Kingdom Come Special: Superman (Spoilers)

[WorstThingUS]

This issue surprised me because Justice and Avengers/Invaders have left a poor taste in my mouth regarding the writing skills of Alex Ross, but this wasn't bad at all. Geoff Johns has had a nice effect on him. And then there's the added pleasure of Ross penciling and inking this book himself.

In this story we learned the details of the death of KC Lois Lane and it seems The Joker actually killed her by crushing her skull when she fought him. He tells the story to E1 Lois after a Luthor funded attack on the Daily Planet that looks to him like the Joker's KC attack causes him to lose control while stopping it and punch E1 Superman across the city (I still have a problem with people having no reaction to two Supermen). He also goes to see the Reverend Norman McCay of E1 for advice. It's a nice touch that Cyclone is the catalyst for this. It finally matches up with the cover of JSA #11, when he's carrying her and she looks at him adoringly. The final reveal of the book is that Superman has not been Clark Kent since the death of Lois and swears he never will be again, even though it was seemingly her last request before she died that he not forget to be Clark.

There's also bonus materials of Alex Ross's thumbnails and uninked and uncolored pages, one of the rare times the extra dollar for a book doesn't feel like a rip off.

[Bruce Wayne Jr.]

Lois Lane has never looked better. There was some real passionate dialogue, too. Nice work, Alex.

On the other hand... I'm still kinda bothered with how they're ignoring Mark Waid's "The Kingdom". Yeah, I'm one of the two people who enjoyed it, but still...

Plus, doesn't blowing up KC Superman's earth kinda undermine the point of Kingdom Come? The heroes won because they did the right thing... right? Or is this a NEW Kingdom Come earth, born out of 52?

[SeritoNiN]

I didn;t think it was mind-blowingly good or anything but it was a nice little story with some beautiful art. I was pleased.

[Thok]

I liked this issue: it did a good job at hinting at the anger and frustration lying behind KC Superman's seemingly straight-laced veneer.

If only Cyclone was 20 years older, she'd be a good match for him.

[Mat001]

This issue surprised me because Justice and Avengers/Invaders have left a poor taste in my mouth regarding the writing skills of Alex Ross, but this wasn't bad at all. Geoff Johns has had a nice effect on him. And then there's the added pleasure of Ross penciling and inking this book himself.

In this story we learned the details of the death of KC Lois Lane and it seems The Joker actually killed her by crushing her skull when she fought him. He tells the story to E1 Lois after a Luthor funded attack on the Daily Planet that looks to him like the Joker's KC attack causes him to lose control while stopping it and punch E1 Superman across the city (I still have a problem with people having no reaction to two Supermen).

People have seen two Supermen before, much less four.


He also goes to see the Reverend Norman McCay of E1 for advice. It's a nice touch that Cyclone is the catalyst for this. It finally matches up with the cover of JSA #11, when he's carrying her and she looks at him adoringly. The final reveal of the book is that Superman has not been Clark Kent since the death of Lois and swears he never will be again, even though it was seemingly her last request before she died that he not forget to be Clark.

Not surprising given what's shown in the mini-series.


On the other hand... I'm still kinda bothered with how they're ignoring Mark Waid's "The Kingdom". Yeah, I'm one of the two people who enjoyed it, but still...

Well, it conflicted with the whole point of KC.


Plus, doesn't blowing up KC Superman's earth kinda undermine the point of Kingdom Come? The heroes won because they did the right thing... right? Or is this a NEW Kingdom Come earth, born out of 52?

No, it's Kal-El taken from before the bomb finished exploding. He thinks that his world is gone, but it isn't.

[WorstThingUS]

Lois Lane has never looked better. There was some real passionate dialogue, too. Nice work, Alex.

I'm thinking that's Veronica Lake he's using as a basis for Lois.


On the other hand... I'm still kinda bothered with how they're ignoring Mark Waid's "The Kingdom". Yeah, I'm one of the two people who enjoyed it, but still...

I think it's been pretty much retconned away. Nothing remains of it and Ross hated it, which is reason #1 for DC to disavow it. Though I thought the accompanying one-shots were pretty good.


