Absolute Kingdom Come

DC Comics Absolute Edition

by Mark Waid, Alex Ross (Illustrator)

DC Comics Absolute Editions set the standard for the highest quality, most in-depth presentation of classic graphic novels. Each oversized volume is presented in a slipcase and includes unique additional material making each Absolute Edition a cornerstone of any serious comic collection. The latest Absolute Collection is the classic KINGDOM COME, written by Mark Waid and illustrated by Alex Ross. This riveting story set in the future pits the old guard--Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and their peers--against a new, uncompromising generation of heroes in the final war to determine the fate of the planet. Published to tie-in with the 10th Anniversary of its original publication, ABSOLUTE KINGDOM COME is packaged in a beautifully designed slipcase that features an all-new painted image by Alex Ross, annotations of the entire series, rare art, promotional images, a gallery of DC Direct Kingdom Come products, a feature on the evolution of a story page and much more.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book, Superman

344 pages, Hardcover

Published October 16, 2018

About the author

Mark 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.

Reviews

[Relstuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the greatest moments in graphic novel history is in this volume when the Spector points to Superman in agony and cries out: "JUDGEMENT!"

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kingdom Come, how do I love thee, let me count the ways
1. I bought the original graphic novels as they cane out, such brilliant Alex Ross artwork, such a nice setting for the future of DC's mightiest heroes.
2. I bought the hardcover, what a lovely book to add to my shelves, worthy of a display in my living room... but the nephews and nieces better not touch! ;-)
3. I bought the Absolute version... OK, now I'm just going overboard!

This is not the first book I've ever bought multiple versions of, I can think of many others... off the bat... Watchmen, Sandman, From Hell, Swamp Thing, Bone, MiracleMan, Batman, Ronin, V for Vendetta, Conan, Marvels, (and those are just the ones I can remember for now)

And, ashamedly I must admit, should they ever publish a new edition that surpases the ones I already own, I would no doubt buy that one as well :-/

[Danijel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Povodom novog (i hrvatskog) reizdanja u izdanju zagrebačke Fibre... Mnogi su već rekli svoje o stripu, tako da ću se i ja zasigurno ponoviti u kojem dijelu, no dopustiti ću si taj luksuz. Izvanredni Rossov crtež, odličan je taj njegov detaljistički hiperrealizam s gvašem (i ljudi koje zure u prazno, ili u daljinu? ;)); no iznenadila me također činjenica što je Ross zapravo bio idejni autor stripa. Iako od samog početka u zraku lebdi neki duh Watchmena (od samog početka Ross sije okolo njihove tragove), pa čak i DKR-a. Generacije superjunaka, povratak starih, svrha i njihovo mjesto u realnom svijetu. To je valjda bilo ono vrijeme krize superjunaka, kad je svatko htio reinventirati žanr (ova je stigla malo s kojih 10 godina zakašnjenja), udahnuti novi duh i žar u već iscrpljeni žanr. I naravno, ne bojati se postaviti kontraverzno pitanje, i pokušati odgovoriti na njega. Fibrino izdanje je vrhunsko, fenomenalan crtež, izvrsni dodaci (anotacije, opisi likova, galerija i komentari autora); no kao priča, iako vrlo dobra u svom superjunačkom žanru/univerzumu, nije mi ultimativno dobra.

Iako je samodostatna, s druge strane također se previše osjeća pripadnost DC-jevom univerzumu, više za fanove dotičnog. Pomalo prekratka (200 stranica), za neupućenog nedostaje dooosta backgrounda o likovima (makar je ovo zasebni univerzum, Elseworlds, poslije ponovno ubačen u continuity), ali ideja i realizacija su ispunjene što je i bila namjera autora. Kako promijeniti stvar kad superherojstvo postane samo sebi svrha, kad nema pravila ni superherojskog duha junaka te oni ne postanu ništa bolji od samih onih protiv kojih se bore. U biti, nije samo Magoga za kriviti, to pitanje se provlači dugi niz godina, čemu zatvori i sve ostalo kad su zlikovci u 98% slučajeva recidivisti i uvijek se vraćaju još beskrupulozniji i maliciozniji nego prije (a bodycount je sve veći).

