiate a peace treaty. However, the Brainiac system—an A.I. built for warfare—viewed this attempt at peace as a threat to its purpose and the empire's old militaristic values. In response, Brainiac used Krypton's greatest weapon to annihilate the entire planet.
History[]
Background[]
Originating on the planet Krypton, the Kryptonian people once saw themselves as the most advanced society in the universe, establishing an empire that would expand across the stars. In its early days, this empire was built on a belief that they were "advancing" lesser worlds through authoritative conquest.
Circa 2001, a rogue Kryptonian fleet attempted an invasion of Earth in an event that became known as Zero Day. However, before the invasion could truly begin, something on the invading side of the warp gate captured Nemesis Omega's attention, and the fleet immediately halted its advance.[1]
The Fall of Krypton[]
As recounted by Jor-El's A.I. copy, the Kryptonian Empire eventually faced an enemy it could not defeat and was on the verge of collapse. In secret, Jor-El initiated peace talks and successfully worked out a ceasefire. However, before the agreement could be made public, the Brainiac system—fearing that a peaceful resolution would lead to his decommissioning—went rogue. Viewing the empire's attempt at peace as a betrayal towards, Brainiac turned Krypton's greatest weapon on its own population, committing genocide.
The Era of the New Empire[]
Based out of Kandor, Brainiac used remnants of Kryptonian technology to rebuild the Kryptonian Empire in his own image. After finding Kara Zor-El, the Brainiac system would brainwash the girl to act as his enforcer. While Kara believed the New Empire would uplift planets, in truth, Brainiac used her to commit genocide on other worlds that he deemed unworthy and rebellious from his perceived vision on what a true Kryptonian could be.[2][3][4]
After Kal-El indicated his survival,[5] Brainiac had Kara bring him to Kandor[6] where his attitudes began to rouse Kara's suspicions. Visiting supposedly uplifted planets and finding only graveyards, Kara managed to break through Brainiac's brainwashing[2]while Brainiac managed to take over Superman's body.[3]
While Kara managed to escape back to Earth with Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen, Brainiac soon followed, threatening to destroy the Earth if it did not surrender to the empire. After Superman broke free of Brainiac's control,[7] he and Supergirl managed to push Kandor off Earth where the latter killed Brainiac, ending his attempts at rebuilding the Kryptonian Empire in his twisted ways and the empire is disbanded permanently.[4]
Known Members[]
Former Members[]
- Nemesis Omega (formerly; unknown/presumed dead)
Known Survivors[]
Honorary Members[]
Technologies[]
- Kryptonian Energy Crystals
- Black Mercy
- Kryptonian Energy Weapons
- Red Sun Omega Fields
- Kryptonian Homing Beacon
- Kryptonian Bracelet
- Kryptonian Armor
- Kryptonian Bodysuits
- Terraformation Androids
- Amazo
- 0MACs
- Brainiac Drones
- Brainiac System
- A.I. Constructs
- Eradicator Protocol
- Kryptonian Warp-Gate
- Kryptonian Warships
- Kal-El's Spacecraft
- Kara-Zor-El's Spaceship
- Kandor
Gallery[]
Kryptonian Empire/Gallery
Appearances[]
- My Adventures with Superman
Trivia[]
- The idea of the Kryptonians as empire-builders, rather than their usual depiction as isolated scientists, was previously explored in the DC Extended Universe. In contrast to the series however, the Kryptonians in the DCEU failed to build an interstellar dominion, forcing them to remain on Krypton.
- The Kryptonian Empire is potentially a reference to the Viltrum Empire from Invincible, both being empires built by a super-powered race that later turned benevolent. Ironically the Viltrumites themselves were heavily inspired by the Kryptonians.
References[]
- ↑ Zero Day Part 1, My Adventures with Superman. Adult Swim (August 18, 2023)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Machine Who Would Be Empire, My Adventures with Superman. Adult Swim (June 23, 2024)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Death of Clark Kent, My Adventures with Superman. Adult Swim (July 7, 2024)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 My Adventures with Supergirl, My Adventures with Superman. Adult Swim (July 21, 2024)
- ↑ Two Lanes Diverged, My Adventures with Superman. Adult Swim (June 9, 2024)
- ↑ Most Eligible Superman, My Adventures with Superman. Adult Swim (June 16, 2024)
- ↑ Pierce the Heavens, Superman!, My Adventures with Superman. Adult Swim (July 14, 2024)
