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Batman/Superman: World's Finest
Batman/Superman: World's Finest Vol. 4: Return to Kingdom Come
Acclaimed writer Mark Waid returns to the world of Kingdom Come alongside artist Dan Mora in an epic adventure uniting two DC universes!
Superman’s former protégé, Boy Thunder, is in danger and the only way to rescue him is to bridge the World’s Finest universe with one that includes a jaded Superman, a broken Batman, and a war-hungry Wonder Woman….this is the world of Kingdom Come. Up against the villainous Magog, the World’s Finest team find themselves trapped in a world on it’s way to an apocalyptic future. Will those who once were friends become foes and what will it take to save both universes?
Collects Batman/Superman: World's Finest #18-24
Superman’s former protégé, Boy Thunder, is in danger and the only way to rescue him is to bridge the World’s Finest universe with one that includes a jaded Superman, a broken Batman, and a war-hungry Wonder Woman….this is the world of Kingdom Come. Up against the villainous Magog, the World’s Finest team find themselves trapped in a world on it’s way to an apocalyptic future. Will those who once were friends become foes and what will it take to save both universes?
Collects Batman/Superman: World's Finest #18-24
144 pages, Paperback
First published September 10, 2024
154 people are currently reading
262 people want to read
About the author
Mark Waid
3,201 books1,290 followersMark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
December 5, 2024
This series, like me when I'm drunk, is consistently entertaining.
Unlike talking to me when I'm drunk, you will not regret reading World's Finest.
Unlike talking to me when I'm drunk, you will not regret reading World's Finest.
March 25, 2024
Nothing less than super both in writing and visuals, World's Finest is proving, once again, to be one of the best runs that's available right now. The build-up is full of comic gold, and the multiverse climax feels grand in scale. With some fantastic character choices and a gripping narrative, it's an absolute treat from start to finish.
actual rating: 4.5 stars
actual rating: 4.5 stars
December 17, 2024
8.1/10
We are back to the world of Kingdom Come!! Also we finally get to know what happened to Boy Thunder.
There is a lot going on here and this could easily turn into a soulless battle of high stakes, because there is a lot of action and too many characters. However, Waid manages to keep this grounded and to give heart to the story, by focusing mostly on Superman. He does and excellent job on showing Clark's qualities and his personality. Why he is who he is and why he is so important.
I what each person brings to the table and how everything comes together in the end.
Alongside Waid's good writing, we have Mora's beautiful art. So there really isn't much to complain here.
We are back to the world of Kingdom Come!! Also we finally get to know what happened to Boy Thunder.
There is a lot going on here and this could easily turn into a soulless battle of high stakes, because there is a lot of action and too many characters. However, Waid manages to keep this grounded and to give heart to the story, by focusing mostly on Superman. He does and excellent job on showing Clark's qualities and his personality. Why he is who he is and why he is so important.
I what each person brings to the table and how everything comes together in the end.
Alongside Waid's good writing, we have Mora's beautiful art. So there really isn't much to complain here.
February 20, 2025
Remember Thunder Boy from the second volume? Well, Batman and Superman have found him...and he's a disciple of Gog on an alternate Earth. Now, I haven't read Kingdom Come in probably twenty years, so all the Gog and Magog stuff mostly sailed over my head. That said, Waid does a fine job of reintroducing the characters and their deals, so I never felt too left behind (I just probably missed all the fun Easter eggs).
The whole thing leads up to a giant superhero battle , so yeah: great stuff, looks gorgeous, continues the trend of this series simply being fun comic book goodness.
The whole thing leads up to a giant superhero battle , so yeah: great stuff, looks gorgeous, continues the trend of this series simply being fun comic book goodness.
February 20, 2025
Mark Waid re-explores the first meeting between Batman and Superman, which was an enjoyable read.
In the second half, he returns to the world of Kingdom Come, adding some interesting twists and details. The story is aided by the art of Dan Mora, which is always a welcome sight to the eyes.
In the second half, he returns to the world of Kingdom Come, adding some interesting twists and details. The story is aided by the art of Dan Mora, which is always a welcome sight to the eyes.
March 8, 2025
The reveal of Magog at the end of the last volume was a nice "holy shit" moment that took me completely by surprise.
I liked revisiting the Kingdom Come universe, particularly since it was originally created by Mark Waid, so it feels more legit than if some other random author decided to set a story in that universe.
I get tired of seeing Batman and Superman fighting each other or alternate versions of each other, which is something that this series has mostly avoided up until this point. It just feels so reductive that they have to go through the same song and dance every time.
As usual Dan Mora's art is fantastic.
I liked revisiting the Kingdom Come universe, particularly since it was originally created by Mark Waid, so it feels more legit than if some other random author decided to set a story in that universe.
I get tired of seeing Batman and Superman fighting each other or alternate versions of each other, which is something that this series has mostly avoided up until this point. It just feels so reductive that they have to go through the same song and dance every time.
As usual Dan Mora's art is fantastic.
April 5, 2025
During the first year of Mark Waid and Dan Mora’s fantastic run on Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, the second arc introduced David Sikela AKA Boy Thunder, who temporarily served as the Man of Steel’s sidekick before pulled into another dimension. During this arc, it was revealed that David would become Magog, a major character in Waid and Alex Ross’ acclaimed miniseries Kingdom Come. Sometime later, it was announced that this series would do an arc set in Earth-22 and here it is.
