Kingdom Come

This is a must read for anyone who is a fan of superheroes.

Having grown up largely on the Marvel comics, I wasn't too familiar with the DC heroes. I read Kingdom Come (the graphic novel) and was blown away. Not only is Alex Ross's artwork amazing, but Waid's characterization brings the characters to life. But enough about the Graphic Novel, let's talk about the audiobook... Kingdom Come consists of two 90 minute audio cassettes, and although the box is beautiful, it's hardly durable. The adaptation is quite true to the original, and the narratives required by the medium are well placed and are not heavy handed at all. The book is read by a full audio cast, and they do a great job! Rich, enthusiastic readings--any one of them would be a great narrator, but having so many different and distinct voices really adds to the story. Even though I was familiar with the story, I found myself leaving the tape-deck on after I'd parked just so I could finish a scene. One of the best audiobooks I've listened to in a long time, and DEFINITELY the best of the superhero genre (not that it's flooded with audiobooks). I had a tough time finding this on tape, and I really wish it was more popular so we could encourage more of the great tales like Marvels and Watchmen to make their way to the audiobook world. Try it, you'll love it!

KINGDOM COME is a graphic novel set against the backdrop of a world in which the supers aren't all that super anymore. Superman when into self-exile years ago after the murder of his beloved Lois at the hands of the Joker. The Joker was later killed by the superhero, Magog, who leads a new band of superheroes. Magog and his crew act not only as both judge and jury, but in some cases as executioner as well; something in which Superman and his gang did everything they possibly could to stay away from. In a scene reminiscent of how WWI began, Magog and company continually become more and more aggressive in their campaign against evil doers until one day Magog wipes out almost the entire state of Kansas. After that, Wonder Woman comes knocking on Superman's door at the Fotress of Solitude and convinces him to return. He does and gathers together most of the members of the Justice League of America. The group declares an ultimatum to the new, younger superheroes (or metahumans as they are now called) that it's time the either shape up or be shipped out. A new prison is built to hold those who won't obey and soon order seems to be established upon the chaos. Meanwhile, an elderly pastor, named Norman McCay, is having a crisis of faith when he is visited by Spectre. Spectre warns McCay of a coming crisis that will destroy not only the world, but the universe. Spectre guides McCay through the events to come, but a twist of action causes McCay to not only witness what is to occur, but actually become a crucial part of it as well. Back with Superman. Previous to the all-out war that breaks loose after the metahuman prison is cracked open, Bruce Wayne and Lex Luthor make an agreement and become partners in what appears to be the formation of a New World Order. Meanwhile, Superman is busy trying to keep things under control while struggling with the growing love and passion he feels towards Wonder Woman. You know something big has to happen. KINGDOME COME is one of the most beautiful graphic comics I have seen. The story and illustrations truly go together and though one could exist without the other, neither is whole unless they are together. There are tons of allusions made to D.C. history, not too mention all the cultural, religious, and mythological references. Plus the book ends on a very promising proposition and one that deserves to be explored more thoroughly.

I used to read a lot of comic books and have only just recently started reading them again. Right away, I heard about Kingdom Come as a great graphic novel, so of course I picked it up -- and was definitely blown away. The basic story revolves around the retirement of the older generation of superheroes and the rise of a new generation that doesn't have the same moral compass. Superman has retired to a farm after he becomes disillusioned with humans' supporting the flashier but less ethical metahumans, and now Wonder Woman has come to ask him to get involved again and help tame the ne'er-do-wells. At the same time, Batman and Superman renew an old animosity, and many many superheroes make appearances, especially in the climactic battle between the good guys and the bad. The story is very good, but it's Alex Ross's artwork that is the star here. His rendering of the older superheroes is brilliant (Superman looks awesome), and the color is bright and bold. (Personally, I don't like comics that are so dark that you can barely see what's going on -- I like the mood but I want to see the details too.) The font is clean and the panel configurations are creative. I liked the introduction by Elliot Maggin, who was writing the novelization of Kingdom Come at the time, and I especially enjoyed the follow-up material: sketches of major characters; id's of 105 (!) superheroes depicted in the novel; 2 pages about the development of a sequence, with facsimiles of the script, a photo reference, rough thumbnail sketches, pencil artwork and the finished art; and original artwork created for a t-shirt, comic covers, collection cards, books and posters. Alex Ross even identified a number of his friends and relatives who inspired various character depictions.This is a gorgeous graphic novel with a very interesting premise and fun extras. I think this would appeal to young and old comic book fans, or anyone wanting to see a classic in the graphic novel format. Sweet.

Elliot S! Maggin has always been my one of my favorite writers, both in the comics arena as well as his novels. I am a great fan of his early Superman novels, Last Son of Krypton and Miracle Monday, so I looked forward to his novelization of Kingdom Come with a lot of excitement. I was not disappointed. The book not only accurately translates the graphic work, it expands and enhances it as well. When you're finished you fully expect to turn on the news and hear about Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman. While I'm at it, look for a paperback of Last Son of Krypton and Miracle Monday. The latter is the best novel of the genre that I have read.

"Kingdom Come" is a brilliant hybrid of top-notch writing from Mark Waid and unparalleled art work by Alex Ross. "Kingdom Come" is to comic books in the 1990s as "The Watchmen" and "The Dark Knight Returns" were to comics in the 1980s. The story focuses on how "old-school" heroes such as Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman handle the problem of a new, more violent breed of super-heroes. The main story of "Kingdom Come" is an ages old struggle between generations that improves on the theme in several ways, but what really makes "Kingdom Come" stand out is the intricate details and subplots that Waid and Ross weave into the story and art. The creators of "Kingdom Come" give the readers many startling and imaginative insights into what has happened to our favorite heroes after several years in the trenches. Batman, for instance, lives with a battle-ravaged body that has suffered from fight after fight with his enemies. His body is supported, now, by an exo-skeleton. Superman and Wonder Woman have a brilliant conversation in the middle of the book during which they discuss their differing ideologies concerning the use of violence to control the violent new breed of heroes. It's as well written and important as any dialogue you might find in a "normal" book. Waid and Ross even throw in a older, drunkard version of "Marvin" from the old Super Friends cartoon and a Planet Hollywood type of restaurant whose servers all dress up as super-heroes. Perhaps the greatest moment in "Kingdom Come," and maybe all of comics, is the fight between Superman and Captain Marvel (Shazam) toward the end of the story. Check out the smile on Captain Marvel's face as he is about to lay a beating on Superman and the way the text describes Superman as Superman should truly be written. Comic books have routinely taken a beating in terms of their place as "literature." "Kingdom Come" is an amazing story, well-written with brilliantly defined characters that just happens to be accompanied by unbelievable paintings. Readers who want read something different, but still want to read something with high-quality writing, should not be so quick to dismiss the comic book form and what it can contribute to the world of literature. Any reading is good reading despite what some people would have you believe. It helps you establish what you like from what you don't. "Kingdom Come" does have pictures. It also has deeper characterization than most books today, fantastic settings, and a strong thematic structure woven throughout. "Kingdom Come" gets the highest possible recommendation.