Trade Issues: Kingdom Come

Trade issues: where Chris reads comics he should have read years ago.

Holyshit. Holy shit. HOLY SHIT.

What can I say about Kingdom Come that hasn't already been said?

This 1996 series was the winner of five Eisner and Harvey awards including Best Limited Mini-series. It was written by Mark Waid, the man that's penning the Daredevil series that I've been intensely in love with for the past year or so. It was drawn by Alex Ross, an artist who, in my mind, is tied for first place all time greatest with J.H. Williams III.  Words can't describe the art, so, here's a picture.

Aside from the  absolutely breathtaking, masterpiece art, what makes this comic so special? I give it to the way the story is told.

Set in a future, the world of Kingdom Come is filled to the brim with superhuman vigilantes. These so called heroes aren't like the heroes of yesteryear. They have no strict moral code and just fight amongst themselves for the fun of it. The line between good and evil no longer exists as the heroes consistently take human life through collateral damage. This collateral damage reaches it's nadir when an atomic explosion takes out much of Kansas. This destruction leads Superman (in a very Christlike fashion) to return and set the story in motion.

Throughout the story, there is a narration; but it's not from Batman (the best inner monologuer this side of Rorschach), Superman, Wonder Woman, or even a character we're familiar with. Enter Norman McKay, a pastor that is recently very alone in life and questioning his life and faith. Spectre approaches him and takes him on a journey that will culminate in Norman having to make a decision for Spectre in the later half of the book.

Norman acts in the place of the reader, verbalizing his thoughts for us. Like the reader, Norman lives outside of the superhero community and is a simple man. He feels fear and anger as various bits of the plot happening along with the reader; and for the most part, Norman is powerless to stop anything. Only twice is he able to step forward (only once by choice) and make an impact on the overall plot.

This story is one with a ton of difficult decisions. With thousands of rogue vigilantes, not all will follow the example of Superman, Wonder Woman, and Green Lantern. So what do be done with those that won't fall in line. And where will killing follow in this new sort of world? And, the biggest question: who would win in a Superman/Captain Marvel fight?

These questions and more are answered in this '96 masterpiece. It's all answered in some of the beautiful comic art that there's even been. <<<(period)

So do yourself a favor, gentle reader. Grab this comic and read it as soon as possible. This is the DC heroes at their best in a situation at it's absolute worst.