As the Flash does one of his hobbies, which is to map the multiverse, he discovers the whereabouts of David. As the Flash informs Batman and Superman about what happened to their lost friend, both heroes ride on the cosmic treadmill and travel to Earth-22 where its heroes have no knowledge of the multiverse and are consumed by the thrall of the all-powerful Gog and his disciple, the former Boy Thunder now turned Thunderman.
Serving as a prequel to the events of Kingdom Come, it is worth reading the 1996 miniseries before jumping into this arc, which also serves as a nice epilogue to the acclaimed story. Although the comic presented a dark alternate future for the DC superheroes, Mark Waid has never been cynical when it comes to these characters, who may stand on the edge of the abyss, but lose their place in the sun. No doubt this is the darkest storyline that World’s Finest has done, as we see Batman and Superman being shocked by the state of this other world where heroes including versions of themselves can be brainwashed by Gog as well as their former colleague.
Although the prospect of a Kingdom Come prequel isn’t the most enticing, it is impressive in how Mark Waid expands upon the world-building, whether it is who founded the restaurant chain Planet Krypton, or the tragic origin story of David becoming Magog who is among the new and violent generation of superheroes that would define Earth-22. With superheroes, particularly from DC, owing a debt to mythologies of old such as Greek gods – something that Jack Kirby took a step further with his Fourth World series – Mark Waid goes deep with mythology with this arc, which I think would delight The King himself, not least of which Darkseid appears in the climax and it’s glorious.
The world of Kingdom Come has been revisited in subsequent DC titles, the original miniseries will forever be defined by co-creator Alex Ross’s painted interiors that a classical and grand presentation to this alternate universe. Dan Mora is obviously a different artist to Ross, but in recent years, he has proven himself as one of the most exciting artists at DC. Considering this series is centrally about the adventures of the Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader, World’s Finest still allows Mora to draw so many heroes and villains from the DC Universe, or in this case of this arc, draw multiple versions of these characters, including Ross’ iconic revisions that have influenced subsequent media.
Considering that World’s Finest is the most exciting book that DC is currently publishing, it is no surprise that Mark Waid and Dan Mora are doing the upcoming Justice League Unlimited this year, where they will hopefully do greater things in the DC Universe. As for “Return to Kingdom Come”, this is the best arc of the entire run so far as it honours the legacy of an all-time DC classic.
As the Flash does one of his hobbies, which is to map the multiverse, he discovers the whereabouts of David. As the Flash informs Batman and Superman about what happened to their lost friend, both heroes ride on the cosmic treadmill and travel to Earth-22 where its heroes have no knowledge of the multiverse and are consumed by the thrall of the all-powerful Gog and his disciple, the former Boy Thunder now turned Thunderman.
Serving as a prequel to the events of Kingdom Come, it is worth reading the 1996 miniseries before jumping into this arc, which also serves as a nice epilogue to the acclaimed story. Although the comic presented a dark alternate future for the DC superheroes, Mark Waid has never been cynical when it comes to these characters, who may stand on the edge of the abyss, but lose their place in the sun. No doubt this is the darkest storyline that World’s Finest has done, as we see Batman and Superman being shocked by the state of this other world where heroes including versions of themselves can be brainwashed by Gog as well as their former colleague.
Although the prospect of a Kingdom Come prequel isn’t the most enticing, it is impressive in how Mark Waid expands upon the world-building, whether it is who founded the restaurant chain Planet Krypton, or the tragic origin story of David becoming Magog who is among the new and violent generation of superheroes that would define Earth-22. With superheroes, particularly from DC, owing a debt to mythologies of old such as Greek gods – something that Jack Kirby took a step further with his Fourth World series – Mark Waid goes deep with mythology with this arc, which I think would delight The King himself, not least of which Darkseid appears in the climax and it’s glorious.
The world of Kingdom Come has been revisited in subsequent DC titles, the original miniseries will forever be defined by co-creator Alex Ross’s painted interiors that a classical and grand presentation to this alternate universe. Dan Mora is obviously a different artist to Ross, but in recent years, he has proven himself as one of the most exciting artists at DC. Considering this series is centrally about the adventures of the Man of Steel and the Caped Crusader, World’s Finest still allows Mora to draw so many heroes and villains from the DC Universe, or in this case of this arc, draw multiple versions of these characters, including Ross’ iconic revisions that have influenced subsequent media.
Considering that World’s Finest is the most exciting book that DC is currently publishing, it is no surprise that Mark Waid and Dan Mora are doing the upcoming Justice League Unlimited this year, where they will hopefully do greater things in the DC Universe. As for “Return to Kingdom Come”, this is the best arc of the entire run so far as it honours the legacy of an all-time DC classic.
February 23, 2025
A good return to one of DC's biggest and most iconic storylines and universe's. Did it deliver as big as the original, not quite but a good attempt.
Superman's side kick David has been found on Earth-22 (the Kingdom Come universe). Superman and Batman follow, but how much time has passed, and what changes has David hone through, or has he found his destiny?
