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Kingdom Come #Novel
Kingdom Come
This is a novelization of the graphic novel, Kingdom Come, by Mark Waid and Alex Ross. It is the early years of the Twenty-First Century. Without the guidance and values long championed by the old guard -- Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman -- a younger generation of super heroes is ravaging the world. But when the Man of Steel returns from self-imposed exile, his very presence could be the catalyst that pushes us all into Armageddon. Seen through the eyes of Norman McCay, an aging minister who embarks on a disturbing odyssey of revelation with an angel known as the Spectre to guide him, "Kingdom Come" is the story of what defines a hero in a world spinning inexorably out of control...of the heroes who adapted to that changing world, and those who couldn't...of personal battles fought with inner demons, and the final war that would determine the fate of our planet.
416 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
17 people are currently reading
1148 people want to read
About the author
Elliot S. Maggin
239 books33 followersElliot S. Maggin, also spelled Elliot S! Maggin, is an American writer of comic books, film, television and novels. He was a main writer for DC Comics during the Bronze and early Modern ages of comics in the 1970s and 1980s. He is particularly associated with the character of Superman.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews
August 19, 2015
This is such a confusing book/review for me. Everything is here that should make me really like or love this book - great reviews and high rating, creative writing, bleakness, a focus on Superman and he's in his full power, interesting storyline - so what was the issue? It was hard to stay focused, easy to put down, and I was happy to have it finished. It's a future story of the dark days ahead of the DC Universe, which should have been difficult for me to relinquish.
The story is told through the narration of Norman McCay, a small time but wise pastor, but I think an issue was the lag before getting to the meat and heart of the story, taking too long to propel my interest. At first I was willing to ride in his head, but eventually I was eager for something to start happening. He's a likeable character, but the prophetic speaking grew tiresome. Religion plays in this book a lot; it's a blend of the Revelation as told by John and the Superheroes and world at stake.
The main base is the three largest characters - Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman - what they have been doing during a 10 year hiatus, and how their differing views clash when they must come together again to save the world from an appending destruction. Superman has one of the more tragic tales, after losing those closest to him through death, he turns his back on the city he vowed to protect after they refused to listen to him. Coming back is awkward, as he's trying to fit his consistent views in a world that's moved on its own without him, even if the world doing that is not possible and leaving was the worst thing he could have done. Wonder Woman and her people consider her a failure and she is struggling to make the right decisions based on past errors. And finally Batman has grown more jaded and cynical, still wanting the best but having less faith in the old system of the Justice League being the way to do it.
I think it was around page 70 or so before we finally glimpse Superman and the mains in their present day; while it was a full-strength scene, by this point I was a little bored. When Superman is shown, it's glorious, although he has long donned the Clark Kent persona. Even Kryptonite can barely touch him at this point (yes, yay! to that...). Batman is intriguing in his future state, physically broken down but he's overcome that through intellect, in his power and in control of Gotham, something which surprises no fan. The mere scene with Arthur in Atlantis was especially interesting. I'm not a fan of Wonder Woman, although she's here a lot, and her scenes were well done.
I like future stories that are realistic with the heroes and found that part fascinating. Of course there is a taint of sadness shadowing this. Maggin's writes well, poetically, but sometimes too dry and distant for this telling. The battle was climactic, the build-up interesting, the moral lessons of the story potent - how long will the world survive without the Justice League, and how much damage can it accidentally cause with its existence?
Between the pauses through Norman's point of view, which give a distant emotion, a lot of hopping around to almost every character imaginable, some tiredness with the lagging between story lines, it just failed to hold my interest enough to get a higher rating, despite being a powerful and well done story. As I figured, the last quarter was the best part of the book.
There were some surprisingly twisted, tragic ends to beloved characters. You can't write a bleak future without bleakness, though, and that carried strong impact. There's a relationship that changes to a closer level between two mains, too, which I'm rather meh about but know some fans root for. Despite it making some sense, it's not a pairing I like at all.
I haven't read the graphic novel version of this; that is also highly rated. I may bond with that one more.
The story is told through the narration of Norman McCay, a small time but wise pastor, but I think an issue was the lag before getting to the meat and heart of the story, taking too long to propel my interest. At first I was willing to ride in his head, but eventually I was eager for something to start happening. He's a likeable character, but the prophetic speaking grew tiresome. Religion plays in this book a lot; it's a blend of the Revelation as told by John and the Superheroes and world at stake.
The main base is the three largest characters - Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman - what they have been doing during a 10 year hiatus, and how their differing views clash when they must come together again to save the world from an appending destruction. Superman has one of the more tragic tales, after losing those closest to him through death, he turns his back on the city he vowed to protect after they refused to listen to him. Coming back is awkward, as he's trying to fit his consistent views in a world that's moved on its own without him, even if the world doing that is not possible and leaving was the worst thing he could have done. Wonder Woman and her people consider her a failure and she is struggling to make the right decisions based on past errors. And finally Batman has grown more jaded and cynical, still wanting the best but having less faith in the old system of the Justice League being the way to do it.
