Twilight of the Superheroes: Kingdom Come

The American comic book industry has generally always been a cultural barometer.  Comics of the 1940’s and 50’s epitomized post-war optimism. Those of the 60’s reflected the growing interest in science.  In the 70’s, hot button issues such as drugs and the Vietnam War were at the forefront.  In the 90’s, things were pushed to new, extreme boundaries.  Violence became a main point, not a result, of the plot of many comics.  Those who grew up idolizing the iconic period of time known as The Silver Age of Comics (regarded as taking place from 1956 to 1970) considered the 90’s to be a dark time in the comic industry, by and large.  Batman had traded in his traditional gray and blue costume for an all-black version, Superman had died and come back to life (this time, with a mullet.  No, not joking), and everyone everywhere had pouches on their costumes.  It was weird.  Many comic creators poked fun at the absurdity of just how out-of-hand things had gotten.  In my opinion, none did it better or on a more grand scale than Mark Waid and Alex Ross in Kingdom Come.

In 1996, Alex Ross formed the concept of the story (which was probably itself based on Alan Moore’s never published “Twilight of the Superheroes”, but I digress) and pitched it to DC Editors.  Writer Mark Waid was assigned to the project due to his extensive knowledge of the DC Universe.  Paired with Ross’ gorgeous gouache painted art style, Waid’s plot depicted a world 10 years into the future of the DC Universe.  Superman is in seclusion following the death of Lois Lane.  Many other heroes have either retired or died.  A second and third generation of heroes has risen in their place led by Magog, who harbors disdain for Superman.  The plot is played out to the reader through the narration of Norman McCay, an aged pastor who is led through the story by The Spectre, a supernatural being.  As Magog and his forces continue to increase the brutality with which they bring “justice” to Earth, they accidentally trigger a nuclear event when Captain Atom, a hero capable to harnessing nuclear energy, is killed.  Due to this, Superman comes out of retirement (not without some coaxing from Wonder Woman) and rebuilds the Justice League.  The first person he attempts to recruit is, naturally, Batman.  Visiting Wayne Manor, Superman finds it in a damaged and disheveled state.  Superman ventures down into The Batcave, calling out to Batman, who responds with his first line in the book, “I bow to your superior wisdom.”  Learning that Batman’s secret identity was revealed some years ago, Wayne Manor has come under attack by the likes of Bane and Two-Face (and probably many more).  Superman asks Batman, who is now nearly crippled and reliant on a powered exoskeleton, to join him to fight the “new guard” of heroes, but Batman declines, citing Superman and other super-powered individuals as being part of the problem the world faces today as well as harboring resentment toward Superman for abandoning the world ten years prior.  After Superman leaves, Batman’s network of allies (Oliver Queen AKA Green Arrow, Dinah Lance-Queen AKA Black Canary, and Ted Kord AKA Blue Beetle are revealed, hinting that Batman has a plan of his own.

 

The New Justice League

Initially comprising of Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Power Woman, The Ray, (all pictured above) and the former Robin, now going by Red Robin, the new Justice League combats the threat of the new ultra-violent heroes and villains and begin to lock them away in a specially built prison called The Gulag.  Meanwhile, it is revealed that Lex Luthor has organized the "Mankind Liberation Front".  Along with Catwoman, The Riddler, Vandal Savage, King (leader of the Royal Flush Gang), and Ibn al Xu'ffasch (the son of Bruce Wayne and Talia al Ghul), Luthor and the MLF work toward the end of all superheroes, old and new.  Luthor reveals that Batman (he literally shows up wearing a business suit, but is still referred to as “The Batman”.  It doesn’t get better than that) and his allies (who are nearly all non-powered heroes) have aligned with the MLF to stop the Justice League.  This all turns out to be a ruse to learn Luthor’s true plan which involves the brain-washing of Billy Batson AKA Captain Marvel.  Following the imprisonment of Luthor and company, Batman tips Superman off to the unstable nature of Captain Marvel.  As a riot breaks out in The Gulag, Wonder Woman leads the Justice League to stop the villains as Superman rushes into battle with Captain Marvel leading to the second most awesome splash page in the comic.

 

The Final Battle

Followed by the most awesome when Batman and his Outsiders join the fight.

 

Epic

The final battle ends with the United Nations sending three nuclear missiles to decimate the superhero population (WHICH THE AVENGERS WOULD BLATANTLY RIP OFF 15 YEARS LATER, but I digress…).  Superman is able to break the mind control of Captain Marvel which allows for Marvel to make the sacrifice of detonating the final (Batman and Wonder Woman stopped the other two) missile before it hits.  In the aftermath, the remaining heroes give up their lives of vigilantism to help the world as humans.  With Wonder Woman becoming a teacher to help educate some of the reformed heroes of the new generation, Batman and Superman come full circle with their lives, adopting the professions of their fathers as a doctor and a farmer, respectively.

  

In the epilogue of the story, which takes place one year after the final battle, Superman and Wonder Woman meet Batman at a superhero themed restaurant called “Planet Krypton”.  The Trinity discuss how their lives have been altered and, before they have the chance to reveal it, Batman deduces that Wonder Woman is expecting a child.  “Always the detective,” Wonder Woman quips and in turn surprises Batman by asking him to be the child’s godfather.  The scene ends with Superman telling Batman that “I know I trust you.  Despite our differences over the years…  I always have” and the two most powerful men in the world hugging it out.  Super Friends, indeed.

I try to give my insight on the art of a particular book when writing about it.  I’ve read Kingdom Come many times.  I’ve seen the art of Alex Ross even more.  But no amount of words I could string together would do it…  Justice.  So, I’ll simply give you a couple additional images.

Batman's former sidekick, now Red Robin

Aquaman declines joining the new Justice League

The return of Superman

I realize this is an odd choice as a topic for a Batman-based series.  He doesn't even appear until about one-fourth of the way into the book and doesn't appear in costume until about the last 20%, but Kingdom Come is a Batman story just as much as it is a Superman story or a Wonder Woman story.  While the book worked to show that a generation of heroes who were considered to be “too old” to be cool or relatable were in fact still relevant, it also tells the story of humanity and its place in the superhuman world.  When you have a pantheon of heroes in Green Lantern, the Flash, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, and indeed Superman, who is worthy enough to stand beside (and oftentimes in front of) them?  Batman, a human.

As always, thanks for reading.  See you next time!

-Josh

Sources: excerpts from primary source interviews; Wikipedia

Batman, Justice League, and related characters, and images in this blog are owned and trademarked by DC Comics, a division or Warner Bros. Entertainment, Inc.