I like the interaction between the younger Batman & Superman (from the main universe) and the older Batman & Superman (from Kingdom Come). This might be considered a prequel to Kingdom Come if I look at it from that perspective it think mission accomplished. The book finishes with a varient cover gallery.
Superman's side kick David has been found on Earth-22 (the Kingdom Come universe). Superman and Batman follow, but how much time has passed, and what changes has David hone through, or has he found his destiny?
I like the interaction between the younger Batman & Superman (from the main universe) and the older Batman & Superman (from Kingdom Come). This might be considered a prequel to Kingdom Come if I look at it from that perspective it think mission accomplished. The book finishes with a varient cover gallery.
January 1, 2025
This was another great volume of Waid magic.
Actually, the first story collected here, which is a two-part (sort of) ret-con of how Bats and Supes first met, was entertaining enough but didn’t blow me away as much as most of this run has done.
The second story, though, was another thing entirely. In this one, B & S find themselves transported to the parallel universe where the classic Elseworlds tale ‘Kingdom Come’ took place.
Now, ‘Kingdom Come’ may be my favourite DC story ever (possibly) and Waid, Mora and co. really did it justice. I suppose this story acts as a kind of prequel to the original story and it was a real blast.
Overall, I’m giving this collection 3.6 stars.
Actually, the first story collected here, which is a two-part (sort of) ret-con of how Bats and Supes first met, was entertaining enough but didn’t blow me away as much as most of this run has done.
The second story, though, was another thing entirely. In this one, B & S find themselves transported to the parallel universe where the classic Elseworlds tale ‘Kingdom Come’ took place.
Now, ‘Kingdom Come’ may be my favourite DC story ever (possibly) and Waid, Mora and co. really did it justice. I suppose this story acts as a kind of prequel to the original story and it was a real blast.
Overall, I’m giving this collection 3.6 stars.
April 18, 2025
Spoilers aplenty...
This Volume should be called "Kingdom Come Prequel" or "Setup of Kingdom Come". Turns out David, the young superpowered boy from Volume 2, has ended up on Earth-22 and taken the name Thunderman. When Batman and Superman are able to use Flash's treadmill to make their way to E-22 to find David, they soon learn that all the superheroes are enthralled to Gog, and David feels abandoned. Our Batman and Superman must fight themselves and other alternates of the Justice League before they are freed from Gog. Turning David into Magog, Gog invites a fight against heroes and Darkseid before his defeat by Magog himself, so that Darkseid wouldn't get a piece of the Anti-Life Equation.
Overall a pretty good Volume, as well as a reminder to go re-read Kingdom Come, because that story was so good...
This Volume should be called "Kingdom Come Prequel" or "Setup of Kingdom Come". Turns out David, the young superpowered boy from Volume 2, has ended up on Earth-22 and taken the name Thunderman. When Batman and Superman are able to use Flash's treadmill to make their way to E-22 to find David, they soon learn that all the superheroes are enthralled to Gog, and David feels abandoned. Our Batman and Superman must fight themselves and other alternates of the Justice League before they are freed from Gog. Turning David into Magog, Gog invites a fight against heroes and Darkseid before his defeat by Magog himself, so that Darkseid wouldn't get a piece of the Anti-Life Equation.
Overall a pretty good Volume, as well as a reminder to go re-read Kingdom Come, because that story was so good...
January 6, 2026
DILF Bruce and Clark will always be 5 stars.
August 18, 2025
I actually enjoyed this more than the original Kingdom Come, and I also feel like I understand Kingdom Come better after having read this. Definitely a worthy prequel/sequel.
December 14, 2024
This gotta be one of the best comics I have read. I am thankful that I have already read Kingdom come because it wouldn't have hit the same.
This time around, I liked David A LOT more than the previous time. His character arc was really awesome to see, with ups and downs and with a bittersweet ending.
I loved seeing the Supe and Bat and all the rest of the cast of Kingdom come, as I really LOVE their design and universe.
Gog was a really good villain, with an awesome backstory and a goal that is understandable and makes me hesitate whether to truly call him a villain or not. He certainly represents the quote:
"Every villain is a hero in his own mind."
This volume was such a joy to read and made me very excited for the upcoming ones. Also Dan Mora's art is just out of this universe.
This time around, I liked David A LOT more than the previous time. His character arc was really awesome to see, with ups and downs and with a bittersweet ending.
I loved seeing the Supe and Bat and all the rest of the cast of Kingdom come, as I really LOVE their design and universe.
Gog was a really good villain, with an awesome backstory and a goal that is understandable and makes me hesitate whether to truly call him a villain or not. He certainly represents the quote:
"Every villain is a hero in his own mind."
This volume was such a joy to read and made me very excited for the upcoming ones. Also Dan Mora's art is just out of this universe.
October 7, 2024
Oh man, was Waid playing the long game here when he wrote Kingdom Come years ago, or was this just something he developed as he started this book? Either way, this volume serves as both a prolog and epilog to KC in a thrilling manner.
Thunder Boy is back, and his transformation is confusing to Superman and Batman after traveling to Earth-22 on the advice of The Flash, who notices Thunder Boy in a rather submissive posture to something dark and powerful. The twists and turns are something to see, and the surprise reveal near the end was unexpected. I won't spoil that one, but it has to be read to be believed, especially if you're a fan of the original Kingdom Come (and why wouldn't you be?)