I think it was around page 70 or so before we finally glimpse Superman and the mains in their present day; while it was a full-strength scene, by this point I was a little bored. When Superman is shown, it's glorious, although he has long donned the Clark Kent persona. Even Kryptonite can barely touch him at this point (yes, yay! to that...). Batman is intriguing in his future state, physically broken down but he's overcome that through intellect, in his power and in control of Gotham, something which surprises no fan. The mere scene with Arthur in Atlantis was especially interesting. I'm not a fan of Wonder Woman, although she's here a lot, and her scenes were well done.
I like future stories that are realistic with the heroes and found that part fascinating. Of course there is a taint of sadness shadowing this. Maggin's writes well, poetically, but sometimes too dry and distant for this telling. The battle was climactic, the build-up interesting, the moral lessons of the story potent - how long will the world survive without the Justice League, and how much damage can it accidentally cause with its existence?
Between the pauses through Norman's point of view, which give a distant emotion, a lot of hopping around to almost every character imaginable, some tiredness with the lagging between story lines, it just failed to hold my interest enough to get a higher rating, despite being a powerful and well done story. As I figured, the last quarter was the best part of the book.
There were some surprisingly twisted, tragic ends to beloved characters. You can't write a bleak future without bleakness, though, and that carried strong impact. There's a relationship that changes to a closer level between two mains, too, which I'm rather meh about but know some fans root for. Despite it making some sense, it's not a pairing I like at all.
I haven't read the graphic novel version of this; that is also highly rated. I may bond with that one more.
August 9, 2023
Excellent prose adaptation of this awesome comic series. Very recommended
February 10, 2008
This novel is, of course, based off the outstanding graphic novel done by Mark Waid and Alex Ross, and is its equal in every way. While it may not have the visuals that the comic provided, it adds a depth of detail to the story that the comic simply couldn't reach. For my money, they're both outstanding. And if you can find a copy of the full cast audio book, do it.
So, after that gushing praise, what is it all about?
It's about the darkest days of the super-heroes. The End Times. The unpleasant future of the DC Universe.
In this not-so-distant future, the metahumans rule the world. Not officially, of course - we still have the United Nations and the President and all that, but for all intents and purposes, the "super-heroes" are the masters of the planet. They battle and rumble with abandon, concerned not with truth, justice and the American way, but with who's the toughest guy on the block. Some of them are new, many of them are the children and grandchildren of the heroes and villains of today.
They are powerful, they are beautiful, they are perfect. Now law can touch them, and no authority can confine them, and the once-prized concept of human achievement has nearly vanished.
From all of this does Armageddon come. Norman McCay, a pastor at a church in Metropolis and a man who's faith has all but gone, is chosen by The Spectre - a spirit of vengeance answerable only to God - to guide him through the events to come. These two witnesses tell our story of how the world became the way it did, and watch as the earth is nearly ripped apart in the battle between super-humans.
It's an awesome book. It touches on several very powerful themes, the least of which is the role of the super-human in a human world. When you have guys like Superman, who can bend steel around his finger, what does that do to the achievements of an Olympic weightlifter? How must the drivers of the fastest vehicles on Earth feel when they're outpaced by The Flash? These people can - and have - re-order the universe itself, so how are we supposed to live, knowing that even at our best, we can never come close to matching these living gods?
Of course, there is the major theme - the generation gap. The older heroes have left the stage, going into retirement or seclusion, because the world has changed around them. Their kids and their successors have become adults, and they have chosen a different moral path than the heroes that we know and love. Human life is no longer sacred, and higher ideals have been thrown aside. With a definite focus on Superman, the book looks at how one can deal with this - you can either hide from it, or try to force it to revert to the way you remember. Neither option is good, and so a third option must be found.
Then of course there is the idea of friendship. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are the iconic trio of the DC Comics universe, and despite their differences they are, ostensibly, friends. While the events of Identity Crisis a couple of years ago nearly cracked that friendship apart, this work tried breaking them up long before. They each react differently to the new world in which they live, and those differences are almost insurmountable.
If you're a fan at all of comic books, read this. And read the original graphic novel, because Alex Ross' work is indescribably beautiful. Then find the audio book and listen to that.
No pressure.
So, after that gushing praise, what is it all about?
It's about the darkest days of the super-heroes. The End Times. The unpleasant future of the DC Universe.
In this not-so-distant future, the metahumans rule the world. Not officially, of course - we still have the United Nations and the President and all that, but for all intents and purposes, the "super-heroes" are the masters of the planet. They battle and rumble with abandon, concerned not with truth, justice and the American way, but with who's the toughest guy on the block. Some of them are new, many of them are the children and grandchildren of the heroes and villains of today.
They are powerful, they are beautiful, they are perfect. Now law can touch them, and no authority can confine them, and the once-prized concept of human achievement has nearly vanished.
