"Kingdom Come" Review

The tension of the world is SO thick you couldn't cut it with a knife...you'd need a chainsaw. The original superheroes have bred and the world is the playground of their offspring. What does one do when those with supernatural powers and strengths battle for their ego...for turf? Superman's been gone for ten years and Batman has withdrawn to underground. Is there hope for anyone? And what of the mortals caught in the cross-hairs of raging war? "Kingdom Come" by Mark Waid and Alex Ross isn't one of those comics that occupies your mind for a few hours. It's one of those rare gems that changes how you see everything and makes you question your own morals...your inner self.

The comic begins with a pastor, Norman McKay, talking with an elderly man (The Sandman) who is on his deathbed. Interpreting his babbling of judgment day and bombs and whatnot as pure insanity, Norman doesn't pay his pleads and words much mind. It's a decision he will come to regret. Sitting in his church, Norman meets a ghost...an angel and is forced to view the entire war of the gods...both sides...and decide who is right and who is wrong. He must decide who will have the short end of the judgment stick and carry the burden of choice. Superman is forced out of retirement and into a war with the younger generation of superheroes. They need to be controlled and educated. If not, the world is in for a bleak, if any, future.  The real problem begins with The Parasite rips Captain Atom in half. BIG MISTAKE. Didn't he know that Atoms can't be SPLIT??!! Kansas and various surrounding states are effected by the blast, left barren and void. As if Superman didn't have enough on his hands, the Mankind Liberation Front stakes claims that they are only interested in helping the world, but the motives of the crooked group are plainly clear (after all- they attempt to bust up the prison where the rowdy, rebellious, young superheroes are held). Tensions rise as the youngsters revolt and attempt to break free. The elders prepare for war. It seems that everyone is heading to the prison site to fight for their belief. Captain Marvel has been brainwashed, so I don't think he exactly counts in the numbers fighting for their beliefs...after all...his aren't his own. As he and Superman duke it out, a nuclear bomb comes whistling towards Earth while everyone around them partake in the bloodshed. What's to happen? Superman shakes the sense back into Captain Marvel and tells him that HE alone must make the decision of the world's fate (he is, after all, the only superhero who can relate to both the mortals and the gods). If he lets the bomb explode, the world goes with it. If he doesn't, the war around them doesn't stop. I can't bring myself to ruin this comic. Normally, I'd have no trouble telling you every last detail. It's not really something that I feel I could do justice to. I could type on and on, but you're not going to get even a fraction of the emotional impact or mental and visual awe this comic radiates. There's SO much more plot and subplot that I haven't mentioned. It's the equivalent of...hrm...what's a good example? I guess "Anthem" by Ayn Rand. It's the same in that it's a revolutionary, mind-changing look at the human race, and poses the question of where the power of fate-deciding should go. It's a classic. Kingdom Come will be around a hundred years from now when other comics have fallen away, insignificant. 

This will be an easy review, but hard at the same time. I can't say enough about it and what I CAN say about it can't do it justice. 

Creativity of Writing: This comic is a beautiful, unafraid look at the human (and not-so-human) moral compass. It brings forward so many questions that can't be answered in even a year of pondering. Who's right? Who's wrong? Why? Should any one person have the right to decide everyone's fate? If so...what qualifies them for the right? What would you do? HOW do you know it's the right thing for everyone? Should force ever be used? If so, when is it appropriate?? Aside from the internal conflict it caused in me (I'm still torn over the conflict of ideas between Superman and Wonder Woman), the dialogue is beautiful. Especially from the mouth of Norman. Superheroes are...well...super. The way they speak makes them seem more relate-able...more...real. I could go on and on, but let's head to the visually striking part, the...

Creativity of Art: Everything is SO beautiful. Alex Ross has taken these superheroes in their age and made them BEAUTIFUL. They look like REAL people. In some cases, there's nothing glamorous about them. They're just like the rest of us. If he really wanted to, he could have covered the gray in Superman's hair or taken the wrinkles out of Captain America's forehead. Nope. The characters are REALISTIC. But in this case, the nitty gritty of age has been made gorgeous. On top of everything looking amazing, the panels are HAND PAINTED. As an art student, I weep for you, Mr. Ross. The dedication, the patience, the long hours it must have taken...WOW. People look realistic. Emotions are surprisingly human and...emotional. Backgrounds are just as beautiful as the foregrounds without competing. Take any panel from this book. Put it in a frame and I'd be happy to display it ANYWHERE. A specific panel that really got to me was the realistic portrayal of Captain Marvel's tears as Superman holds his jaw in his fist. It's just...beautiful. My words can't do any justice to either the writing or art.  

Casual Read Rating: *** No joke, guys. I've never done this before and there's a first time for everything. This work can't be rated on a scale. It's so far above and beyond anything I've ever read. There's so much to analyze and take in. I used to read a lot. As a kid, I'd read at LEAST 100 books a summer. I'd write them all down in my notebook and ponder at the power of books. They always had a way of sucking me in and taking me to another world. I've regained that feeling with Kingdom Come. You'll definitely be entertained, but I feel that it should come with a warning: once you start, you won't be able to stop. The comic possesses you. It changes you. Think I'm joking? I dare you to read it. Tweet me your impressions! 

Until next comic, Nerdlings! XOXO Ashleigh