Dan Mora's art is superb here as always. He captures the differences in Earth-22's Batman and Superman very well. He knocks it out of the park every issue.
This whole comic book series is highly recommended. DC's best these days.
Thunder Boy is back, and his transformation is confusing to Superman and Batman after traveling to Earth-22 on the advice of The Flash, who notices Thunder Boy in a rather submissive posture to something dark and powerful. The twists and turns are something to see, and the surprise reveal near the end was unexpected. I won't spoil that one, but it has to be read to be believed, especially if you're a fan of the original Kingdom Come (and why wouldn't you be?)
Dan Mora's art is superb here as always. He captures the differences in Earth-22's Batman and Superman very well. He knocks it out of the park every issue.
This whole comic book series is highly recommended. DC's best these days.
June 12, 2025
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest Vol. 3 – Return to Kingdom Come is pure comic book joy from start to finish. Mark Waid crafts a smart, energetic return to one of DC’s most iconic storylines without ever feeling like a retread. It pays homage to Kingdom Come while carving out its own fun, fast-paced narrative.
The dynamic between Batman and Superman continues to shine, and the expanded cast only adds to the excitement. The stakes are high, the pacing is tight, and Dan Mora’s art is as bold and vibrant as ever—seriously, every page pops.
It’s big, bright superhero storytelling done right: fun, emotional, and packed with heart. A great volume that balances nostalgia with fresh energy.
The dynamic between Batman and Superman continues to shine, and the expanded cast only adds to the excitement. The stakes are high, the pacing is tight, and Dan Mora’s art is as bold and vibrant as ever—seriously, every page pops.
It’s big, bright superhero storytelling done right: fun, emotional, and packed with heart. A great volume that balances nostalgia with fresh energy.
November 15, 2024
Best of worlds finest so far with a very climactic plot and characters throughout.
October 12, 2024
Great ending to the kingdom come storyline.
March 23, 2025
“This is no longer just a fight for EARTH! It’s for the WHOLE COSMOS!”
It’s funny, if you had told me ten/twelve years ago that Waid would come around to a side sequel/prequel to Kingdom Come, truly that would have been the ONLY thing I would be physically allowed to talk about until it started to hit.
But cut to now and I’ve just finished it and been entertained largely by it and thought it was very pretty at times (the Supermans Dual Punch to Gog is a particularly “fuck yeah” moment) but then sat for ten more minutes and went like…”well, at least it’s mostly clean?”
Truly I really don’t know what else more you can say about Kingdom Come that Kingdom Come doesn’t already and this doesn’t much…add either to its lasting legacy or thesis so I’m just kinda sat here with maybe my least favorite WF volume to date?
Figure THAT one out, Twentysomething Justin!
I will say, I do kinda love the extra layer of culpability this puts on Prime Superman and how Waid finally just has to explicitly go “Kingdom Come Superman gave up, but the “real” Superman (IE whatever Superman is the one you love the most) will never give up.” Also loving his consistently hitting “Superman never lies” as a plot mechanism. It plays alongside Williamson’s characterization and ethos really nicely and I really appreciate that (everybody should read Williamson’s Supes. It’s the real deal).
But yeah! Very pretty! It moves nicely! Little flat thematically. They can’t all be winners! Even when this IS mostly a win!
It’s funny, if you had told me ten/twelve years ago that Waid would come around to a side sequel/prequel to Kingdom Come, truly that would have been the ONLY thing I would be physically allowed to talk about until it started to hit.
But cut to now and I’ve just finished it and been entertained largely by it and thought it was very pretty at times (the Supermans Dual Punch to Gog is a particularly “fuck yeah” moment) but then sat for ten more minutes and went like…”well, at least it’s mostly clean?”
Truly I really don’t know what else more you can say about Kingdom Come that Kingdom Come doesn’t already and this doesn’t much…add either to its lasting legacy or thesis so I’m just kinda sat here with maybe my least favorite WF volume to date?
Figure THAT one out, Twentysomething Justin!
I will say, I do kinda love the extra layer of culpability this puts on Prime Superman and how Waid finally just has to explicitly go “Kingdom Come Superman gave up, but the “real” Superman (IE whatever Superman is the one you love the most) will never give up.” Also loving his consistently hitting “Superman never lies” as a plot mechanism. It plays alongside Williamson’s characterization and ethos really nicely and I really appreciate that (everybody should read Williamson’s Supes. It’s the real deal).
But yeah! Very pretty! It moves nicely! Little flat thematically. They can’t all be winners! Even when this IS mostly a win!
July 27, 2025
i think i get where they are going with this and im okay with it now. after the first volume i wasn't expecting this type of dark approach in terms of writing since they did not start that heavy from the get go. as much as i love dan mora's art i think it kinda tricked me into this belief of that i am going to read a funny story about batman and superman but after this volume i can clearly say that his work goes well with this type of stuff too. not my style to write this type of review to things but i really wanted to get this out of my chest.
April 5, 2025
It is hard to live up to the power and meaning of the Kingdom Come storyline, but this does an excellent job honoring the spirit of the original.