Ross i Weid su odgovorili na pitanje koje si postavljaju od samog početka (barem sam ja zadovoljan odgovorom), kako pomiriti bogove i smrtnike u svrhu općeg dobra. Neću ništa dalje konkretnije, da ne odajem spoilere… Treba pročitati više puta, tako se spoje oni dijelovi pročitani u anotacijama i opisima likova, s pričom i nacrtanim easter-eggovima u stripu koji se ne primijete po prvi put…

[Caitlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kingdom Come is one of those graphic novels that any superhero fan has to read or be incomplete. I know that's a dramatic thing to say but it's true nonetheless. Kingdom Come explores what would happen if Superman's moral code became outdated and he was pushed out by the very people he swore to protect. A new breed of superhero emerges and is more willing to do violent things regardless of the consequences. The exploration of how far a hero can be willing to go and new versus old values was intensely interesting. Even the older superheroes don't agree amongst themselves and Wonderwoman, Superman and Batman all find themselves on different sides. The artwork is done by Alex Ross so it goes without saying that it's just gorgeous. The Absolute version is especially good because it includes a section at the end with sketches and character information for the different groups in the story. And the way that they've aged the characters was so perfect that I couldn't help but love them all. An absolutely fantastic story that is made even better by the absolute edition. This is one of those few special edition volumes that is very much worth the extra money. I would highly recommend it to any superhero fan!

[Paulo Agustin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another solid deconstruction, and then reconstruction, of the superhero story. This is an alternate Elsworlds tale examining the consequences of subscribing to the 90s comic book aesthetic of bigger, badder, more extreme heroes while abandoning the supposedly kinder, gentler approach of the Golden and Silver Age of comic books. After an inciting incident that leaves Lois Lane and the Joker dead, Superman and the rest of the old-school Justice League (Wonder Woman, Flash, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, and Batman) withdraw from the world and mostly retire from superheroics, letting the next generation of edgier, grimmer, and darker superheroes take their place. Problem is when you go down a dark and edgy path, so does the rest of the world, and the conflict arises from the return of the old guard a few decades later trying to rein in the excesses of the young upstarts.

Mark Waid's writing is impeccable, and is vividly brought to life by Alex Ross' beautiful, painted art. The story feels suitably epic while the characters remain fairly grounded as ideologies and personalities clash. There's really no need for prior knowledge of the DC universe, but it helps enrich the book.

[David Muñoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What a journey this was. The highly acclaimed and very well loved story by underrated writer, Mark Waid and properly rated artist, Alex Ross. Theres not much I can say about this epic, that hasn't already been said however I will say that all the hype for it is pretty well deserved. We get an else-worlds tale about a possible future where our original heroes turn their back on most of humankind and new heroes appear. Wildcards who will cross the line of death and destruction for what they deem as protection. With that our heroes return to try and bring peace and balance. It tackles on what true morals are and what sacrifices really have to be made in order to actually save the world. Finding the grey with the prominent black and white. Waid writes a very epic tale that was quite savory for my reading tastes buds. Tagged with Alex Ross's top notch artwork and you have what seems like the Bible of super hero stories. (Maybe I'm being a bit extra with that line.) And if you do read this story, you have to try and read it in Absolute format. Alex Ross artwork in the biggest and best put together hardcover=JUST AWESOME!

[Chad Jordahl · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I appreciate
Large format pages give lots of room to the art.
The realistic painted art by Alex Ross is impressive in style and execution. Every page has a lot to take in, and they reward close attention.
There are lots of extras, approximately 1/3 of the book - a couple of essays, character design sketches & descriptions, promotional art, covers.

What bummed me out
Self-important and overwrought writing.
Interesting premise, but fleshed out in a baffling and unconvincing way.
The "DEEP" and "MEANINGFUL" Christian religious framing.
Waid and Ross went for EPIC and PROFOUND, but it often just came across as bloated and preachy.
The scale reminds me of the Crisis book with dozens (hundreds?) of characters and their uncles. It's way too much for me to enjoy. Because I don't read a lot of super-people books, I don't have a history with 99% of these characters, and this book does little to make me interested.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This complex Superman tale has something for everyone I suspect. For me, it was story about aging and finding out efforts don't produce the expected results. This story also reinforces the modern mythology of superheroes not so subtly by drawing on the Book of Revelations. A human spectator is key to making the superheroes 'human' as an elderly minister is escorted as a witness by a being called Spector (actually I thought he was the Sandman because there's not a lot of difference). This story becomes a battle between the 'traditional' classic heroes and the generations of superheroes who battle without concern for collateral (human) damage. As expected, things come to a crisis point. The story itself is quick to read. What took some time but was well worth reading was the description afterwards of all the numerous characters which added to my knowledge and understanding. My rating is 5 stars.