From all of this does Armageddon come. Norman McCay, a pastor at a church in Metropolis and a man who's faith has all but gone, is chosen by The Spectre - a spirit of vengeance answerable only to God - to guide him through the events to come. These two witnesses tell our story of how the world became the way it did, and watch as the earth is nearly ripped apart in the battle between super-humans.
It's an awesome book. It touches on several very powerful themes, the least of which is the role of the super-human in a human world. When you have guys like Superman, who can bend steel around his finger, what does that do to the achievements of an Olympic weightlifter? How must the drivers of the fastest vehicles on Earth feel when they're outpaced by The Flash? These people can - and have - re-order the universe itself, so how are we supposed to live, knowing that even at our best, we can never come close to matching these living gods?
Of course, there is the major theme - the generation gap. The older heroes have left the stage, going into retirement or seclusion, because the world has changed around them. Their kids and their successors have become adults, and they have chosen a different moral path than the heroes that we know and love. Human life is no longer sacred, and higher ideals have been thrown aside. With a definite focus on Superman, the book looks at how one can deal with this - you can either hide from it, or try to force it to revert to the way you remember. Neither option is good, and so a third option must be found.
Then of course there is the idea of friendship. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are the iconic trio of the DC Comics universe, and despite their differences they are, ostensibly, friends. While the events of Identity Crisis a couple of years ago nearly cracked that friendship apart, this work tried breaking them up long before. They each react differently to the new world in which they live, and those differences are almost insurmountable.
If you're a fan at all of comic books, read this. And read the original graphic novel, because Alex Ross' work is indescribably beautiful. Then find the audio book and listen to that.
No pressure.
April 25, 2013
I love everything about the kingdome come storyline. I would have to give a slight edge to the graphic novel due to Alex Ross' artwork, but this novelization adds details that the graphic novel had to leave out. Read both.
January 16, 2011
Adapted by Elliot S Maggin, the Kingdom Come novelization strikes me as less a novel unto itself and more of a bonus feature for those who enjoyed the comic series enough to read almost 400 pages of story retread from a slightly different point of view. I'm afraid that this Kingdom Come novel is not the best showcase for any writer's talents. The story is so locked-in that there is very little room for Maggin to stretch his wings and do anything new or creative. You could argue that this type of book is not the venue for such creativity, and I'd be hard-pressed to argue with you.
To me, it seemed like instead of embracing that fact, Maggin went in and gave us really unnecessary details around the edges of the book as a substitute. For example, an extended sequence where the narrator of the story, pastor Norman McCay, tells us his family has a history of premonitions like the ones he begins to experience at the beginning of the novel. This sequence is entirely too much information. It doesn't move the plot anywhere remotely interesting, and in my own opinion, makes McCay's acceptance of the remarkable nature of his association with the superheroes a little less dramatic than it could be.
Again, that's my opinion. I am positive that there are legions of readers who bought this novelization precisely for those little details; it seems to be Kingdom Come's stock in trade. In point of fact, one of the truly amazing aspects of the original comic series was artist Ross' compendious knowledge of the DC Universe. In his hyper-realistic style, Ross inserted all sorts of "easter eggs" for the eagle-eyed fanboy and girl. A background character with no speaking lines would, if the reader was savvy enough in the ways of superhero lore, be easily identified as an elderly Captain Boomerang or Plastic Man. These hidden references were part of the fun of the Kingdom Come comic book, but part of that fun was how little attention was brought to them. You either picked them up as you read... or you didn't. Knowing that background character with the top hat was Ross and Waid's reimagining of Zatara would not affect your reading either way.
Prose doesn't operate in the same fashion... or at least, the prose here does not. What could go unremarked in a wide panel and act as a small nod to continuity or character must be mentioned explicitly in a novel to give it any meaning.
If you're interested in those extra details, I will say that Maggin's Kingdom Come is an absolute treasure trove. As a fan of the original comic, I found all sorts of interesting bits and pieces sprinkled throughout this book. Background characters like Power Woman and The Ray are given more room to breathe, and in particular I found Maggin's take on Kingdom Come's version of Hawkman to be well-thought out and far more interesting than the handful of panels the character is given in the comic book. There are also many small wrinkles that Maggin's given the chance to address that would have slowed the comic down to a screeching halt- I particularly enjoyed his explanation about why the futuristic Legion of Super-Heroes doesn't come back and give humanity a helping hand... as well as the "death" of Clark Kent, something left entirely unaddressed in the comic.
To me, it seemed like instead of embracing that fact, Maggin went in and gave us really unnecessary details around the edges of the book as a substitute. For example, an extended sequence where the narrator of the story, pastor Norman McCay, tells us his family has a history of premonitions like the ones he begins to experience at the beginning of the novel. This sequence is entirely too much information. It doesn't move the plot anywhere remotely interesting, and in my own opinion, makes McCay's acceptance of the remarkable nature of his association with the superheroes a little less dramatic than it could be.