August 17, 2025
No but I’m seriously on David’s side about killing Grog so Darkseid would piss off. “Oh but superheroes don’t kill” but other heroes allows Suicide Squad to do their shit? 🤨
May 26, 2025
clark covered in blood #needthat
December 26, 2025
Mark Waid returns to his masterpiece, Kingdom Come, with a prequel/sequel that also pays off some previous plot threads. Dan Mora and Tamra Bonvillan couldn’t be more stylistically different from Alex Ross, but they breathe new life into this world. It all feels additive and earned.
October 15, 2024
3.5-
While I'm not sure we needed a story giving the background of Kingdom Come, I appreciated that the while thing was completed in this one volume. It wasn't bad.
A god named Gog refuses to take part in a civil war on his home planet and is the only one left after the Third World destroys itself in a civil war (which spawns the creation of the Fourth World, Genesis and Apokolips). All the Third World gods go to Valhalla for dying in righteous battle. Gog meets Meteon and the two eventually end up on Earth, guiding and protecting humans as the evolve.
It just all felt a little weird, like they were trying to show-horn in a backstory to a wildly successful storyline, but it didn't quite fit.
While I'm not sure we needed a story giving the background of Kingdom Come, I appreciated that the while thing was completed in this one volume. It wasn't bad.
A god named Gog refuses to take part in a civil war on his home planet and is the only one left after the Third World destroys itself in a civil war (which spawns the creation of the Fourth World, Genesis and Apokolips). All the Third World gods go to Valhalla for dying in righteous battle. Gog meets Meteon and the two eventually end up on Earth, guiding and protecting humans as the evolve.
It just all felt a little weird, like they were trying to show-horn in a backstory to a wildly successful storyline, but it didn't quite fit.
February 13, 2025
Kingdom Come is Mark Waid's greatest contribution to DC, if not all of comicdom. He's written many other classics, but Earth 22 is heralded as a critical and commercial success for the company in making a story that has heart, is thought provoking, and ultimately gives us hope in the future of superheroes.
In my opinion, Waid should have left the book where it ended 20+ years ago. The story had a beginning, middle, and end, and was perfect from start to finish. For me, I did not need an origin of Magog or a closer tie to Superman's mythos.
The story basically gives us a retcon that Superman briefly had a sidekick, David, known as Boy Thunder. He'd travelled dimensions and gotten trapped in the Kingdom Come universe, where he grew to be Thunderman. Eventually, we find that David and the rest of the DC pantheon are working for Gog, a god of the third world that was destroyed in battle, and ultimately recreated into the fourth world.
All of this could be super interesting. I thought it was to a point. But where I think the book fails to capture my interest is in the tone. Kingdom Come feels slow and methodical in its pacing. It doesn't take interest in being pure action and the point is to show us the discussions and contemplative nature of Clark after a world denies his values.
This book is a different tone. Dan Mora's art is not made to be used in that same tone, and Waid knows this. As beautiful as Mora's renders are, both of our classic DC Universe, and the bleak future version, I don't think it matches the tone necessary to tell this story.
Waid has said that he's known Magog's origin this whole time and has been waiting to tell it. If Waid had wanted to tell that story, it would've been done back in the late 90s or early 00s when he was at his creative peak. But even if that's true, and he's been saving it, was there much of a point?
The book just doubles down on the story of Kingdom Come, and is entirely unnecessary. Our versions of Superman and Batman are flung into the multiverse to go find David since he was still a child when he disappeared. They see the future of this Earth, and are distraught by the actions of their counterparts.
The art is good and the characters feel consistent at least. Waid still has a strong love for the continuity of both Earths, which I appreciate in his writing. Mora is still one of the best in the business regardless of how I feel about him covering this book. His recreation of Ross's fight of Superman and Captain Marvel towards the end of Kingdom Come is actually great and feels like a really great homage while adding more motion and dynamism to the page.
There are plenty of good things here as mentioned before. But they're not GREAT, which is sad of a continuation of one of DC's greatest stories ever told. While I don't think that every story needs to be the greatest of all time, I expected more from the methodical and slow burn that is Kingdom Come.
In my opinion, Waid should have left the book where it ended 20+ years ago. The story had a beginning, middle, and end, and was perfect from start to finish. For me, I did not need an origin of Magog or a closer tie to Superman's mythos.
The story basically gives us a retcon that Superman briefly had a sidekick, David, known as Boy Thunder. He'd travelled dimensions and gotten trapped in the Kingdom Come universe, where he grew to be Thunderman. Eventually, we find that David and the rest of the DC pantheon are working for Gog, a god of the third world that was destroyed in battle, and ultimately recreated into the fourth world.
All of this could be super interesting. I thought it was to a point. But where I think the book fails to capture my interest is in the tone. Kingdom Come feels slow and methodical in its pacing. It doesn't take interest in being pure action and the point is to show us the discussions and contemplative nature of Clark after a world denies his values.
This book is a different tone. Dan Mora's art is not made to be used in that same tone, and Waid knows this. As beautiful as Mora's renders are, both of our classic DC Universe, and the bleak future version, I don't think it matches the tone necessary to tell this story.