[HowardtheDuck95 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yeah, this book is still an absolutely stellar read. Even after all these years and all the stuff since that has cribbed from it. A tale of titans clashing and an apocalypse from the eyes of a normal man in extraordinary circumstances. The Twilight of the Superheroes, as told by Mark Waid and Alex Ross. The natural spiritual successor to Ross and Busiek’s Marvels, the story of superheroic genesis from the mortal view.

This is one of those ones I have to come back to every now and then, because of my growth as a reader and as someone who sometimes needs to experience it all again.

Ross’ work is unimpeachable, really. Many have tried, they’re all wrong. He just gets it right. And in the Absolute edition, getting to see what went into it all…great stuff. Mark Waid’s notes are both informative and hilarious. If you can get your hands on it, recommended format.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, but it left me cold, which is odd because I usually enjoy Mark Waid's work immensely. After withdrawing from the world for a decade and letting the youngest generation of superheroes lead it to the precipice of ruin, our modern superheroes (mostly gold and silver age in origin) return to bring back order and save humanity. Much more of a big spectacle book with flashes of humanity than the other way around.

Also, Batman looked like Neil Diamond, and it kept weirding me out.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

This run has received so much praise and it's all well deserved. If you are a comic fan, you need to read this. If you are a collector, get the Absolute Edition. If you are still reading this review, stop and go get the book!

[Rumi Bossche · Rating 4 out of 5]

Almost biblical tale of the DC mythos. Artwork by Alex Ross that you can frame page by page. Never have i seen so many references in one book. These guys now there stuff !! Really amazing. Some cool extra's aswell i really learned some for me new things about the DC universe.

[Khairul Hezry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I rated this ABSOLUTE version five stars while the paperback I rated just three because everything just looks better in the ABSOLUTE version.

[Josema · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gran obra. Tanto en dibujo como en guión. Un viaje hacia el apocalipsis

[Callum Shephard · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s no denying that the comic industry from the very late 80s to early 90s is something people try to forget about. With huge guns, heroes which were indistinguishable from the villains, complete removal of the “no kill” policy, a severe artistic licence with physiology and bad writing it was a mess. While I’ll be the first to defend those which were genuinely good, there was no denying there was little in terms of quality storytelling. The end result of this was Kingdom Come which served as a savage denouncement and deconstruction of the characters of this Dark Age. One which was surprisingly even handed despite everything.

The story is of a dark near future in which things have gone horribly wrong. Superman and many of the classic heroes have disappeared, fading away into seclusion allowing for a newer much more violent generation to rise without the guidance of their elders. Turning on one another after they have seemingly exterminated all supervillains, without any care for who gets caught in the crossfire. After an engagement in Kansas wipes out everything living there, Superman is forced out of retirement determined to safeguarding the world once more.

The first thing to really credit here is that absolutely everything driven by characterisation clicks into place. Usually with Elseworlds or big events there’s the problem in which you need to have someone act out of character or like an idiot to get the ball rolling (Civil War anyone?) but in this everything works. Events like having Superman leave due to the public embracing the ideals he has decried for decades is something which feels entirely in character and why the public would support them is understandable. After all if you had a killer clown repeatedly breaking out of a mental asylum each week, killing hundreds only to be put back inside again, wouldn’t you support the person who permentatly took him down? Even when the story goes so far to have the president order a nuclear strike dropped on a battle, it’s clearly a hard choice he does not want to make and never manages to demonise the government itself for this act. Something remarkable considering just how many big names die in that blast.