Again, that's my opinion. I am positive that there are legions of readers who bought this novelization precisely for those little details; it seems to be Kingdom Come's stock in trade. In point of fact, one of the truly amazing aspects of the original comic series was artist Ross' compendious knowledge of the DC Universe. In his hyper-realistic style, Ross inserted all sorts of "easter eggs" for the eagle-eyed fanboy and girl. A background character with no speaking lines would, if the reader was savvy enough in the ways of superhero lore, be easily identified as an elderly Captain Boomerang or Plastic Man. These hidden references were part of the fun of the Kingdom Come comic book, but part of that fun was how little attention was brought to them. You either picked them up as you read... or you didn't. Knowing that background character with the top hat was Ross and Waid's reimagining of Zatara would not affect your reading either way.
Prose doesn't operate in the same fashion... or at least, the prose here does not. What could go unremarked in a wide panel and act as a small nod to continuity or character must be mentioned explicitly in a novel to give it any meaning.
If you're interested in those extra details, I will say that Maggin's Kingdom Come is an absolute treasure trove. As a fan of the original comic, I found all sorts of interesting bits and pieces sprinkled throughout this book. Background characters like Power Woman and The Ray are given more room to breathe, and in particular I found Maggin's take on Kingdom Come's version of Hawkman to be well-thought out and far more interesting than the handful of panels the character is given in the comic book. There are also many small wrinkles that Maggin's given the chance to address that would have slowed the comic down to a screeching halt- I particularly enjoyed his explanation about why the futuristic Legion of Super-Heroes doesn't come back and give humanity a helping hand... as well as the "death" of Clark Kent, something left entirely unaddressed in the comic.
May 29, 2013
Who would have thought that the mysteries held in the apocryphal Revelation of John would foretell the ultimate clash between super heroes and super villains.
Well, these authors would, of course.
Characters from the DC litany of graphic adventures, so numerous that the reader would profit from a copy of “Who’s Who in Detective Comics,” take sides under the mystified gaze of Norman McKay, an aging minister who is called upon the revisit John’s vision as the millennial events roll forth.
Although the initial narrative feels some what aloof, the readers is gradually drawn into the dramatic tension between, not only good and evil, but varying versions of good. The resulting conclusion provides for a satisfying catharsis.
Well, these authors would, of course.
Characters from the DC litany of graphic adventures, so numerous that the reader would profit from a copy of “Who’s Who in Detective Comics,” take sides under the mystified gaze of Norman McKay, an aging minister who is called upon the revisit John’s vision as the millennial events roll forth.
Although the initial narrative feels some what aloof, the readers is gradually drawn into the dramatic tension between, not only good and evil, but varying versions of good. The resulting conclusion provides for a satisfying catharsis.
Want to read
September 5, 2019(1) Why is Green Lantern's custom design looks so much like Parallax's!? Did the artists run out of custom design or something!? LOL
(2) Well! It's mentioned that the daughter of Red Arrow and the mercenary Cheshire, has become Red Hood.
More to come.
(2) Well! It's mentioned that the daughter of Red Arrow and the mercenary Cheshire, has become Red Hood.
More to come.
December 24, 2015
I've read this several times now, and there are a number of things that make it great.
The first is simply the premise: it seriously takes up the question: if superheroes with godlike powers really did live on our world, what might the consequences be -- for them, for normal human beings, and for the planet.
The tragedies and disasters it makes note of are well thought-out, and the cast of characters make sense as a continuation of the hopes, dreams and fears of the Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and others that we know from other stories.
The art is appropriately frenetic -- it puts us in the perspective of someone trying to make sense of the frenzy of battles and the changing cast of heroes and villains. The more realistic look pulls away from the golden age comic myth of heroes that only add gentle healing touches by removing villains through redemptive/regenerative violence, and grounds us in the question: What IF they were real, though?
The religious layer of apocalyptic revelation isn't terribly deep, but I'd say it's used appropriately: what is a human response to the terrible scope of possibility we've begun to see emerge from more-than-human figures, whether they be the fascist politicians of the early 1900s (not that the 20th century had a monopoly on that philosophy), or the scientists whose curiosity and insight allows them to build weapons that can kill millions in a population in an instant, or the nihilists and anarchists who reject any premise of constructive human community because they've seen too many cracks in the way our human communities are constructed, and therefore do violence on whatever scale they can reach.
These are topics that we confront everyday, of course, and this "comic" is a serious engagement of them, doing what fantasy does at its deepest: holding up a magnifying mirror to our own nature, so we can wrestle through the ways our choices play out on ourselves and one another.
Without going into the details, the denouement and epilogue have a warmth to them, even as the state of affairs is left uneasy -- a reminder to us that our victories are always achieved in part when we commit to an ongoing process of construction and care.
All in all, a fine book.
The first is simply the premise: it seriously takes up the question: if superheroes with godlike powers really did live on our world, what might the consequences be -- for them, for normal human beings, and for the planet.
