Kingdom Come (1997)

I don't read many comic books or graphic novels anymore. This one seemed to require some background knowledge that I clearly didn't possess. It features almost the entire DC comic universe in some capacity and involves a future world where the superheroes cannot seem to get along. Whether I'm just dense or this book was not written very clearly, I didn't exactly see the point of this book until very close to the end.

Not bad. Another overly-earnest story of a future Superman. The art's pretty good. It's a bit too worshipful of Superman - what wouldn't I give for a "The Man of Steel is an asshole" story line, does he EVER do something as human as fart? And if so, wouldn't the result be a super-fart that would destroy buildings and gas whole cities? I get the feeling that young authors who get to write Superman stories are either so intimidated or browbeaten that they act as if they're genuflecting before something holy. It gets kind of sickening.

But still, not too bad. The characters aren't abused or forced to act out of character, mostly. I'd read it again. ( )

STORYLINE: Humanity, and human achievement, are in decline. The children and grandchildren of the metahumans are destructive, unopposed Goliaths. Then the Spectre comes to a human preacher. Like Scrooge's ghosts, the two visit the retired, surrendered superheros of the Justice League. A nuclear detonation in Kansas brings Superman out of retirement, and the rest of the Justice League follow. While they bring hope to most of humanity, some, including Batman and his allies, fear they are trading one set of metahuman rulers for another. In the climax, all must decide if superman powers or human morality are more vital to survival.

ART: Done in full colours, tending towards noir, with a lot of tone and shading. Images have a detailed realism. ( )

This is one of those graphic novels that believes in its audience.
Kingdom Come is subtle. It plays with images and words and ideas.

So, here’s Superman. A hero with rock solid compassion. An idealist, who deals in trust. He believes people can do better. Operates within the law. Does not kill. It’s what he and Batman have in common. That in the end, Bruce Wayne and Clark Kent are people who don’t want anyone to die. Even the villains. Makes life harder, but in the end they are who they are. Products of a dead world. Dead parents. They are idealists.

This story asks what happens when the world decides that expediency is easier. What happens when the man of tomorrow is treated like yesterday's news.

The framing device is a preacher who has lost his faith being taken by a mysterious figure to see the great and powerful. The events that lead to horrible moments.

With an incredibly rich cast of comic heroes, it’s poignant, Biblically literate, and ultimately hopeful. And damn the artwork is beautiful. ( )

I read this two weeks ago in an afternoon. I might have actually read this years ago, except when it first came out because I spent all the money I had in 1996 on pizza and pop. Back in '96 this thing was a sensation and it seemed like it was right up there with The Return of the Dark Knight, Batman: Year One, and The Watchmen. Yeah. Yeah, right. I don't know, but in the meantime from '96 to 2012 people stopped remembering this thing and they stopped referencing it. Having actually read it I can understand why the hype was just millennial hype.

People will come for the sights, but they'll only stay if it's really worth it. The artwork's top notch, the scenes are clever, but the story is meh and that's the kicker. It begins clearly as just another adaptation of the Book of Revelation and in doing so it completely telegraphs the trajectory of its narrative to such an extent that the plot twists in the end can do nothing to resuscitate it. Also, the book had its funny moments. But, if you want to read something deep and that will last because it deals with timeless themes, Alan Moore > Mark Waid.

One thumb up, and now back to my Woody Allen film marathon.