Those which are seen not to take a side such as Aquaman are given fitting reasons for refusing to help and even the new generation of heroes is presented in a balanced light. They’re shown to take down all the old threats which the heroes never did (to the point where Batman is noted to have “the nights off” since his entire rogue’s gallery was dealt with) and some willingly take the sides of the heroes trying to fix things without much prompting. The comic even nothing in brief points they had to deal with threats the original generation never did. Many are still presented as being in the wrong and completely out of control, but the comic never goes so far as to make this a black-and-white situation.

Better yet the individual character arcs are consistently presented as well as the bigger stories. Each is brilliantly presented and feels completely natural, especially in terms of the world they have had to adapt to. Most telling of this is that Kingdom Come is the only story ever to make the pairing of Superman and Wonder Woman feel right. It’s focused on only developing a core cast and ignoring the side-characters who make up each army (even those who join Superman at the very start) but that focus makes the few they have all the better.

If there is something of a shortcoming to be found it’s in two things: The first is continuity. The few questionable elements like Hal Jordan’s disappearance have to be put down to the stories at the time of publication. The other is that that there are no proper fights within the series. Oh there’s everything from huge battles to one settled with single punches but they are not emphasised upon. A bit of a disappointment but it’s not what the comic is about and the presentation will likely distract you from this fact until long after you’ve finished. Plus as with many subtle things in the book, avoiding the fights make its opposition to the action obsessed 90s comics all the more clear.

Well, that and the art.

Alex Ross paints every panel in a hyper-realistic style about as far from the Liefeldian slabs of muscle and guns as you could hope to find. Resembling the classic Dan Dare comics with shades of Frank Hampson and Frank Bellamy more than they do any other era and it’s as beautiful a comic as you can hope to find. Words really do not do it justice, ranking amongst the best examples of comicbook art which have ever been produced. To top off a great story the last third of this collection consists of an Apocrypha detailing interviews, character commentaries, detailed art sketches and the thoughts behind the characters. It’s effectively the director’s cut section of the comic and makes a great story even more fascinating.

This a very rare example of a story in which there is genuinely nothing it does wrong. Even the elements I personally disagreed with had such thought and quality behind them that there really was no ground on which to truly criticise them. If you have knowledge of the dark age of comics which this deconstructs, this is highly recommended and even without that I would still suggest buying it on its other qualities of characters and art. There really are few to no comics better than this and Kingdom Come’s reputation, putting it alongside Alan Moore’s Watchmen, is entirely deserved. Definitely buy this one if you can find it.

[Anthony Caruso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beautiful Absolute Edition courtesy of D.C. comics. And like all Absolute Editions, there's not enough praise I can heap on this beautiful, hardcovered, glossy collection that includes character sketches, essays from those involved with crafting the story, art, notations, etc. As a DC fan, this is one of those quintessential stories - like "New Frontier" - that I never read until now. And, like "New Frontier", I can say it's every bit as amazing and iconic as the reputation that preceded it.

"Kingdom Come" is a story set in the far future of the DC universe where all of its classic heroes are old and now retired and a new crop of more bombastic, more violent have creeped out of the shadows to fight for justice in the ways they see fit. In this story, Waid forces readers, along with its heroes, to take stock of their lives and question whether or not they truly improved the world, or made humanity weaker by relying on "Gods" and less upon themselves. This graphic novel deals with themes that are prominent in any epic story - humanity, morality, ethics, power, love, violence, unity - and blends them all seamlessly into a plot that as every bite as introspective as it is action packed. While this story features a plethora of DC characters fans know and love, along with new ones - children and grandchildren of the classics - like most of the best DC stories, it focuses most on Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman, with Superman in particular taking center stage. In fact, this is arguably one of the finest Superman stories ever told. And if you're not a fan of Miller's aged, much more violent take on the Dark Knight, never fear, for while this one is cynical and disillusioned, he hasn't entirely lost touch with his own humanity or that of those around him. And while I won't give away how this particular story ends, I can say with confidence the ending is emotional and satisfying, especially if you've grown up idolizing these characters like I have.

This incredibly crafted and relevant story is brought to life by the incomparable Alex Ross, who brings the locations, the characters, the battles, and the quiet moments to life in realistic watercolor paintings, any of which would look beautiful hung on a wall in your home.