The tragedies and disasters it makes note of are well thought-out, and the cast of characters make sense as a continuation of the hopes, dreams and fears of the Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and others that we know from other stories.
The art is appropriately frenetic -- it puts us in the perspective of someone trying to make sense of the frenzy of battles and the changing cast of heroes and villains. The more realistic look pulls away from the golden age comic myth of heroes that only add gentle healing touches by removing villains through redemptive/regenerative violence, and grounds us in the question: What IF they were real, though?
The religious layer of apocalyptic revelation isn't terribly deep, but I'd say it's used appropriately: what is a human response to the terrible scope of possibility we've begun to see emerge from more-than-human figures, whether they be the fascist politicians of the early 1900s (not that the 20th century had a monopoly on that philosophy), or the scientists whose curiosity and insight allows them to build weapons that can kill millions in a population in an instant, or the nihilists and anarchists who reject any premise of constructive human community because they've seen too many cracks in the way our human communities are constructed, and therefore do violence on whatever scale they can reach.
These are topics that we confront everyday, of course, and this "comic" is a serious engagement of them, doing what fantasy does at its deepest: holding up a magnifying mirror to our own nature, so we can wrestle through the ways our choices play out on ourselves and one another.
Without going into the details, the denouement and epilogue have a warmth to them, even as the state of affairs is left uneasy -- a reminder to us that our victories are always achieved in part when we commit to an ongoing process of construction and care.
All in all, a fine book.
July 8, 2016
I bought this book on a whim from the local library sale. I have read the graphic novel[s] several times, so I thought I might read this to see how the novelization turned out. Overall, it turned out better than I expected. There were some slow spots, but for the most part, it followed the comic books rather well. Obviously, it goes into a different level of depth and detail, on the one hand, than the comics mainly due to the comic panels being loaded with 'Easter eggs' and nods to the fans. The book has to explain things using words instead of pictures ['no way!', right?], so it will give [some] of the background information to each scene so that the reader can get an image in their mind's eye. The comic book format is awesome - filled with beautiful artwork. I would definitely say to read the comic-format first. Then the novelization.
The book is set in the 'near future' [actually, the turn of 'this' century] in which the metahuman population has run wild. Both in size and in behavior. The heroes of old have either gone into retirement or disappeared completely from public life. The next generation of heroes, their heirs to the throne, never learned any of the 'life lessons' their forerunners and parents may have tried to teach them. Metahumans battle each other just for the sake of fighting; life is now considered cheap, especially the lives of normal people. Laws that apply to normal people do not apply to the metahumans. Superman has been missing for ten years, having gone into isolation . A minister is given the task of providing a 'human compass' for the Sphectre who is to judge an upcoming event. We see the return of Superman, how he attempts to restore order to the metahuman population, and the 'human response' to the 'metahuman problem.' There are rumblings beneath the surface as we see Kal, Diana, and Bruce interacting with each other and their allies. We see strange alliances occur throughout the book. The end is depressing. The very end is humorous.
I think it was an interesting book. To me, it seems to attempt to explore different values and how individuals react/respond to various situations and/or stimuli. We see Superman attempting to make things right as well as find his way again after being gone for ten years. We see Wonder Woman in a place she has never been before and attempting to deal with her life's situation in light of her past teachings and failures as well as where she thought she would be at this time in her life. Batman has become more content as well as more cynical, in my opinion. It was an interesting mix. Despite his deep mistrust, he still wants what is 'best' for people [even if it is what he considers 'best']. I did like the various interactions between the characters.
It is interesting how much Superman is made to appear as somebody who is out of touch with reality and the lives of those around him - the accusation is made that he has always been out of touch. But everybody also talks about how he was somebody everybody aspired to be because of his innate goodness and ability to 'know' right from wrong regardless of the situation. [granted, this 'ability' of his fails him in the end] His conversations with Bruce, Arthur, and Diana are illuminating, on the one hand, as they reveal Superman's ignorance despite his great strengths and abilities. At the same time, I wonder if writers have become more cynical, thus making Superman seem naive in comparison to, say, Wonder Woman or Batman.
I liked Wonder Woman's interactions with Superman - I think it brought about a relationship many comic book fans had been wanting to see for many years [and makes more sense, on the one hand, than Superman falling for Lois Lane. But Superman loving Lois Lane also gave Superman a 'humanness' he would not have had had he only loved Wonder Woman]. Wonder Woman has her own frustrations and failures she is processing, and she has sought out Superman to help 'save the world' from itself and the burgeoning metahuman population. One could see the depths of their friendship as well as their feelings for each other [I felt, anyway].
Funny how Oliver Queen is such a jerk, no matter who writes him.
I think it is sad how 'dark' Batman has become over the years. I know Gotham represents the 'dark side' of humanity, as it were, but, still. He was interesting in this story, because he had his own agenda that was at odds with Superman's [Wonder Woman's] agenda and was also at cross-purposes with the Mankind Liberation Front's agenda. One could even say he was at odds with the agendas of the human governments on the planet. I did like how he was represented in the story, though. I also liked how he was willing to mend and repair his broken relationship with Kal and the other heroes.