Waid has said that he's known Magog's origin this whole time and has been waiting to tell it. If Waid had wanted to tell that story, it would've been done back in the late 90s or early 00s when he was at his creative peak. But even if that's true, and he's been saving it, was there much of a point?
The book just doubles down on the story of Kingdom Come, and is entirely unnecessary. Our versions of Superman and Batman are flung into the multiverse to go find David since he was still a child when he disappeared. They see the future of this Earth, and are distraught by the actions of their counterparts.
The art is good and the characters feel consistent at least. Waid still has a strong love for the continuity of both Earths, which I appreciate in his writing. Mora is still one of the best in the business regardless of how I feel about him covering this book. His recreation of Ross's fight of Superman and Captain Marvel towards the end of Kingdom Come is actually great and feels like a really great homage while adding more motion and dynamism to the page.
There are plenty of good things here as mentioned before. But they're not GREAT, which is sad of a continuation of one of DC's greatest stories ever told. While I don't think that every story needs to be the greatest of all time, I expected more from the methodical and slow burn that is Kingdom Come.
January 13, 2026
Mark Waid returns to the world of Kingdom Come - one of his (and DC’s) most famous stories. Like in the original, which Alex Ross provided the art for, this book’s shining star is the art. This time, we get Dan Mora, who continues to produce an insurmountable amount of work for DC. Seriously, how does this man do it? And it’s not like it’s bad art. It’s fantastic art.
Anyway, I rate this one at a 3.5/5 with a generous rounding.
Some spoilers below…
Overall, the idea of using David / Thunderboy (introduced in volume 2) as Magog is a pretty good one. This gives Magog a “definite” backstory and shows that Waid had a plan for this series this whole time. In practice, however, the execution leaves a lot to be desired - and it’s mainly related to how Waid handles the character to make his point regarding the no-kill rule and to contrast him with Superman.
I can at least understand how this conflict works in Kingdom Come, where Magog killing the Joker is meant to clash with Superman’s ideals, especially with how Metropolis and the world respond to this event - even if that framing is already debatable. I mean… it’s the Joker, ffs. Just do ie already, Bruce.
But here it’s worse. We learn that Gog is a manipulative god-level menace that has been spreading his seeds in the Kingdom Come universe for a while now. And Gog is about to cause the deaths of billions! Darkseid, who of course IS, stands to benefit from Gog’s being/brain and get what he’s always desired - that pesky anti-life equation. At this point, near the climax of the story, Magog seizes the opportunity to destroy Gog and deny Darkseid of his ultimate goal, therefore saving the multiverse in the process. Yay! Good job, Magog! I mean, don’t gloat about it, but still, good job! Nope - he’s then chastised by everyone - this being led by two Supermen and two Batman.
The story reduces the “no-kill villains” debate to a simplistic, black-and-white ideology, which feels out of place in a medium built on moral gray areas and literal splashes of color everywhere.
That said, it’s not all bad. Again, the art is beautiful, we return to a story that’s beloved by many, Magog does get a redemption arc and a sense of peace in the end, and the epilogue provides a welcome closure for the Kingdom Come world.
Anyway, I rate this one at a 3.5/5 with a generous rounding.
Some spoilers below…
Overall, the idea of using David / Thunderboy (introduced in volume 2) as Magog is a pretty good one. This gives Magog a “definite” backstory and shows that Waid had a plan for this series this whole time. In practice, however, the execution leaves a lot to be desired - and it’s mainly related to how Waid handles the character to make his point regarding the no-kill rule and to contrast him with Superman.
I can at least understand how this conflict works in Kingdom Come, where Magog killing the Joker is meant to clash with Superman’s ideals, especially with how Metropolis and the world respond to this event - even if that framing is already debatable. I mean… it’s the Joker, ffs. Just do ie already, Bruce.
But here it’s worse. We learn that Gog is a manipulative god-level menace that has been spreading his seeds in the Kingdom Come universe for a while now. And Gog is about to cause the deaths of billions! Darkseid, who of course IS, stands to benefit from Gog’s being/brain and get what he’s always desired - that pesky anti-life equation. At this point, near the climax of the story, Magog seizes the opportunity to destroy Gog and deny Darkseid of his ultimate goal, therefore saving the multiverse in the process. Yay! Good job, Magog! I mean, don’t gloat about it, but still, good job! Nope - he’s then chastised by everyone - this being led by two Supermen and two Batman.
The story reduces the “no-kill villains” debate to a simplistic, black-and-white ideology, which feels out of place in a medium built on moral gray areas and literal splashes of color everywhere.
That said, it’s not all bad. Again, the art is beautiful, we return to a story that’s beloved by many, Magog does get a redemption arc and a sense of peace in the end, and the epilogue provides a welcome closure for the Kingdom Come world.
March 27, 2024
This remains some of my favorite stuff that I have ever read and yeah I binged through these issues 18-24 and it was so fun and I am writing this review almost a month after initially reading them and it was so awesome seriously, its like some of the finest stories I have read!
Like how Batman and Superman met first yet again and its fun take involving some obscure villains and something with Phantom king and you see how Clark rescues his would-be best friend and from the get go you see the magic of this dynamic duo and their friendship is so well written and Mark waid thrives on such writing.