With Warner Bros. owning the rights to HBO Max and DC Comics, I would love a limited, live-action miniseries adapting this timely story for the small screen. Given their success with the "Watchmen" television sequel, I would hazard a guess it's only a matter of time before they adapt these beloved comic miniseries to television, and I think this would be perfect for said treatment. This is the "Justice League", comic, and all around story we need nowadays. I give this a hard 5 out of 5 stars with the caveat I wish I could give it a million times more. Can't recommend it enough.

[Tyler · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sprawling epic of a comic story is quite unlike anything I have previously read. It had an enormous cast of characters but at its core was Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman. The basic premise is that its a sort of futuristic story where most the main heroes of the DC universe are retired or otherwise gone and the rising generation of super people have sort of inherited their parent's roles and they really suck at it. They aren't really heroes and are more like super-squabbling dangerous people.

Superman retired from being a hero when Lois Lane and a bunch of other civilians were killed by the Joker. One of the new young supers named Magog murders the Joker in retaliation when Superman refuses to do so, leading him to hang up his cape. Meanwhile, Batman is running Gotham like a police state with a bunch of robot bat guardians. The opening catalyst of the story is when the stupid young supers cause a nuclear disaster thing in Kansas and Wonder Woman comes to bring Superman back, and the story goes on from there as the old generation rally to try to control/incarcerate the younger generation who won't adopt the ideals of good super-heroing(note: my description doesn't really do the story justice).

Anyway, the story deals heavily with the themes of religion and humanity, and the struggles of super people to fit into a world where they are basically living Gods who can only be contained by their own kind, thus invalidating much of that which is non-super. Lex Luthor leads a coalition of super villains to try and ruin everything, and the various super conflicts and disagreements of the superheroes on how to deal with the various problems causes the plot to thicken.

The art in this book was amazing. I have never seen a style like it and there were many powerful effects. I especially loved what they did with Superman, Batman, the Flash, and Green Lantern.

This is the first comic I have read where I really liked Wonder Woman as a character. She is basically facing something of an identity crisis after being banished from Amazon-Happy-Land and stripped of her royal titles because she has failed in her role to bring peace to Earth. She struggles help Superman take over the leadership role he needs to be in be in but cannot help but fail because she lacks his incredible moral judgment, tending to take a somewhat more militant stance.

As usual, Batman has a vision of peace that is not dissimilar to Superman's, but they disagree entirely on the right methods to get the job done. I really liked the take on Old Batman. His body may be battered and worn, but he is as cunning as ever.

This story was really awesome. I can't really describe it better than that.

9/10

[Neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

The more I read this series, the more I love it. I thought the author did a great job weaving verses from the Bible into the tapestry of the DCU. I loved how the heroes were portrayed 'ten years later.' We saw how they had either grown or not grown, how some things did not change. I thought it interesting how Superman refused to change for the longest time even though society around him had.

The artwork is phenomenal. I love Alex Ross' work. It is so amazing.

In this we see Superman, his character and integrity unchanging yet also still naive about how humanity works, despite his many years living amongst those he swore to protect. We see Diana struggling with having been deemed a failure in her mission to 'man's world' by her sister-warriors and her mother. We see Bruce Wayne, still fighting the good fight and appearing to actually be having 'fun' as he maintains order in Gotham City. I was sad about Captain Marvel - he was always one of my favorite DC characters growing up. We see the return of the Marvels...I mean, DC heroes of old, attempting to restore order amongst the metahuman population. This stems from a horrific accident in Kansas where the Parasite and Captain Atom ignite in a nuclear conflagration that devastates Kansas and the surrounding states. The younger generation of metahumans are told to either clean up their act or else. A gulag is built in the wastelands of Kansas. Incredibly, it is filled to overflowing with metahumans in a couple of weeks, to the shock of Superman and his allies. A metahuman war erupts, and humanity launches a nuclear strike to annihilate the metahuman population.

The Absolute Edition is chock full of 'Easter Eggs' that are fun to read and help add depth to the story. It also has a nice segment that details the many Easter eggs where they occur and the history beyond them. Another nice addition is the 'charts' that identify the numerous characters on the first three covers of the miniseries. If you were to chose to read either this or the novelization, I'd go with the absolute edition first and then read the novelization. The saying 'a picture is worth a thousand words' should have had its foundations in this series, because each picture truly is worth more than a thousand words.