I was sorry to see .
I think Waid and Alex touched upon something in the comics when they discuss how Superman went into hiding . Granted, I think it is a frustrating thing about comics, because nobody wants to 'kill off' a 'perfectly good villain,' regardless of how evil the villain has become and how much their actions warrant execution. That is one of the reasons why I do not read them so much any more. So it is interesting how out of touch Superman was over the villain's death, and how much more out of touch he was with the 'common person' returning after a ten year leave of absence.
I always loved Batman and Superman growing up. Also loved Green Lantern - I was the 'Blue Lantern' as a child. So it was easy to see the love that Waid and Ross put into the original series; it was also easy to see the love the author put into writing this book. Yes, it was a novelization, but it fleshed out concepts that were implied in the book. I truly enjoyed reading this book.
The book is set in the 'near future' [actually, the turn of 'this' century] in which the metahuman population has run wild. Both in size and in behavior. The heroes of old have either gone into retirement or disappeared completely from public life. The next generation of heroes, their heirs to the throne, never learned any of the 'life lessons' their forerunners and parents may have tried to teach them. Metahumans battle each other just for the sake of fighting; life is now considered cheap, especially the lives of normal people. Laws that apply to normal people do not apply to the metahumans. Superman has been missing for ten years, having gone into isolation . A minister is given the task of providing a 'human compass' for the Sphectre who is to judge an upcoming event. We see the return of Superman, how he attempts to restore order to the metahuman population, and the 'human response' to the 'metahuman problem.' There are rumblings beneath the surface as we see Kal, Diana, and Bruce interacting with each other and their allies. We see strange alliances occur throughout the book. The end is depressing. The very end is humorous.
I think it was an interesting book. To me, it seems to attempt to explore different values and how individuals react/respond to various situations and/or stimuli. We see Superman attempting to make things right as well as find his way again after being gone for ten years. We see Wonder Woman in a place she has never been before and attempting to deal with her life's situation in light of her past teachings and failures as well as where she thought she would be at this time in her life. Batman has become more content as well as more cynical, in my opinion. It was an interesting mix. Despite his deep mistrust, he still wants what is 'best' for people [even if it is what he considers 'best']. I did like the various interactions between the characters.
It is interesting how much Superman is made to appear as somebody who is out of touch with reality and the lives of those around him - the accusation is made that he has always been out of touch. But everybody also talks about how he was somebody everybody aspired to be because of his innate goodness and ability to 'know' right from wrong regardless of the situation. [granted, this 'ability' of his fails him in the end] His conversations with Bruce, Arthur, and Diana are illuminating, on the one hand, as they reveal Superman's ignorance despite his great strengths and abilities. At the same time, I wonder if writers have become more cynical, thus making Superman seem naive in comparison to, say, Wonder Woman or Batman.
I liked Wonder Woman's interactions with Superman - I think it brought about a relationship many comic book fans had been wanting to see for many years [and makes more sense, on the one hand, than Superman falling for Lois Lane. But Superman loving Lois Lane also gave Superman a 'humanness' he would not have had had he only loved Wonder Woman]. Wonder Woman has her own frustrations and failures she is processing, and she has sought out Superman to help 'save the world' from itself and the burgeoning metahuman population. One could see the depths of their friendship as well as their feelings for each other [I felt, anyway].
Funny how Oliver Queen is such a jerk, no matter who writes him.
I think it is sad how 'dark' Batman has become over the years. I know Gotham represents the 'dark side' of humanity, as it were, but, still. He was interesting in this story, because he had his own agenda that was at odds with Superman's [Wonder Woman's] agenda and was also at cross-purposes with the Mankind Liberation Front's agenda. One could even say he was at odds with the agendas of the human governments on the planet. I did like how he was represented in the story, though. I also liked how he was willing to mend and repair his broken relationship with Kal and the other heroes.
I was sorry to see .
I think Waid and Alex touched upon something in the comics when they discuss how Superman went into hiding . Granted, I think it is a frustrating thing about comics, because nobody wants to 'kill off' a 'perfectly good villain,' regardless of how evil the villain has become and how much their actions warrant execution. That is one of the reasons why I do not read them so much any more. So it is interesting how out of touch Superman was over the villain's death, and how much more out of touch he was with the 'common person' returning after a ten year leave of absence.
I always loved Batman and Superman growing up. Also loved Green Lantern - I was the 'Blue Lantern' as a child. So it was easy to see the love that Waid and Ross put into the original series; it was also easy to see the love the author put into writing this book. Yes, it was a novelization, but it fleshed out concepts that were implied in the book. I truly enjoyed reading this book.
January 25, 2020
I've not read the comic, but I know it by reputation. I've started it once, digitally, decided a tablet was not really the proper way to enjoy Alex Ross' beautiful art and Mark Waid's wordy script. In the meantime, before I get my hands on a physical copy of the comic, I've given the novelization a go.