Plus, doesn't blowing up KC Superman's earth kinda undermine the point of Kingdom Come? The heroes won because they did the right thing... right? Or is this a NEW Kingdom Come earth, born out of 52?

Actually, that's what DC initially said, that these were not the exact same worlds from the Elseworlds books, but I think that's been discarded again, for Alex Ross who is definitely using his original KC creations.



No, it's Kal-El taken from before the bomb finished exploding. He thinks that his world is gone, but it isn't.

And this is the disconnect that now needs to be explained. Why would a man who's not only gotten his world back, but seen other worlds where all his friends live with the hope of a better tomorrow, still want to fly off and tear the UN a new a**hole? It'd be a sad cliche if they wipe his memory, but it seems to be the only way this can work.

[Super Buddies Forever]

Well, I think KC Superman will eventually return to his Earth, as he only thinks it was destroyed because he was pulled out of it before he knew any better. And while they may be ignoring "The Kingdom," that doesn't mean it can't still be in continuity.

[rick]

I'm thinking that's Veronica Lake he's using as a basis for Lois.


I was thinking Gene Tierney myself.

[IvCNuB4]

Well, I think KC Superman will eventually return to his Earth, as he only thinks it was destroyed because he was pulled out of it before he knew any better. And while they may be ignoring "The Kingdom," that doesn't mean it can't still be in continuity.

Exactly. And if you caught that throw-away line, Norman McKay all but foreshadowed to him that Earth-22 didn't perish like Kal-22 thinks it did. He was pulled away from Earth-22 at the exact moment the nuke went off. It still fits in perfectly with the original story also assuming that he is returned back there at that exact same moment. In KC after the explosion, he stands up, sees all the dead heroes, freaks out, and (knowing the rest of the world is unharmed) flies off to the U.N. to start tearing them a new one. It's only after he gets there that the small group of surviving heroes appear and calm him down ....

[xnef1025]

And this is the disconnect that now needs to be explained. Why would a man who's not only gotten his world back, but seen other worlds where all his friends live with the hope of a better tomorrow, still want to fly off and tear the UN a new a**hole? It'd be a sad cliche if they wipe his memory, but it seems to be the only way this can work.

Well, a mind wipe doesn't have to happen. Say he finally finds peace on New Earth. He accepts that his world is destroyed and realizes he has a second chance. He finally has his confidence and hope for tomorrow back again. Then he's suddenly, violently returned to the aftermath of the bomb. It would seem like all the adventures and learning on this other earth were just fantasies playing out in a traumatized mind. He'd totally lose it.

[Binker]

By Nathaniel Ruff (also known as Binker, Binker2 and Nate on many forums)

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA KINGDOM COME SPECIAL: SUPERMAN

Written by Alex Ross
Art and Cover by Alex Ross
Variant Cover by Dale Eaglesham and Nathan Massengill
Edited by Michael Siglain

PLOT:
Spinning out of the "One World, Under Gog" storyline, the Kingdom Come Superman's struggle with his place in the world brings a final conflict between the Supermen of Earths 1 and 22! Feeling the weight of his own world's loss on his shoulders, the transplanted Superman searches for answers to the mystery of his life's seemingly cursed existence and encounters "old acquaintances" on the way. This is the first fully written and illustrated adventure by KINGDOM COME co-creator Alex Ross, building to the storyline's conclusion in JUSTICE OF SOCIETY OF AMERICA #22!

REVIEW:
Last time, in JSA #20, that issue made my day: the whole thing with the JSA/JSI, Starman, Power Girl, what might happen, and Alan Scott has gotten me ready for the rest of this storyline and beyond. But you know what? After I heard about these specials, I wanted to read them MORE than even the issues of the storyline from the main book. The three issue "JSA Kingdom Come Specials" each have a great concept idea, and it is a way of diving into more things related to the characters and the story at large without them slowing down the main book and main storyline. And the first one, happens to focus on one, if not THE, of this storyline's biggest stars, the Kingdom Come Superman! Compared to the other two, the first one was the one I wanted to read more (#3 will be next, and #2 would be last). Now with this special issue on the stands, complete with the cover that happens to be the final version of one of Alex Ross' old cover ideas for "The Kingdom" sequel, and happen to be written and drawn by Ross himself; let's check this baby out!

