WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2 #2 (2025)!
Despite technically being a Kryptonian,Supermanhas often been placed on the same level as a god, and if there’s one thing gods don’t do, it’s kneel. However, that’s exactly what the Man of Steel does in DC’s latest comic release. So, who is the hero powerful enough to bring Superman to his knees?
Brian Buccellato, Christian Duce, and Luis Guerrero’sJustice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2#2 picks up right where the last issue left off, with the Justice League facing off against an enraged King Kong. Despite having teamed up with the League before, Kong no longer recognizes them.
Determined to avoid a full-on fight, the League does everything they can to deescalate the situation peacefully. Superman takes the lead in this effort,urging his fellow heroes to follow his example and kneel before Kong.
Superman Bows Before King Kong in New Crossover Issue (& Here’s Why)
Is King Kong Really Considered a DC Hero?
Those who haven’t been keeping up with DC’s kaiju-themed crossover series may be scratching their heads, wondering when King Kong became a“DC hero.”That status was earned inJustice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong(2023), wherethe League teamed up with the giant ape to help save the day.
However,it seems that the previous partnership has slipped Kong’s memory. When the heroes encounter him again, this time on his home turf of Skull Island, he is anything but friendly and makes it clear he is ready for a fight. Realizing Kong no longer sees them as allies, Superman quickly makes a leadership call on how to handle the situation.
Speaking to Supergirl, Flash, Wonder Woman, and Batman, Superman says,“This is his home. Not ours. Better to deescalate for now. The proper move is to bow down to show submissiveness.”Wonder Woman agrees with his assessment, and the five heroes kneel before Kong in a unified gesture of peace.
Superman’s decision to bow wasn’t just a gesture;it was a calculated act of humility that showcased his unwavering commitment to peace. In a moment that could have erupted into chaos, the Man of Steel proved that true strength lies not in dominance, but in choosing diplomacy over destruction.
Why Is Superman Kneeling Such a Powerful Image?
The Man of Steel on His Knees Goes Against DC’s Long-Established Power Hierarchy
Given the context of the situation, Superman kneeling before another hero isn’t as dramatic as the headline might suggest, since it was a calculated and strategic move on his part. However, there is no denying that the image of Superman on his knees is a powerful one, prompting the question of why it carries such weight.
The simple answer is thatthis image subverts expectations.It goes against the version of Superman that DC has spent more than 80 years establishing, one built on unwavering strength, moral authority, and leadership. Kal-El has consistently been portrayed as standing at the top of the power hierarchy, both in the DC Universe and in the minds of fans.
This is why seeing one of the most powerful and respected heroes willingly kneel before another figure feels so jarring.The act challenges Superman’s reputation for rising above all others.While his decision makes perfect sense in this particular moment, it will still stand out as a moment that will undoubtedly catch the attention of readers and spark discussion.
Furthermore, the image of Superman kneeling before Kong will also remind fans of the iconic cover by Patrick Zircher forAction Comics#981.That cover shows the Man of Steel on his knees before General Zod, one of his most infamous enemies. Superman being forced to bow to Zod created a powerful visual that seared itself into the minds of readers and remains one of the most memorable images from his comic history.
Did Superman Submitting to King Kong Actually Work? (Short Answer: No)
While Superman’s reasoning was sound, and even Wonder Woman backed his logic,their plan to deescalate the situation by bowing to Kong ultimately failed.However, this failure was likely due to Killer Croc’s unexpected intervention rather than Kong rejecting the League’s gesture of submission.
As the League bowed, a kaiju-sized Killer Croc suddenly attacked, slamming into Kong and triggering a brutal battle between the two titans. The Justice League attempted to intervene and separate them, but their efforts were unsuccessful.The fight only ended after Kong killed Killer Croc.
Lex Luthor is behind transforming Killer Croc into a Kaju-sized monster. See how he did inJustice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2#1!
This was exactly the kind of outcome the League had hoped to avoid, making it feel like a failure, especially when Barry Allen points out how quickly the team seems to gloss over Croc’s death.Superman defends their actions, reminding Barry that they did try to stop the fight.
Wonder Woman reinforces this by saying,“Ultimate intervention would have meant challenging Kong… and likely a fight to the death,”between the heroes and the ape. In the end, it’s clear thatSuperman’sinitial instinct to deescalate by bowing was still the best possible approach, even though it didn’t work.
Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong 2 #2is available now from DC Comics!
