It’s been a little while but I’m back once again with another comic review. Typically, I like to keep this series focused on more independent works. However,  there are still a few books I’d like to spotlight from the big two publishers. Superhero comics have exploded in popularity due to movies and tv series, but it can be quite difficult to wade through the enormous amount of content within the literary space. For the next few reviews, I’m going to be taking a look at some of the books that are regarded as the best within the industry and telling you if they are truly worth your time.

Let’s start with Kingdom Come, published by DC comics. This series is written by Mark Waid with art by Alex Ross. This story totals four issues and is collected within a single graphic novel. This is one of the best aspects of Kingdom Come. There is no need to understand hundreds of crossovers, timelines, or long-running backgrounds. All you need is a baseline knowledge of the Justice League and its core members Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

The story of Kingdom Come takes place in a reimagined modern age. Superheroes have become commercialized. They run rampant throughout the world often abusing their power and engaging in petty conflicts that cause more harm than good. Meanwhile, the heroes of the golden age who once formed the Justice League have mostly faded into the background of society becoming nothing more than a myth.

Eventually, Superman and company decide to take up their mantle of justice once again and remind the world what true heroism is. This eventually leads to a clash of ideologies and a conflict that could spell the end for America. I enjoy the concept of this story a lot. Originally published in 1996, the core themes have only grown more relevant as time goes on. The characters are intelligently written. Though the heroes are often compared to gods they behave much more like real humans, which is to say they are quite flawed. Even Superman, a pillar of hope and justice teeters on the brink of villainy at times.

This story also uses an interesting framing device in the form of Norman McCay. Norman is a minister instructed to observe and judge the approaching conflict by The Spectre, a supernatural spirit of immense power. At first, I found this addition to the story somewhat needless. However, upon reaching the end of the narrative, the significance becomes clear. I found its inclusion adds to the core themes and delivers a unique angle that fits well with the idea of the DC comics universe.

Another fantastic part of this book is the artwork. Alex Ross hand-painted everything in this book and delivers easily one of the most distinctive comic book art styles ever. His style is also extremely fitting for the story being told almost mirroring the fashion and culture of 50s and 60s America. Action scenes are filled to the brim with visuals delivering epic scale that helps enforce the titanic power wielded by these heroes.

The character designs are also top-notch. Ross reimagines virtually the entire DC universe and explores how they would have changed with the passage of time. For example, Batman’s body is so broken by the wear and tear of age that he uses mechanical augmentation to move. Green Lantern piles on excess armor and weaponry to protect himself. It’s quite fun to try picking out all the small changes and characters that make brief cameos within each issue. Additionally, this book also introduces dozens of new heroes, most of which receive little characterization. Instead, they fill out the world and represent the modern opposition for the characters we know and love.

After reflecting on this story quite a bit I can’t really find much in the way of flaws. Most of what I could mention would be simple nitpicks. The religious allegories can be a little excessive at times but without them, I doubt the story would remain so memorable. Much of the concepts explored here have also become quite commonplace within the genre at this point.

If you’ve read a lot of superhero comics as I have, then you might find yourself a little underwhelmed. Also, if you don’t like superheroes I doubt this book will change your perspective on that front. However, if you simply want an intelligently written narrative within the DC universe without a lot of commitment then look no further.

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Kingdom Come

19.99

9.7

Score

9.7/10

Pros

• Beautiful artwork
• Great characterization
• Relevant themes
• Short contained narrative

Cons

• Redundancy and allegory