WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Justice League Unlimited #1!

The Phantom Zone—a hellish prison dimension created by Jor-El—has long been one of the darkest and most iconic aspects of Superman’s lore, carrying with it over 63 years of comic book tradition. But now, this notorious interdimensional prison has undergone a subtle yet powerful redesign, transforming it from a cornerstone of Superman's mythology into a surprising element of Justice League lore.

Introducing a large gate leading to the Phantom Zone marks a significant shift in Superman lore...

Mark Waid and Dan Mora’s Justice League Unlimited #1 has officially launched a new era for the DC Universe's premier superhero team, redefining them like never before after years of disbandment. The most notable change is that the Justice League is now open to all of Earth’s heroes, rather than just a select few. Additionally, the team now operates out of a new and improved Watchtower.

While the new Watchtower was first introduced in DC’s All In Special, Justice League Unlimited #1 gives readers—and hero Air Wave—an official tour, led by none other than Wally “The Flash” West. Part of this tour includes a peek at the newly redesigned Phantom Zone.

The Justice League’s Watchtower Gives the Phantom Zone a Major Upgrade

“Phantom Zone Prison Gate: No ittance Without Clearance.” – Justice League Unlimited #1

In Justice League Unlimited #1, Flash takes Air Wave on a whirlwind tour of the massive Watchtower, giving the young hero a crash course on the base's facilities, along with quick introductions to various team and projects. Among the facilities shown to Air Wave are the auxiliary meeting rooms assigned to sub-teams like the Titans, the JSA, and the Super-Family. Wally also shows him The Robin Nest, the central communications center, and introduces him to other heroes stationed at the Watchtower. However, in a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, Flash speeds past a massive metal door labeled “Phantom Zone Prison Gate: No ittance Without Clearance.”

While Flash doesn’t directly acknowledge this part of the Watchtower, Dan Mora’s redesign of the Phantom Zone is hard to miss, drawing immediate attention from fans. Introducing a large gate leading to the Phantom Zone marks a significant shift in the visual depiction of the interdimensional prison. Its placement within the Watchtower is particularly noteworthy, signaling that the Phantom Zone is no longer just part of Superman’s lore but has become an integral element of Justice League mythology. It will be exciting to see if this redesigned entry point plays a larger role in the story, further cementing its place in Justice League history.

Superman’s Phantom Zone Has Returned to the Limelight in Recent Storylines

Cover B Card Stock Variant by Sebastián Fiumara for Action Comics #1077 (2024)

The Phantom Zone’s cameo in Justice League Unlimited was a welcome surprise, especially for fans of Mark Waid and Clayton Henry’s Action Comics weekly, where the current story arc centers around the Kryptonian prison. With Waid leading both series, fans can’t help but feel that there’s more in store for the Phantom Zone in Justice League Unlimited than just a brief appearance. Action Comics has also introduced a wealth of new lore surrounding Superman's Phantom Zone, so it will be interesting to see if any of these developments intersect with the Justice League Unlimited storyline.

Justice League Unlimited #1 is available now from DC Comics!