The next story sees Clark and Bruce travelling to the Kingdom come universe and lemme tell you its one of the best sequels except its a prequel and its so GOOD! Like every issues was a blast to read from the coming of Thunderman aka Boy thunder and the twist with him and who he is working for aka GOG, and the way Mark waid integrates the character back to his run was so epic and his take on this villain is amazing and you see the heroes of this world and teases of what will happen to them and this universe's Batman and Superman and how they are the enemies but then the allies, and how it brings DARKSEID and the fourth world mythos and wraps that too and that new origin for GOG and the DC cosmic tales is fabulous!
I always love these kinds of stories and wow Waid never disappoints because this is freaking awesome, the retcons is amazing and the battle between the old and new gods is epic and the way it challenges our heroes is amazing to read about and also leads straight into Kingdom come and if you read it all together it makes for one giant amazing read and so yeah from that angle I love it even more! Dan Mora's rendition of so many heroes and in particular Darkseid was so awesome to see and his art just keeps getting better and better, he maybe the best artist in comic atm and this run is always so fun to read and I had a great time reading it and can't wait to read it again someday!
Like how Batman and Superman met first yet again and its fun take involving some obscure villains and something with Phantom king and you see how Clark rescues his would-be best friend and from the get go you see the magic of this dynamic duo and their friendship is so well written and Mark waid thrives on such writing.
The next story sees Clark and Bruce travelling to the Kingdom come universe and lemme tell you its one of the best sequels except its a prequel and its so GOOD! Like every issues was a blast to read from the coming of Thunderman aka Boy thunder and the twist with him and who he is working for aka GOG, and the way Mark waid integrates the character back to his run was so epic and his take on this villain is amazing and you see the heroes of this world and teases of what will happen to them and this universe's Batman and Superman and how they are the enemies but then the allies, and how it brings DARKSEID and the fourth world mythos and wraps that too and that new origin for GOG and the DC cosmic tales is fabulous!
I always love these kinds of stories and wow Waid never disappoints because this is freaking awesome, the retcons is amazing and the battle between the old and new gods is epic and the way it challenges our heroes is amazing to read about and also leads straight into Kingdom come and if you read it all together it makes for one giant amazing read and so yeah from that angle I love it even more! Dan Mora's rendition of so many heroes and in particular Darkseid was so awesome to see and his art just keeps getting better and better, he maybe the best artist in comic atm and this run is always so fun to read and I had a great time reading it and can't wait to read it again someday!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2024
It's good to see this story revisiting the continuity of Kingdom Come, and expand upon the backstories of those characters, how they came to their sorry, miserable, defeated states.
Also, a good bookend to the story of David, introduced at the beginning of this run. The kid had serious Jason Todd vibes going for him. Even though he had Rafael level of anger issues, you feel bad for the kid, going through the entire cocktail of survivor guilt induced PTSD trauma, with a whole bunch of reality hopping side effects added on top.
Even though Magog was a character you saw only in the Kingdom Come reality, and one that seemed to be created for the express purpose of serving as a more violent foil to Superman, it's good to get more fleshed-out backstory for him. As well as a cathartic ending for his arc of suffering and guilt.
Even without those, there is also a whole cavalcade worth of action scenes to keep even the most hardcore fans engaged; with a duplex serving of Bats & Supes.
Not to mention how, this reality's version of Darkseid, casually bodying most of the major leaguers like flies. Darkseid in a Justice League story is always a win.
The only negative one may speak of, is how characters other than the dynamic duo doesn't get much meat to chew on; basically, just appearing as glorified muscle to deal with the big baddies. But then again, it's in the title.
Here's hoping for more interesting cross-over stories. Perhaps, next time, let's try and focus on the duo's unconventional, awkward but wholesome friendship more than world ending threats.
Also, a good bookend to the story of David, introduced at the beginning of this run. The kid had serious Jason Todd vibes going for him. Even though he had Rafael level of anger issues, you feel bad for the kid, going through the entire cocktail of survivor guilt induced PTSD trauma, with a whole bunch of reality hopping side effects added on top.
Even though Magog was a character you saw only in the Kingdom Come reality, and one that seemed to be created for the express purpose of serving as a more violent foil to Superman, it's good to get more fleshed-out backstory for him. As well as a cathartic ending for his arc of suffering and guilt.
Even without those, there is also a whole cavalcade worth of action scenes to keep even the most hardcore fans engaged; with a duplex serving of Bats & Supes.
Not to mention how, this reality's version of Darkseid, casually bodying most of the major leaguers like flies. Darkseid in a Justice League story is always a win.
The only negative one may speak of, is how characters other than the dynamic duo doesn't get much meat to chew on; basically, just appearing as glorified muscle to deal with the big baddies. But then again, it's in the title.
Here's hoping for more interesting cross-over stories. Perhaps, next time, let's try and focus on the duo's unconventional, awkward but wholesome friendship more than world ending threats.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 30, 2024
As teased in World's Finest, Vol. 2: Strange Visitor, the fate of Superman's erstwhile sidekick, the Boy Thunder, is explored in this arc. A mysterious child named David with a past resembling that of both Superman and Batman, the pair (primarily Superman though) take on the kid as a protégé and he soon goes on various missions with major superheroes from the Justice League and the Teen Titans. The end of the "Strange Visitor" arc has the Boy Thunder being ripped away from our main reality, with a tease showing his future as the villainous Magog from Mark Waid's classic out-of-continuity comic, Kingdom Come.