From what I gather, Elliot S. Maggin retained the story closely, but it just doesn't work in novel medium.
You, the reader, are following the protagonist as he goes from scene to scene (literally, in extra-corporeal form) and watches the superheroes, or metahumans as they're called here. The protagonist is very passive, being essentially a ghost, and a wholly human ghost at that. He's here only to witness the events, not much else.
The three main super-characters are Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman. And there's loads of others. "Kingdom Come" contains so much namedropping that for the DC uninitiated will mean absolutely nothing. Many of them appear and disappear in the span of a paragraph. On the other hand you don't really get time alone with the main three heroes to be able to truly like them. The human ghost character is probably the most developed, but even he is rather boring because his role is passive.
There problems of this novel are not really the writer's fault, I don't think. The story obviously works in comic form, but it doesn't translate well to plain novel. You're not missing much if you skip this one.
From what I gather, Elliot S. Maggin retained the story closely, but it just doesn't work in novel medium.
You, the reader, are following the protagonist as he goes from scene to scene (literally, in extra-corporeal form) and watches the superheroes, or metahumans as they're called here. The protagonist is very passive, being essentially a ghost, and a wholly human ghost at that. He's here only to witness the events, not much else.
The three main super-characters are Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman. And there's loads of others. "Kingdom Come" contains so much namedropping that for the DC uninitiated will mean absolutely nothing. Many of them appear and disappear in the span of a paragraph. On the other hand you don't really get time alone with the main three heroes to be able to truly like them. The human ghost character is probably the most developed, but even he is rather boring because his role is passive.
There problems of this novel are not really the writer's fault, I don't think. The story obviously works in comic form, but it doesn't translate well to plain novel. You're not missing much if you skip this one.
January 11, 2013
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 :-/
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 :-/
April 26, 2009
I like superhero stories, and this is a story that incorporates just about every DC superhero that I've heard of (and several that I hadn't). It's a novelization of a comic book run, and the comic/graphic novel probably would have been more a little more fun to read. Things felt slow until the last third of the book.
The novel explores a near-apocalypse as the world tries to deal with a large number of "metahumans" and their interactions/fights among themselves. I did enjoy the idea of a world without Superman after he had been around for a long time. I don't know if I just wasn't in the mood for the book or what, but I don't plan on reading it again. I'm not too heartbroken as it was just a "pick up off the shelf at the library" book.
The novel explores a near-apocalypse as the world tries to deal with a large number of "metahumans" and their interactions/fights among themselves. I did enjoy the idea of a world without Superman after he had been around for a long time. I don't know if I just wasn't in the mood for the book or what, but I don't plan on reading it again. I'm not too heartbroken as it was just a "pick up off the shelf at the library" book.
April 20, 2010
An adaptation of the Mark Waid/Alex Ross graphic novel. Adds a lot of necessary depth, especially to the POV character of Norman, but is hampered by silted dialogue and descriptions. I wouldn't recommend reading this one on its own, but if you're fond of the GN it's a good enough read.
March 7, 2015
The graphic novel version is perfect, and this novelization is pretty much great. Maggin goes into far greater detail than there is time for in the novelization. This is worth a read if you've already read the graphic novel, loved it, and want more.
February 17, 2010
Rereading this recently and really enjoying the added details on the story not accessible in the graphic format. Good job, Elliot.
April 9, 2020
I am basing this review on roughly twenty year old memories, so bear with me a little. I read the novel before reading Mark Waid and Alex Ross's graphic novel, and I have to admit that I found the novelization superior. I realize that is probably some kind of heresy, but I felt that Maggin's novel was far more descriptive, and therefore (for me at least) more potent than Alex Ross's paintings. This was doubly true because I didn't know enough esoteric DC Comics trivia to get any of Waid and Ross's Easter Eggs, and I wouldn't have known who half the future heroes were without Maggin explaining them.
Even without comparing the two directly, I remember the novel being compelling, emotional, and just all-around well done. Perhaps a reread would change my mind, but until I do so, I remember it being pretty great.
Even without comparing the two directly, I remember the novel being compelling, emotional, and just all-around well done. Perhaps a reread would change my mind, but until I do so, I remember it being pretty great.
August 28, 2024
Even better than the comic. If I could give this book six stars, I would. Seriously, I was stifling sobs by the end, and not even sobs of sadness but out of catharsis and delight. The novel Kingdom Come is more than excellent in both content (themes) and technique. The prose is AMAZING.
The ending is even MORE superwonderbat-coded than the comic, somehow. Also, I like all the little changes Maggin made, like how Clark and Diana know from the start of the diner scene that Jim and Norman are also there, or like how Clark reveals his secret identity to the world. UGH. It’s just so good.
The ending is even MORE superwonderbat-coded than the comic, somehow. Also, I like all the little changes Maggin made, like how Clark and Diana know from the start of the diner scene that Jim and Norman are also there, or like how Clark reveals his secret identity to the world. UGH. It’s just so good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2019
I am not doing this book justice with the fact that it's been nearly 2 months since I listened to it. I just kept forgetting to do my review.
