Kingdom Come #3

Kingdom Come

by Mark Waid, Alex Ross (Artist)

The Justice League finds even more resistance to their efforts towards peace than they expected. Forced to construct a massive prison to keep the more volatile heroes under control, Superman and Wonder Woman debate the ethical implications of their actions, and Batman marshals forces of his own…

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Comic Book, Superman, Superheroes, Bande Dessinée

47 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[Katherine (Kat)]

Once again, sort of stuck between a 2.5 and a 3 star out of 5.

At one point during the first two issues the art amazed me, but during this issue I noticed that all the faces basically look the same. One example being Power Girl, and even Wonder Woman look exactly like Lex Luthor in a wig because of how similar their faces are drawn.

[Urbon Adamsson]

Not much else to add to what I said before.

Really curious for the conclusion in the next volume.

[Vyshakh Aravindan]

Kingdom Come #3 – “Up in the Sky”
The emotional powder keg builds here — alliances fracture, paranoia spikes, and the moral greys intensify, especially with the chilling return of Captain Marvel under Luthor’s control. The art continues to shine, with haunting imagery and deeply expressive faces. Yet, the issue sometimes feels bogged down by setup and talking heads, and even though the dread is palpable, the pacing again favors tension over momentum — it's brilliant, but it asks for patience.

[Matt]

DNF.... more talking with almost no action!
I won't bother with the last issue.

[Andrew Ives]

As with the previous two episodes, the Alex Ross artwork is quite wonderful and yet has a certain 1940s style. The story though... it's so melodramatic, a little repetitive and the craziness is getting beyond me. 3/5 entirely for the pictures.

[Emilio Arias H.]

[ Tomo número 3 de 4 ]

Historia que habla de la toma de decisiones, los errores, los miedos, la humanidad.
Aunque me gusta el hecho de que el personaje del cura sea espectador de lo que sucede, las citas bíblicas no me terminan de convencer. En uno de los tantos mensajes, se nos dice que el cura (la religión) está ahí para encarrilarnos cuando estemos pasando los peores momentos.
Superman está en una posición idealista, pero se le va todo de las manos cuando se desata la batalla final (aunque pienso que antes tampoco tenía la situación totalmente controlada). Wonder Woman se la ve mucho más segura y decidida a actuar, aunque luego se va de mambo en la pelea.
Hay varias cositas que son algo inverosímiles y no tienen mucha explicación (o yo no supe entenderlas). Por ejemplo, el motivo por el cual los superhumanos (toda persona con superpoderes) se la pasan peleando entre sí constantemente (me refiero al principio de la historia). Se llega a decir: "Ya no luchan por la razón. Pelean solo por pelear, y sus únicos enemigos son ellos mismos". O sea, ¿pelean entre sí por diversión?, ¿a falta de supervillanos? ¿O acaso están aburridos y no tienen nada mejor que hacer? No sé, este detalle argumental me parece algo ridículo y de poca consistencia. Y otra cosa es la actitud de Batman: es ambigua al comienzo, y hasta diría que no se ajusta con su personalidad.
¿Y qué puedo decir del dibujo hiperrealista de Alex Ross? Encaja a la perfección con la grandilocuencia de la historia.
En resumen, son interesantes las cuestiones intrínsecamente humanas que se plantean. Cómo los dioses no suplen al ser humano, y es el hombre mismo quien tiene que tomar las riendas de su vida y su futuro.

[Devin Wilson]

Not unlike in my review of #2, I'm going to complain about the sheer power of the cast in this.

It's just something I generally struggle with. When the cast of characters has SO much power, I just find it unrelatable and alienating.

Conversely, Diana and Clark have a wonderful sit-down with each other in outer space (and I like their broader conflict, for the most part). More of that, please, less cameo vomit.

I'm a little confused by the whole thing between Bruce and Lex.

The art is still special.

[Shibin k]

I was waiting for Captain Marvels role in this one and I'm quite impressed by the way he was presented.
Beware of Batman even in his graveyard.

[itchy]

This is going to be epic.

Now I remember what the art style reminded me of: Max Payne.

Hats off to Aria ・❥・Biblioaria ˚ · ..

[OinkFish Pigs]

H10

[Bookworm Erica]

Solid

[James B]

This is more like it. Ol Billy boy has entered the story. I prefer Wonder Woman as a villain. There is much more action in this one. I'm glad to see Supes finally using common sense.

[Steven Shinder]

It was satisfying seeing Superman stand up to Bruce.

[Max Solis]

La historia se pone cada vez mejor. Superman es el gran redentor del mundo y necesita encontrar su camino. Ahora mismo, todo se ha desmoronado para él y sus planes. La relación con Wonder Woman se está convirtiendo en un estira y afloja por ver quién liderará a la Liga de la Justicia en estos momentos tan difíciles, donde los problemas con los metahumanos encarcelados encienden las calderas y provoca una guerra contra ellos. Diana piensa en la guerra, Kal piensa en educación pacífica. Pero son los métodos de Diana los que convencen a la Liga.

Por otro lado, Bruce está aliado ahora con el Frente de Liberación de la Humanidad, pero solo es una fachada para llevar consigo a J'onn J'onnz y descubrir por qué Billy Batson está en el bando de Lex Luthor. Lo que descubre es aterrador. Durante años, Luthor ha estado manipulando psicológicamente a Billy, haciendo que nunca más volviera a invocar sus poderes como Capitán Marvel. Bruce golpea a Billy y hace que su ejército aprisione a los aliados de Luthor, pero al propio calvo no lo pueden atrapar.

Cuando por fin Billy puede librarse de Luthor, termina invocando sus poderes con su famosa palabra, Shazam, y obedece la última orden que el calvo le había dado. Liberar a los prisioneros del Gulag y tener una oportunidad para matarlos.

[Tim]

I love the "you gotta know who all these characters are" feel of books like this. I'm certainly not as in-the-know as I maybe should be, but, for instance, seeing Doctor Midnight (I think?) lurking around with black smoke pouring from his cowl was pretty great.

[Nuno]

The art is amazing and, if I would have liked the story as much (this is a review of the four books) it would definitely get 4 stars from me. I ended up feeling that much of the story was untold and should have been developed further. Still a good book

[Jessica Young]

A book of beautiful paintings, with an intriguing story and perspective. Alex Ross' work is truly extraordinary.

[Dony Grayman]

Edición mexicana, tomo 1 (de 4). Contenido repetido con el recopilatorio en tapa blanda en inglés, que además contiene un par de páginas extra.

[umarul mukhtar]

You gotta be kidding me..

[Terry]

SHAZAAM!!!