And that's where "Return to Kingdom Come" picks up. Superman having vowed to rescue David, follows up on Flash's new design of a cosmic treadmill. Pairing up with Batman, the two cross into Earth-22 (the designation of the Kingdom Come reality from the comic series 52). Learning the tragic fate that befalls the heroes of Earth-22, Superman and Batman work to reverse the eventual turn of the Boy Thunder (now known as Thunderman) into Magog. Story beats from Kingdom Come are played out here again, though one doesn't need to have read that story to make sense of this one which actually goes to show some adept writing on Waid's part. Though I've never liked the oddly preachy tone of the original Kingdom Come comic, I have to say it fits the tone of this World's Finest much better. The concept of the "no kill" rule is really dug into here, and though I've always rolled my eyes at how over the top it's been in this series, at least Waid continues to stick with it in a meaningful enough way.
Dan Mora continues to deliver on the art front, but it does look a little odd seeing the classic Alex Ross designs illustrated in Mora's style. It doesn't always quite hold up to the gouache painted style of the original (which admittedly I'm not a fan of), but still looks good in its own way.
And that's where "Return to Kingdom Come" picks up. Superman having vowed to rescue David, follows up on Flash's new design of a cosmic treadmill. Pairing up with Batman, the two cross into Earth-22 (the designation of the Kingdom Come reality from the comic series 52). Learning the tragic fate that befalls the heroes of Earth-22, Superman and Batman work to reverse the eventual turn of the Boy Thunder (now known as Thunderman) into Magog. Story beats from Kingdom Come are played out here again, though one doesn't need to have read that story to make sense of this one which actually goes to show some adept writing on Waid's part. Though I've never liked the oddly preachy tone of the original Kingdom Come comic, I have to say it fits the tone of this World's Finest much better. The concept of the "no kill" rule is really dug into here, and though I've always rolled my eyes at how over the top it's been in this series, at least Waid continues to stick with it in a meaningful enough way.
Dan Mora continues to deliver on the art front, but it does look a little odd seeing the classic Alex Ross designs illustrated in Mora's style. It doesn't always quite hold up to the gouache painted style of the original (which admittedly I'm not a fan of), but still looks good in its own way.
March 6, 2025
Well... Just when I thought I'd be praising this run *too* much, Return to Kingdom Come shows up to humble me!
This isn't a bad book perse. It's perfectly serviceable, which is why I'm not giving it a bad rating. However, the book just doesn't play into its strengths.
By the nature of Kingdom Come, the story can't be as fun, goofy, or carefree as The World's Finest books have been so far. However, with it being a World's Finest book it's unable to explore the philosophies or politics that made Kingdom Come what it is. So, what we're left with is a pretty by the mills comic story set in a bastardised and sanitised version of Kingdom Come's world.
There are things I appreciate. The book being a Morgog origin story is neat, getting the continuation to The Boy Thunder's story after World's Finest Vol 2 is cool, the art (although nowhere near as iconic as Alex Ross') is great! Seeing the Kingdom Come characters, albeit dissapointing, is also very novel.
However, I really don't believe book has anything for any potential target audience. If you like World's Finest you have to suffer through a 6 issue road block where Mark Waid reminds you he wrote Kingdom Come. And, if you're here for more Kingdom Come, you're forced to sit through a really sanitised version of themes the original book already fully explored just without any depth or originality this time.
I know how I've described this makes it sound terrible, it sounds like I hate this book. It also may come off as shocking because I'm not even Kingdom Come's biggest fan. But, like I said, this book is fine. It's a fun little adventure, and seeing the mainline Batman and Superman interact with the Kingdom Come world is novel enough where it's worth reading. Just don't go in expecting much...
This isn't a bad book perse. It's perfectly serviceable, which is why I'm not giving it a bad rating. However, the book just doesn't play into its strengths.
By the nature of Kingdom Come, the story can't be as fun, goofy, or carefree as The World's Finest books have been so far. However, with it being a World's Finest book it's unable to explore the philosophies or politics that made Kingdom Come what it is. So, what we're left with is a pretty by the mills comic story set in a bastardised and sanitised version of Kingdom Come's world.
There are things I appreciate. The book being a Morgog origin story is neat, getting the continuation to The Boy Thunder's story after World's Finest Vol 2 is cool, the art (although nowhere near as iconic as Alex Ross') is great! Seeing the Kingdom Come characters, albeit dissapointing, is also very novel.
However, I really don't believe book has anything for any potential target audience. If you like World's Finest you have to suffer through a 6 issue road block where Mark Waid reminds you he wrote Kingdom Come. And, if you're here for more Kingdom Come, you're forced to sit through a really sanitised version of themes the original book already fully explored just without any depth or originality this time.
I know how I've described this makes it sound terrible, it sounds like I hate this book. It also may come off as shocking because I'm not even Kingdom Come's biggest fan. But, like I said, this book is fine. It's a fun little adventure, and seeing the mainline Batman and Superman interact with the Kingdom Come world is novel enough where it's worth reading. Just don't go in expecting much...
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