Kingdom Come 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition or Black Label Edition by Mark Waid and Alex Ross (graphic novel review).
Yes, I reviewed ‘Kingdom Come’ several years back but a ‘20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition’ also called the ‘Black Label Edition’ has to be worth a look for the extras. As the introduction by Elliot S. Maggin recounts the essential plot is the children of the Earth-2 super-heroes are schmucks. More contemptible than foolish. Magog killing the Joker in front of Superman to public approval put the finishing touches to the old-style not killing villains and the new generation and the old super-heroes retired.
Thing is, the new team are now the danger and through the help of the Spectre, Pastor Norman McCay, is able to watch Wonder Woman rally Superman and the old Justice Society back into action, with the exception of Bruce Wayne who tends to favour a villain conglomerate led by Lex Luthor and his strong arm man, Captain Marvel, who actually is his alter ego, an adult Bill Batson. Well, until he says that one word, several times.
Most of you know the story and the rest who have missed it so, any further will go spoiler. The battles are intense over several pages but nothing much in close-up and more amazed how Waid and Ross put in so many characters, even just for cameo appearances.
In his interview, Mark Waid explains that most of the ideas behind ‘Kingdom Come’ was Alex Ross and he was brought in to supply script more than ideas.
Of course, the real nugget is Alex Ross showing sketches of every character and passing comment on them.
For those who to see how a story is developed, it’s interesting to see it was Power Girl/Woman rather than Wonder Woman that prompted Superman back into action. Jiggling story elements is something that is familiar with anyone who writes a story. With my own plotting, I know I have a tendency to make the elements I introduce work so it’s looking at a different style.
With ‘Kingdom Come’, I would have thought it would have been obvious from the start that Wonder Woman had to be there but when you see how many characters that were being popped in for a cameo, it might have too big a forest to spot the trees. Nevertheless, it you want to see how a comicbook story is developed before breakdowns and plotting, you’ll realise just how much work can be involved. Alex Ross also shows how he develops each page from pencils to full colour.
If you haven’t bought ‘Kingdom Come’ before, then this is an ideal time to get a copy. It is considered as part of DC Comics ‘Elseworlds’ realities but looks like it’s gone beyond that and probably now exists as one of DC’s 52 realities and deserves a second visit.
GF Willmetts
May 2021
(pub: DC Comics, 2019. 232 page graphic novel including extras. Price: I pulled my copy for about £10.00 (UK). ISBN: 978-1-4012-9096-2)
check out website: www.dccomics.com
