Kandor (comics)

Kandor is a fictional city in the DC Comics universe, primarily associated with Superman's lore. It is the capital city of Krypton that was shrunken and stolen by the villain Brainiac.

History:

Before Krypton's destruction, Brainiac, a Coluan being with a vast intellect and a thirst for knowledge, arrived on Krypton. He selected Kandor for its architectural and cultural significance and shrunk it to miniature size, placing it within a bottle. He claimed this was to preserve it from the planet's impending doom and to study its inhabitants. However, his true motive was to acquire the knowledge and technology of Kandor for his own purposes.

Following Krypton's destruction, Superman learned of Kandor's existence and Brainiac's role in its theft. He dedicated himself to finding a way to restore the city to its normal size and liberate its inhabitants.

Appearance and Location:

Kandor, in its shrunken state, is housed within a glass bottle or dome, which is often kept in Superman's Fortress of Solitude. Within the bottle, the city functions normally, with its inhabitants living out their lives unaware of their true size relative to the outside world. When viewing it from the outside, it appears as a perfectly scaled-down replica of a Kryptonian city.

Inhabitants:

The citizens of Kandor are ordinary Kryptonians who lived in the city before its shrinking. They retain their Kryptonian powers when exposed to a yellow sun, just like Superman. Notable Kandorians include Van-Zee and his wife Kyla, who have played significant roles in various Superman storylines.

Story Significance:

Kandor represents a tangible piece of Krypton's lost civilization and serves as a reminder of the tragedy that befell Superman's home world. It has been the focus of numerous storylines, exploring themes of loss, hope, and the responsibility of preserving culture. The restoration of Kandor to its normal size has been a recurring goal for Superman, often leading to conflicts with Brainiac and other adversaries. The ethical dilemmas surrounding the existence and potential integration of a restored Kandor into Earth society have also been explored.

Alternative Versions:

The portrayal of Kandor and its history has varied across different versions of the Superman mythos. These variations often involve different explanations for Brainiac's actions and the methods used to shrink and preserve the city.