This special issue, focusing on the Kingdom Come Superman, as well as connecting in a praise matter toward a classic that is "Kingdom Come", is a wonderful issue not to be missed by Ross fans, "Kingdom Come" fans, Superman fans, or all of the above. Reading it, it made me go right back to Ross' interview on how the KC Superman would be portrayed on New Earth after being removed from his own, going as far as comparing this element to the novel turned film "The Last Temptation of Christ". I, myself, never read nor watched that, but I knew enough about it, plus I knew one of THE things about that movie that the KC Superman and Ross were pointing to. What that happens to be is what happens in the final act of the novel/film: after Jesus has been put on the cross, he talks to a young girl who appears to be an angel, and she tells him that God wants him to be happy and brings him down off from the cross. From there, Jesus has a wife and family that he had wanted for the longest time (something that the Church protested against, you know them) and everything seems fine. But, not only was the girl actually Satan in disguise, and his disciples who visit him on his deathbed in this life call him a traitor, but Jesus ends up realizing that this action only brings good to him and not everyone else. Because of that, even though it is hurtful, he accepts his fate and goes back on the cross. Thinking of that, and this issue, as well as what Alex Ross and Geoff Johns want to do with this story and the KC Superman, you can't help but think of all that and say to yourself that this is what is going to happen. Thinking of things in this issue, such as KC Superman saying that "Clark Kent is dead, and he is not coming back", and the "Kingdom Come" story as a whole, including its ending, adds more proof also. (By the way, this storyline isn't the only Superman-related story that uses that novel/movie as a type of inspiration. One of Alan Moore's classic stories, "For the Man Who Has Everything", has similar elements too).

In fact, that's one of things we see the KC Superman in from this issue. The whole point from this special on the KC Superman is his life here and now on this Earth, but the haunting memories that creep back on him from Earth-22 that go as far as beating the crap out of terrorists who set a trap at the Daily Planet, and seeing our Lois Lane; something that hurts him, and also as that set up the events of "Kingdom Come". Fans of Ross' classic book would also like to know that Norman McCay returns as well, but the person we see happens to be the Norman McCay of New Earth, who offers little but enough and similar suggestions toward our focused hero. Oh, by the way, Ross' Lois never looked so lovely.

Overall, what this issue brings to us is enough to make a wonderful read for all of us. A tribute to "Kingdom Come" is what I would say, and it does that very well. Ross' writing seems to be an improvement, as I never felt this way following that of other stuff that he had written such as "Avengers/Invaders", that I sadly left after the third issue. There isn't really that much else to say about this issue other than what I did say. It was just that good. Now, as we move from the first issue special on the Kingdom Come Superman, we head towards the second issue special on Magog. Like I said above; by ranking all three issues, the Magog one was the one I wanted to read last, following the other two of issues #1 and 3. It's not that I hated this before I read it, it was just myself being me and my pre-reading views on a comic book. That's all. Will it be good? Probably, but I just wanted to read the others than the Magog one. But that won't affect my judgment before I read the actual book. So anyway, the next is "Magog", so let's see where that takes us.

RATING: Yay

Next Issue: JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA KINGDOM COME SPECIAL: MAGOG! He was Lance Corporal David Reid of the Justice Society of America until he was killed in action and resurrected by Gog as his herald - MAGOG. But who is David Reid? Does he truly believe in Gog? And to what lengths will he go in order to find justice in this world?

[celticguy]

Was the Gog stuff in the past? if so they did a good job of dodging what happened.

[HopeLantern]

This issue surprised me because Justice and Avengers/Invaders have left a poor taste in my mouth regarding the writing skills of Alex Ross, but this wasn't bad at all. Geoff Johns has had a nice effect on him. And then there's the added pleasure of Ross penciling and inking this book himself.

