Books : Kingdom Come

In association with Amazon.com

Rating:

- I Don't Think We Are In Kansas Anymore
I came upon this book by accident in the comic books store while looking for new titles to read. As I write this I am 49 years old (only a few months to half-century) and it was just 2 years ago I got back into comics after 30+ years away from reading them. It was apparently the right time as since then I have bought and read 52, Countdown, Infinite Crisis, and am now in the midst of the excellent Final Crisis series.

As for Kingdom Come I have never been so impressed and stunned by comic book art than the work of Alex Ross. This man's work is on the level of the great masters. Each character in the story looks like he could step out of the story and exist as a real person and yet also is exaggerated to some extent (i.e. Superman and that size 50 chest) to give you that super-human feel. A perfect balance and in my mind the way I picture a super hero.

My favorite character rendering is the Spectre who until just recently was not a well known or well used character in the DC Universe. He acts as our narrator in the story and as he is the avenger of God it is quite an appropriate role. However (as I will discuss below) this also hurts the story.

The story many others have summarized in other reviews so I will not do so here. It is the reason I have to only give the book 4 stars. Not enough of the story is given to the new generation (the uncaring) of super heroes. I felt that too much of the story was centered around Superman and the older generation. It needs balance to be truly epic. The exploration of a the Gulag theme I found original and the crisis of conscience it caused brought welcome tension to the story's conflict. Also taking away from the story is the Spectre "telling" what happens instead of the story "showing" what happens. Yes showing would have made the story longer but this is a story that could easily be extended and still keep the reader engaged.

This Elseworlds story has recently been integrated into the main DC Universe storyline and even Superman in Kingdom Come is now a member of the current Justice Society via the events of 52 and Countdown. Give credit to the writers and editors at DC to take a good story and through careful planning integrate it years later into new story lines. I like that about today's comics. They are now planning the story and character arcs years in advance.

Overall Kingdom Come is a great book and should be a part of every serious comic readers library. I have read it twice now and still go back to it at least once a month to admire the art and re-read selected story panels.

If only I could get hold of (and afford) an original Alex Ross painting to hang in my house.

Rating:

- Best Graphic Novel Ever
Okay, I got carried away. It's technically a trade paperback.
Still, it is one of the greatest superhero stories ever told. Superman hasn't simply retired; he gave up on the world when they found Magog not guilty for straight-up murdering the Joker. The new heroes aren't just a little amoral; they battle villains AND each other, with no regard for civilian lives. Wonder Woman convinces Superman to return and create a new Justice League, Lex Luthor and other villains (along with Captain Marvel) opperate under the guise of keeping the world safe for normal humans, and Batman recruits old and new heroes who really disagree with both sides.
Most everyone makes some poor choices that culminate in an allout superhuman battle. The entire story is a reflection of Revelation, with a spiritually faltering reverend being guided through the story by the Spectre.
Every single DC fan and every curious Marvel fan should read this book.

Rating:

- Superman Rocks!!!
Want to know about what happens to Superman when he gets old? Find it in here... Nice cover, really shiny and in excellent conditions

Rating:

- Definitely master piece
This comic book is one of my favorites for all time, in this story, you can see the antinomy of superheroes, just like the harvey dent saying:You either die a hero or live long enough to see yourself become a villain. superman is like god . but batman is like buddha.

Rating:

- Wonderful Artwork
It's a great book, with and interesting story and wonderful artwork that really makes this one special to me.

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