[Tung · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I am writing this review while using a mouse that sits atop a Superman mousepad. I own two pairs of Superman cufflinks. And I am currently wearing Superman pajama pants. All that to say, I am not remotely objective when it comes to Superman; he is my absolute favorite character across all my nerd fandoms (MCU, DC, Star Wars, LotR, et al). Kingdom is the acclaimed work from Waid and Ross that details a future where Superman and the Justice League abandoned their protection of the earth for a decade, after a superhero named Magog becomes popular with the people. Magog killed Joker in this storyline, and his willingness to kill for the sake of “justice” goes against the Justice League ethos, hence their dissolution as a league. In their absence, metahumans arise to battle villains, but their lack of any of the old guard rules/ethics results in wanton destruction and loss of life. In a battle against the villain Parasite, Captain Atom is killed – resulting in a catastrophic explosion that essentially wipes out the Midwest, killing millions. Superman reforms the Justice League (sans Batman) in response to this tragedy. As part of the League’s efforts to prevent future atrocities, they build a prison to house metahumans. The remainder of the plot is essentially the Justice League (primarily Superman) wrestling with how power ought to be used to combat evil; how we respect and protect human life; whether the ends justify the means when attempting to provide security; the fine line between tyranny and benevolent rule – just a host of terrific moral questions. Even better, these questions are framed in the ongoing tension between Superman and Batman and their differing views on power and its usage.

Graphically, everything is drawn in a manner that tends towards realism. Everything looks great, but I had two issues with the art. First, there are some shots that involve a large number of villains and heroes on the same page, and in these scenes it is hard to distinguish who is who and what is going on. My second issue is that Ross re-imagines classic costumes for several of the main characters, and I don’t like their look at all (particularly Batman and Green Lantern). Overall, great storyline, but the graphics don’t quite do it for me.

[Rahul Nadella · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always felt that graphic novels should be held with the same esteem as traditional works of fiction. Too many readers have preconceived notions that graphic novels are only about pictures, cheap and massively produced art. Books like Kingdom Come prove this notion wrong. The depth of the story and the quality of the characters can not be denied. I have read this story over a dozen times. At each reading I find something new to savor: a small detail in the artwork; a different way to interpret the dialogue; or a background clue that provided a sense of drama. Graphic novels are fully-fleshed out stories leaving little to the reader’s imagination. But that’s the fun of them! We can see multiple artists’ interpretations of the same character over the decades and ponder how that character has changed over time. We come to love those characters because of richness of their details.

This story deserves no qualifier other than a single word: Epic. While the story is not a part of the mainstream timeline of the DC University Earth One continuity, it still shows us a possible future in which metas use their powers in ways they do not in the regular weekly releases. Readers are left to ponder the affect that absolute power has on leaders and how those without the power can suffer from both the action and inaction of those who control the fate of the world. Those who are familiar with the histories of Hal Jordan, Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, and Diana Prince will find intrigue in their aged characterizations. Although their bodies have aged (except Diana) their values remain consistent. The world changed under their watch and they simply couldn’t adapt to the political nuances of justice. The world needed its superheroes, but the superheroes also needed their world.

Today’s graphic novels are not the campy tales of the 1960s, nor are they the light-hearted comic strips we remember from the Sunday paper. Modern graphic novels give readers the best of both worlds: well-crafted stories as stunning works of art. I can’t think of a better combination to have in my hands when I settle into my recline to enjoy a fun read.

[Sabyasachi Goswami · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alex Ross's 'Kingdom Come' stands as a masterpiece in the realm of graphic novels, seamlessly blending an epic narrative with unparalleled artistic brilliance. The story, penned by Mark Waid, unfolds a gripping tale of a dystopian future where traditional heroes clash with a new generation, grappling with morality and the consequences of unchecked power.

Waid's narrative prowess shines through as he explores the complexities of superhero ethics, societal expectations, and the timeless struggle between order and chaos. The depth of character development is exceptional, providing readers with a nuanced understanding of each hero's motivations and internal conflicts.

