Kingdom Come

Set in the not so distant future, the DC Universe is spinning inexorably out of control. The new generation of heroes has lost their moral compass, becoming just as reckless and violent as the villains they fight. With Batman retired, Superman in a self-imposed exile and the rest of the Justice League nowhere to be found, it seems that all hope is lost.

“One of the best comics of the modern era.”

Set in the not so distant future, the DC Universe is spinning inexorably out of control. The new generation of heroes has lost their moral compass, becoming just as reckless and violent as the villains they fight. With Batman retired, Superman in a self-imposed exile and the rest of the Justice League nowhere to be found, it seems that all hope is lost.

But not for long.

After a cataclysmic event costs the lives of millions, the Justice League—led by a rejuvenated Superman—returns to bring balance back to the world. However, the new guard will not go down quietly. A battle is coming between the uncompromising protectors and an untamed group of young powerhouses—one that will define what heroism truly is.

If you haven’t read Kingdom Come you are missing out. It’s a modern classic and you should definitely check it out. It was originally published in 1996 as an else-world mini-series and is considered by some to be one of the best superhero stories ever told.

The story is set in the future where a lot of the superheroes we know have retired. With them gone, a new generation of heroes have emerged who don’t quite hold the same standards when it comes to the business of saving people. After a terrible tragedy caused by these new heroes brings the world close to Armageddon, Superman is forced to come out of retirement. One of my favorite parts about this story is that Superman is flawed. He doesn’t always know the best way to handle every situation, and you could even say the reason for his retirement was a bit selfish.

This probably has some of the best art you will ever see in a comic. There are parts that look very realistic, especially when it’s just focused on certain people. I can’t imagine what it would be like to paint just a single page of a comic book, let alone an entire series. Mr. Ross has the ability to make his artwork have real feeling to it; you believe what the characters are going through while you’re reading this book. All in all, everything just looks really cool.

As I said before, if you’re a fan of comics but haven’t read this series, you’re really doing yourself a disservice. It tackles what it is to be a superhero and their responsibilities. And with the Armageddon overtones, it’s strangely relevant to today’s climate.