In this story we learned the details of the death of KC Lois Lane and it seems The Joker actually killed her by crushing her skull when she fought him. He tells the story to E1 Lois after a Luthor funded attack on the Daily Planet that looks to him like the Joker's KC attack causes him to lose control while stopping it and punch E1 Superman across the city (I still have a problem with people having no reaction to two Supermen). He also goes to see the Reverend Norman McCay of E1 for advice. It's a nice touch that Cyclone is the catalyst for this. It finally matches up with the cover of JSA #11, when he's carrying her and she looks at him adoringly. The final reveal of the book is that Superman has not been Clark Kent since the death of Lois and swears he never will be again, even though it was seemingly her last request before she died that he not forget to be Clark.

There's also bonus materials of Alex Ross's thumbnails and uninked and uncolored pages, one of the rare times the extra dollar for a book doesn't feel like a rip off.


I'll agree... that plus Project Superpowers are all horrible. This one really surprised, though. You can really tell he cares about KC Superman as a character. Good job, Alex.

[IvCNuB4]

Was the Gog stuff in the past? if so they did a good job of dodging what happened.

The events with Gog on Earth-22 have already happened. That's one of the factors that caused Kingdom Come (Magog taking control). The events with Gog on New Earth are still happening. This one-shot happens immediately after JSA #20 ....

[pariah-1972]

Wow this was an amazing and beautiful and thoughtful issue.

I'm not sure how this works in the Kingdom Come continuity exactly but i guess it doesn't matter does it?

I like the chemistry between Cyclone and KC Supes kinda reminds me of the Wolvie and Kitty relationship.


Lois has never ever looked better.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Alex Ross' art is gorgeous, but his writing has always taken itself a bit too seriously. Often, that can lead to Super Friends Fanboy Fever Dreams like Justice, But it can also lead to Marvel Zombie Circle Jerk like Avengers/Invaders, which should have been all kinds of Awesome. but just isn't....

That said, the somber tone made sense here given it was about a Superman in really, really rough shape emotionally. He's completely lost sight of the Clark Kent identity, which is his moral anchor.

[Mat001]

Well, a mind wipe doesn't have to happen. Say he finally finds peace on New Earth. He accepts that his world is destroyed and realizes he has a second chance. He finally has his confidence and hope for tomorrow back again. Then he's suddenly, violently returned to the aftermath of the bomb. It would seem like all the adventures and learning on this other earth were just fantasies playing out in a traumatized mind. He'd totally lose it.

Bingo. Seeing the devestation of his home and the lives lost would send him off the deep end. He may be happy that an Earth exists where everyone is alive, but that doesn't change that so many lives were lost during the battle over the Gulag.

Most of the stuff in here is taken from the backstory that Ross, Waid and Maggin developed. It was Maggin who showed us the detailed version of the Joker's attack, in the novel adaptation. The only difference between this and the original flashbacks is that Kal-El's hair is short and not in a ponytail. Ross was not fond of it, but he was told that the ponytail could be used only in the flashbacks and before Kal-El returns to duty. Since Clark no longer has long hair on New Earth, Ross chose to leave it out of the flashbacks for Kal-El.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Bingo. Seeing the devestation of his home and the lives lost would send him off the deep end. He may be happy that an Earth exists where everyone is alive, but that doesn't change that so many lives were lost during the battle over the Gulag.

Most of the stuff in here is taken from the backstory that Ross, Waid and Maggin developed. It was Maggin who showed us the detailed version of the Joker's attack, in the novel adaptation. The only difference between this and the original flashbacks is that Kal-El's hair is short and not in a ponytail. Ross was not fond of it, but he was told that the ponytail could be used only in the flashbacks and before Kal-El returns to duty. Since Clark no longer has long hair on New Earth, Ross chose to leave it out of the flashbacks for Kal-El.

However there are definitely pony-tail-like-shadows in every flashback.

GHOST OF SUPER-MULLET!

oooooOOOOOOoooooooOOOOOoooo!!

[David Walton]

On the other hand... I'm still kinda bothered with how they're ignoring Mark Waid's "The Kingdom". Yeah, I'm one of the two people who enjoyed it, but still...

