Kingdom Come
Author: Mark Waid (writer) Alex Ross (art)
Genre: Graphic Novel, Superhero
Pages: 232
Finished: Yes
Final Rating: 8.2/10
Final Rating: 8.2/10
Kingdom Come is an Elseworlds story, which I guess means it's not part of the DC canon, or the main continuity or whatever.
Set in the near future where the Justice League has all retired, a new breed of superhero has emerged. These new superheroes are the progeny of the old guard, but lack any of the restraint or respect of their forebears. They spontaneously do battle in the streets just for funsies, but have little regard for the lives of the common folk that is forced to exist among them.
Kingdome Come is a kind of dark story, where Superman and Wonder Woman come into conflict with Bruce Wayne and Lex Luthor while trying to restore the respectability of superheroes. These two factions flirt dangerously with fascism and terrorism in an attempt to restore order to the world. Superman, Batman, et al. all sport the classic signs of aging, driving home that this is a new world and their old-fashioned approach might not be appropriate anymore.
The story is told through the eyes of everyman minister Norman McKay, as The Spectre recruits him to help judge the coming Armageddon. Norman is the audience insert, and The Spectre helpfully provides all the necessary exposition and backstory you would need, which came in handy since I'm not a big DC comics guy.
Alex Ross' painted gouache (had to look that one up) art is probably my favorite part of the book. Every face, from the background characters to the main actors is so wonderfully illustrated; characters' emotions leap from the page. This is going to sound weird, but comics tend to be a bit wordy - this is unnecessary with Ross' art.
I'm not into the superhero genre so much anymore, but I think Kingdom Come would be considered required reading for those who are. Of course, if you are one of those fans, chances are you've read this already, so... uh, carry on?
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