However, what truly elevates 'Kingdom Come' to legendary status is Alex Ross's extraordinary artistry. His photorealistic paintings breathe life into iconic DC characters, capturing their essence in a visually stunning manner. The attention to detail, from the intricate costume designs to the emotive expressions, establishes Ross as a true maestro of comic book art.

The visual storytelling in 'Kingdom Come' is nothing short of cinematic, with each panel conveying a wealth of emotion and narrative significance. The epic scale of the battles and the poignant moments of introspection are rendered with a level of detail that transcends typical comic book art.

Ross's use of symbolism and visual metaphors adds layers to the storytelling, inviting readers to delve deeper into the narrative's philosophical underpinnings. The composition of each page is a testament to Ross's mastery, guiding the reader through a visually rich and thematically dense narrative.

In conclusion, 'Kingdom Come' is a tour de force in the world of graphic storytelling. Mark Waid's compelling narrative, combined with Alex Ross's breathtaking art, creates a symbiotic relationship that delivers an unforgettable reading experience. Whether you're a seasoned comic book enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, 'Kingdom Come' is a must-read that transcends the boundaries of traditional superhero tales.

[Rick Ray · Rating 1 out of 5]

Relentlessly pretentious, pontificating and nostalgic, I've never quite understood what the appreciation for Waid's and Ross' Kingdom Come really was. This comic has been hailed as many things - epic, a love letter to superheroes, reconstructionist, etc. - but to me many of those descriptors ring hollow. Sure, Alex Ross' painted pages do depict some epic scenes, but I've continually found his interior work to make everything look more stilted and uncomfortable than the classic comic artists who originally brought these heroes to life. I guess it can be said that Ross' style matches the heavy handed prose, but for me this felt like too much to the point of sheer exhaustion. Even the reconstructionist aspect is something I never quite got, since to me Kingdom Come very much builds on the back of the postmodern era. The tone of the comic is pretty jaded for most its length, only taking sparing moments to depict the return to classic superheroism. This doesn't even come close to achieving what Astro City does with respect to the nostalgic approach.

I know this comic has its fans, and to a small degree I understand. It's not fully romanticized nostalgia; instead Kingdom Come revels in the grittiness of contemporary comics while attempting to thread a path towards something classic. To many, it seems the connection was made, but it's really never resonated for me. It isn't that I dislike Waid or Ross to any extent - Waid's Daredevil and Flash runs have always been amongst my favorite works, and Ross' work on Marvels was a defining moment in superhero comics. But this is lesser work from two titans of the industry in my opinion.

[Sebastian Lauterbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a remarkable graphic novel and highly regarded for a good reason.

It was written in 1996 and is way ahead of its time. Take the whole DC universe, shift it forward several decades and explore the new status quo along with a new crisis on the horizon. This could have been an entire line of comics, yet it is a compelling story told in only 4 oversized issues.

The way this story is told is really clever, from the perspective of a mortal, who is guided by the Spectre, where neither are bound by time and space. The reader knows that the apocalypse is imminent, but doesn't know why or how.

The story quickly evolves into a clash between two factions of superheroes, which is very similar to the famous Civil War story line. But this story was written first and it also feels bigger and utilizes it's gigantic cast more efficiently. In addition, the ending is very satisfying.

Regarding the heroes: There's so many in here. Not only are there a huge cast of familiar heroes, there's also their offspring, contributing to either faction. Where Crisis on Infinite Earth failed in my opinion, this story knows how to make each character shine (often times for only a single panel).

Regarding the artwork: This might be controversial, but I'm not the biggest fan of the interiors in this book. It is ultra detailed, yet characters are hard to tell apart in the many group shots. I really like the cover's done by Alex Ross though.

I read a lot of DC comics already and I still don't come close to recognising every character or reference in here. This is a treasure trove and I'm happy to rediscover it a few years down the road.

[Leandro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahora entiendo porque decían que este libro representaba el futuro "final" de DC comics.
La narración desde afuera de los eventos por el ministro y el Espectro lo hace todo muy místico.
Superman y Batman se ven viejos pero no menos amenazadores.
WonderWoman ♥ con esa armadura de aguila simplemente genial.
Todos tan viejos.
Ese final en el restaurante temático tan curioso. Serán compadres!!

