Parents' Guide to House of El Book One: The Shadow Threat

House of El Book One: The Shadow Threat Poster Image

Common Sense Media Review

Michael Berry By Michael Berry , based on child development research. How do we rate?

age 12+

Kryptonian teens face apocalypse in lavish graphic novel.

Parents Need to Know

Why Age 12+?

Any Positive Content?

Parent and Kid Reviews

What's the Story?

As HOUSE OF EL: THE SHADOW THREAT opens, most citizens on the planet believe that Kryptonian society is absolutely perfect, with the genetically enhanced ruling class capable of solving every problem.Two teens, Sera and Zahn, have their worlds turned upside down by geneticists who reveal secrets in their DNA. Sera finds herself more empathic, while Zahn realizes he has more in common with the underground revolutionaries who want to expose unpleasant truths about their planet's fate. Together, Sera and Zahn must go on the run, if Krypton has any hope of survival,

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say : Not yet rated
Kids say : Not yet rated

Sometimes a well-known story can reveal unexpected secrets, as in this politically urgent start of a science fiction trilogy. Most readers of House of El: Yhe Shadow Threat will be well-aware of Superman's origin story, but author Claudia Gray, aided by the kinetic artwork of Eric Zawadzki, retells it with growing suspense and emotion,There's another volume forthcoming, and even though the ending is preordained, there are undoubtedly satisfying surprises awaiting faithful readers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how House of El deals with a situation similar to climate change, only worse. Why is it difficult for nations to work together to fight climate change?

  • What would it be like to be able to change a baby's genetic makeup? Should children be made stronger? More attractive?

  • What would it be like to know that the world was going to be destroyed soon?

Book Details

  • Author : Claudia Gray
  • Illustrator : Eric Zawadski
  • Genre : Graphic Novel
  • Topics : Activism , Superheroes
  • Book type : Fiction
  • Publisher : DC Comics
  • Publication date : January 5, 2022
  • Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 17
  • Number of pages : 208
  • Available on : Paperback, Nook, Apple Books, Kindle
  • Last updated : September 29, 2025

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by

House of El Book One: The Shadow Threat Poster Image

What to Read Next

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate