Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
reflective
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have a new appreciation for this story. It's difficult not to look at the modern day big-screen incarnations of the Justice League; brooding, angry, ready to use violence as a first resort. In many ways they feel closer to the next generation of "heroes" depicted in this book than they do to the Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman I grew up with.
I assume it was created in response to the '90s trend of grimdark takes in comics at the time, so it gives the book a real timeless feel because I'm sure in another 30 years people will look back at Zack Snyder's Justice League with nostalgic fondness for a more simpler time.
Alex Ross's artwork also adds to the classic comic feel since his art always looks like it's from another era. This is definitely the kind of story I can appreciate more now than I did fifteen years ago.
I assume it was created in response to the '90s trend of grimdark takes in comics at the time, so it gives the book a real timeless feel because I'm sure in another 30 years people will look back at Zack Snyder's Justice League with nostalgic fondness for a more simpler time.
Alex Ross's artwork also adds to the classic comic feel since his art always looks like it's from another era. This is definitely the kind of story I can appreciate more now than I did fifteen years ago.
Why are the best DC stories always the Elseworlds-type tales? The Dark Knight Returns, Red Son, Gotham By Gaslight, etc. for some reason those stories always resonate with me more than any Crisis crossover event. Probably because within the confines of a self-contained, non-continuity tale true risks can be taken. Aspects of characters that have graced lunchboxes for generations can be brought to the forefront that no corporate marketing department or editor who wanted to keep the title would allow. Here Mark Waid treads on ground that Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns had done a decade earlier, but at a far more epic scale. Heroes that have suffered losses and given up their capes and cowls in the face of a world that does not seem to care for or want them anymore. The art of Alex Ross is perfect as always. This Green Lantern design is still the coolest one I have ever seen. This 20th anniversary edition provides a plethora of behind the scenes information, easter eggs, early sketches, and more that shed more light onto this comic masterpiece.
But the idea that Bruce Wayne eats his steak well done is preposterous, in this or any multiverse.
But the idea that Bruce Wayne eats his steak well done is preposterous, in this or any multiverse.
This is a MUST read, and probably one of the greatest superheroes comic books ever.
One of the best trades I've ever read. I didn't look at every piece of bonus material (since I have the 20th anniversary version), but there's enough in it from what I've seen to be worthy of an upgrade (if you have a different edition). I will say, one complaint I have is that, because of the binding of this book, it made the genealogy chart hard to read because of the gutter loss, however the contents aren't large enough to really warrant any different kind of binding, so I'm not too upset. Just something to take note of.
I will say, I don't think that this book is as... visionary as a lot of people have made it out to be. However, this could be do to the fact that I've been exposed to a lot of the animated DC material, and they may have used the same themes that are present in this book, thus my reading of this could have been biased.
Still, I would definitely recommend this to anybody who likes comics, even if you aren't a fan of DC or have knowledge of any of their characters. As long as you know Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman, Lex Luthor, and maybe Shazam, you'll be good.
I will say, I don't think that this book is as... visionary as a lot of people have made it out to be. However, this could be do to the fact that I've been exposed to a lot of the animated DC material, and they may have used the same themes that are present in this book, thus my reading of this could have been biased.
Still, I would definitely recommend this to anybody who likes comics, even if you aren't a fan of DC or have knowledge of any of their characters. As long as you know Wonder Woman, Batman, Superman, Lex Luthor, and maybe Shazam, you'll be good.
I can see why this is well renowned. I liked the unique story aspect and the character development in ways we rarely see.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2015 Reading challenge: A graphic novel
I've realized I'm not a fan of graphic novels. I had a really hard time understanding what was happening. The artwork in the one was amazing for sure.
I've realized I'm not a fan of graphic novels. I had a really hard time understanding what was happening. The artwork in the one was amazing for sure.
I definitely feel like I'm missing a lot of back story now that I've finished Kingdom Come. I love the art. My favorite part of Kingdom Come is the ending when Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman are all eating at the Superhero Diner.
Probably the only Alex Ross artwork I can get behind, largely because the pseudo-fascist imagery of his art matches the tone of the novel.