Frases geniales:

"En que momento un villano deja de ser un villano?, en el momento en el que trabaja para un bien mayor".

"Solo los débiles sucumben a la brutalidad".

"Hubo un tiempo en el que los héroes no se medían por su fuerza o por el tamaño de sus músculos, sino por su espíritu y el tamaño de su corazón".

"Un sueño no es siempre una profecía. Que el futuro... al igual que tantas otras cosas...esta abierto a la interpretación. Y la esperanza es mas brillante... cuando se alza ante el miedo."

[Maryse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overrated

This is perhaps the most expensive book I've bought -- a testament to how powerful the Internet can be. After searching for a copy for years, I bought the first complete copy I could find. Never mind that it cost way too much (a whopping 4 grand). I wanted it. Badly.

Excited, I ran home to read it. The start was a little weak, but most stories start out wobbly. After that price, I wanted to like it so bad.

But I couldn't

Maybe it was because I was not as familiar with the DC-verse (as compared to Marvel). The hodge pudge of characters without any emotional stake to the reader muddled the story and didn't really make sense.

Maybe it was because I just read watchmen

Maybe it was because it really didn't have a story

The only saving grace in this book are the illustrations.

3 stars for Alex Ross' exceptional panels

[Matthew Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is perhaps the most beautiful book I own. The artwork is amazing, each page teeming with such attention to detail it’s staggering. I originally read this book in trade paperback and while I certainly enjoyed it wasn’t able to appreciate it truly until I read the Absolute format in one sitting earlier today. With the larger pages it allows the art and narrative to breathe more easily I found.

And what a narrative! A superhero apocalypse unlike any I think I’ve ever seen! It would have been so easy for Waid to create a dark depressing edgy narrative, but he doesn’t, instead spinning a somber epic that cuts to the heart of these characters and what they mean to people.

I wouldn’t recommend this if it’s your first DC story, but if you’re a fan of these characters it’s an “absolute” (pun not intended) must read.

One of my favourite stories in all of comics.

[Richard Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Absolute format is a perfect way to see Kingdom Come. The extras are great (including all the extra scenes Waid and Ross completed over the years; Bats, Supes, and WW at the diner together at the end is classic), and Ross’s art is meant to be seen large.
The story is a classic, and it holds up, but I have one major critique of it: I don’t think ANY event could make Superman retire for 10 years (or however long it’s supposed to be); it’s the nature of his optimism that he couldn’t give up on helping people like that. And that decision is so central to the whole story that it makes the whole thing a little… off? Again, this series is a classic and that doesn’t come anywhere close to ruining it for me; it’s just something to think about. Absolute classic.

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was awesome. The story is really interesting, actually giving a cold hard look at what it means to be a hero and protect other people. It also talks about what happens to idealism and hope when working in the real world which is shrewd, hard and very often unjust. The way it uses the main DC characters to understand the value of hope and sacrifice is really cool.

And the artwork! The artwork was brilliant, gorgeous and a bunch of adjectives. The artwork in this is truly art. Just beautiful. The extra pages of sketches were very appreciated.

Read this if you like superheroes, you'll enjoy it, trust me.

[Tyler Jamison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book over and over again. I have loved comics since I could read and this has made its way to being my favorite comic of all time. It is a huge social commentary on how society as a whole has lost sight of the ultimate good in light of instant gratification. It is a tale of generations and the tragedy it takes to bring about change and personal sacrifices for the greater good. Ross and Waid use the Book of Revelations as the framework for the story and allow us to have a personal stake in the story by having the audience see through Norman's (a preacher and judge of humanity) eyes. The art is beautiful and the story is perfect. I cannot more highly recommend this book!!!

[DayDay · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do you tell this much depth of a story in only 4 issues ?!?! Still impressed by it and Mark Waid is a living encyclopedia for these characters. On top of that bringing so much hope inspiration to character like Superman is so inspiring and amazing. I’m still shocked that this is ONLY 4 issues. So impactful and dealt with so many topics. And ALEX ROSS on artwork ?!?! Do I need to say more ? Haha.

Not only Superman, but the way Waid describes the rest of these Justice League characters, combined with Ross art makes them look even more powerful and god-like. Well done, and will forever be one of my favorite Elseworlds DC tales.