I must be the other one! I loved the idea of Hypertime and I fully expect that something similar will eventually emerge now that Morrison is a power player in the DCU.

[cpahl2000]

I must be the other one! I loved the idea of Hypertime and I fully expect that something similar will eventually emerge now that Morrison is a power player in the DCU.


Grant is perfect for the Hypertime concept. He´ll do excellent if he goes that way.

[Sean Walsh]

Lois Lane has never looked better. There was some real passionate dialogue, too. Nice work, Alex.

On the other hand... I'm still kinda bothered with how they're ignoring Mark Waid's "The Kingdom". Yeah, I'm one of the two people who enjoyed it, but still...

Plus, doesn't blowing up KC Superman's earth kinda undermine the point of Kingdom Come? The heroes won because they did the right thing... right? Or is this a NEW Kingdom Come earth, born out of 52?

- Lois did look great. Very Golden Ageish, but still maintained the current vibe.

- I enjoyed Kingdom too. In fact, at this point in time I prefer it very much to the actual multiverses and how they've been handled of late.

- I believe Didio, Johns and even Ross have said the Kingdom Come being used and referenced in the DCU now is not quite the same one as Waid & Ross' Elseworlds series.

[Ghost Shark]

Anyone else notice the Earth 2 Superman in the JSA portrait and the E2 Robin in his horrible half-Bat/half-Robin costume in the JSA trophy room? :biggrin:

Great art, great story, great read overall.

[Pyro]

My CS was sold out of this on Wednesday. I went back when they got some more and I was lucky enough to get the last copy. I was really surprised because they never sell out of JSA. I guess a lot of people bought it for Alex Ross.

I thought it was pretty good. I kind of hope Superman is only pulled out of time, rather than of part of an alternate story where the whole KC planet explodes. It was interesting to see Alex try to ink his work, and I liked the bonus pages at the end where he clearly showed why he is not Greg Land (not that I think anyone was claiming that he was).

[mgs]

ya know, I passed on this when i sw it, but reading these posts, I may have to give it another look. Thanks everyone! :)

[pariah-1972]

I must say i'm still a little confused how this fits in with Kingdom Come continuity can someone spell it out for me since i only read the book once and didn't care for it (tho that may have changed now):redface:

[Mat001]

I must say i'm still a little confused how this fits in with Kingdom Come continuity can someone spell it out for me since i only read the book once and didn't care for it (tho that may have changed now):redface:

Kal-El got pulled out of Earth-22 just as the bomb went off over the Gulag, killing a good chunk of the heroes.

[ClassicAdamWoodard]

ya know, I passed on this when i sw it, but reading these posts, I may have to give it another look. Thanks everyone! :)

I wouldn't advise it. I thought this issue was boring. After I started it, I actually put it down and didn't touch it again until I had absolutely nothing left to read. For as good as Alex Ross' art is, his writing is every bit as bad. His writing has the same campy feel as those old after school specials.

[pariah-1972]

I wouldn't advise it. I thought this issue was boring. After I started it, I actually put it down and didn't touch it again until I had absolutely nothing left to read. For as good as Alex Ross' art is, his writing is every bit as bad. His writing has the same campy feel as those old after school specials.To be honest i'm not a fan of Alex in either his writing or art but i really loved this story.

[pariah-1972]

Kal-El got pulled out of Earth-22 just as the bomb went off over the Gulag, killing a good chunk of the heroes.But him being sucked into to an alternative universe never happened in KC so is this some retcon?

[WorstThingUS]

But him being sucked into to an alternative universe never happened in KC so is this some retcon?

No, a recton is when something has been changed. This is more something that happened between panels that you just didn't know about. It doesn't change anything about KC.

[Gadget3440]

The final reveal of the book is that Superman has not been Clark Kent since the death of Lois and swears he never will be again, even though it was seemingly her last request before she died that he not forget to be Clark.

I think this raises the question: what is Clark to Kal? Is he just a disguise? A means to do a job? Or a means to fit in with the world around him? If it's the latter, why does he need to be something he's not to fit in? That little utterance leaves me with much to ponder.