I do remember I enjoyed this a lot. These graphic audio productions are really well done .
And saldy that is all I can say because it has bene so long, and I've listened to about 4 other DC graphic audio productions since then
I do remember I enjoyed this a lot. These graphic audio productions are really well done .
And saldy that is all I can say because it has bene so long, and I've listened to about 4 other DC graphic audio productions since then
April 19, 2021
I listened to the audiobook without having read the graphic novel. If I had been familiar with the source material, I may have enjoyed the story better. But how do you capture an epic battle scene, filled with meta-humans and nukes, with just sound effects and a few words? You don't. Not effectively, anyway.
September 4, 2019
A faithful prose adaption of the excellent classic comic book mini-series. It was interesting to read the same story told through two different mediums, and see the strengths that each brought to the telling of the story.
September 13, 2019
This has been sitting on my to read shelf for a hell of a long time and maybe the anticipation made it a bit of a let down. Maybe reading Injustice before this also had its effect. So all in all interesting premise and scenarios but never left a lasting impression. Artwork left me cold too.
February 19, 2020
Arguably the best superhero graphic novel ever. While I like Watchmen and The Dark Knight, Kingdom Come does it even better. Strong message about what happens when young heroes are selfish and reckless, and old heroes have given up.
May 22, 2020
See full review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=psMga...
Kingdom Come is my favorite comic book ever, but much like is the case with many, the novelization is miles ahead by sheer ability to expand. If you like Kingdom Come, the novelization is required reading. And that's not just me saying that. According to Maggin's website, Mark Waid said, "The novel that Maggin is doing is brilliant; it had to be this enormously thick hardcover prose textbook, and I'm reading chapter after chapter and he's using 30% of Kingdom Come and 70% new stuff, and it's just amazing the stuff he's coming up with. So, anyone that likes Kingdom Come, this is required reading." And are you gonna argue with the original writer of the comic? One of the greatest aspects of Kingdom Come, is that it doesn't require extensive knowledge of the DC Universe. It's an Elseworlds, and all the backstory is told in-story. It doesn't even require knowledge of every hero that plays a part, just knowledge of the Trinity, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, that everyone knows because they're the most popular in the public lexicon. Generations of kids grew up watching Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman on TV, in movies, animated series, who've never so much as touched a comic book. And they can appreciate this story. And the novelization is the same way. If you've never read the comic, I highly recommend reading the comic, because it's gorgeous. And if you've read it, but never looked at the novelization, I agree with Mark Waid. It's required reading.
Kingdom Come is my favorite comic book ever, but much like is the case with many, the novelization is miles ahead by sheer ability to expand. If you like Kingdom Come, the novelization is required reading. And that's not just me saying that. According to Maggin's website, Mark Waid said, "The novel that Maggin is doing is brilliant; it had to be this enormously thick hardcover prose textbook, and I'm reading chapter after chapter and he's using 30% of Kingdom Come and 70% new stuff, and it's just amazing the stuff he's coming up with. So, anyone that likes Kingdom Come, this is required reading." And are you gonna argue with the original writer of the comic? One of the greatest aspects of Kingdom Come, is that it doesn't require extensive knowledge of the DC Universe. It's an Elseworlds, and all the backstory is told in-story. It doesn't even require knowledge of every hero that plays a part, just knowledge of the Trinity, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, that everyone knows because they're the most popular in the public lexicon. Generations of kids grew up watching Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman on TV, in movies, animated series, who've never so much as touched a comic book. And they can appreciate this story. And the novelization is the same way. If you've never read the comic, I highly recommend reading the comic, because it's gorgeous. And if you've read it, but never looked at the novelization, I agree with Mark Waid. It's required reading.
April 27, 2023
I liked this, but it suffers a little from the fact that the story it's telling is best told in its original medium of comic books. Kingdom Come is a very visual story and much of what makes it a compelling graphic novel is lost in this prose version.
August 20, 2018
WOAH
I don't know if it was the storyline, artwork, or both, but this story was . . . I don't know how to describe it, but it was epic.
Overall, I need not say more. Enjoy :)
I don't know if it was the storyline, artwork, or both, but this story was . . . I don't know how to describe it, but it was epic.
Overall, I need not say more. Enjoy :)
April 18, 2019
Great what if story...
July 1, 2019
An interesting take on the characters we all know and love. I'm glad to see Captain Marvel (SHAZAM) take...well, not Center Stage, but the story doesn't work at all without him.
March 24, 2020
Remarkable.
The art. The story. I couldn't put it down not even for a second.
The art. The story. I couldn't put it down not even for a second.
January 30, 2022
Una de las historias pilares de DC. Una edición que reúne todo lo que un fanático necesita y más.
September 12, 2023
Strong message about what happens when young heroes are selfish and reckless, and old heroes have given up.
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