There's also bonus materials of Alex Ross's thumbnails and uninked and uncolored pages, one of the rare times the extra dollar for a book doesn't feel like a rip off.

I really liked the bonus material too, & I foud this issue very enjoyable.

I love the pose the statue of Shazam is in. I think it's the pose he struck in Kingdom Come when we see him for the first time.

Did anyone else laugh at the look on KC's face after he punched regular Supes?

[Mat001]

I think this raises the question: what is Clark to Kal? Is he just a disguise? A means to do a job? Or a means to fit in with the world around him? If it's the latter, why does he need to be something he's not to fit in? That little utterance leaves me with much to ponder.

Actually it is a reference to what happened in the main series. Clark lost all hope and faith in humanity after Lois died and after Magog was acquitted of all charges in his role in killing the Joker. When public opinion turned away from him and to Magog, he left Metropolis and his life behind. Not just Superman, but Clark Kent. The only reminder that he is Clark Kent is that while in the Fortress, he recreated the Kent farm in the holoroom. After coming out of retirement, he is either Superman or Kal-El. It isn't until after he and the other heroes stop being costumed individuals and start working with the non-Metahumans, that he becomes Clark Kent again. It is Diana who helps him to become Clark again by bringing him a pair of glasses while he is in Kansas, trying to rebuild. In the epilogue found in the collected edition, we see him and Diana and Bruce get together. Here, he is wearing his glasses.

To Superman, Clark Kent is his means of embracing his human heritage. If he stops believing in humanity, Clark Kent is lost and all that's left is Superman and Kal-El.

[AllisterH]

You know, shouldn't KC Supes be somewhat, I don't know, "CONCERNED" that there are 2 bloody Marvels running around that aren't exactly on the sides of the angels (Mary and Black Adam)

[pariah-1972]

You know, shouldn't KC Supes be somewhat, I don't know, "CONCERNED" that there are 2 bloody Marvels running around that aren't exactly on the sides of the angels (Mary and Black Adam)And how would he know about that exactly?

[ClassicAdamWoodard]

And how would he know about that exactly?

I think that it would be common knowledge about Black Adam.

[pariah-1972]

I think that it would be common knowledge about Black Adam.For someone whos from another universe and hasn't been around a lot thats a broad assumption.


He hasn't even seen Black Adam in this universe yet so he would only have second hand knowledge from someone else or from whatever computers they have.

[Alex Smith]

I know he said he'd never been Clark again, but didn't Kingdom Come imply otherwise? It's been a while since I've read it, but I seem to recall him just going back to being Clark in Smallville and farming, and that was that. Wonder Woman had to drag him out of there, right?

[Toonimator]

No, in KC he was farming, but up in the Fortress... and not so much being "Clark" as being a simple farmer (albeit one who can fly & lift tractors with one hand). It was returning to his youth, probably therapy in a way, but besides "farming" it had very little "Clark" in it.

Back to the Special... I couldn't spot the half-Bat/half-Robin in the Trophy Room, but DID finally notice E2 Supes in the portrait. Before all that, I noticed the Spectre.

In the first image, when Lois is approaching Kal, we see the angles on several statues, all aligned... yet Spectre's turned a bit towards Kal (his head, anyway). Later we're looking at Kal & Lois' backs, and Spectre's head is in the foreground... with a telling gleam in the shadow of his hood, where an eye would be. I think there might have been one more panel where the supposed statue was a bit 'off', or maybe it's that he was finally lined up properly with the other statues. I wonder if there's anything to that, for the future of Kal in JSA, or if it's just another nod to KC with Spectre's role in carting McCay around on a grand tour of the world, observing.

EDIT: Ok, NOW I spotted the BatRobin. Duh. The collar blinded me, had me thinking it was some E2 version of Aqualad grown up (I dunno, just gave off a 'fin' vibe). Didn't notice the gloves at first (or second, or third) glance.

[Mat001]

I know he said he'd never been Clark again, but didn't Kingdom Come imply otherwise? It's been a while since I've read it, but I seem to recall him just going back to being Clark in Smallville and farming, and that was that. Wonder Woman had to drag him out of there, right?

What's happening here is before the end of KC.