Preparing for Batman V Superman: A Review of the DC Comic Kingdom Come

Kingdom Come by Mark Waid and Alex Ross was released 1996. In many ways, this comic was ahead of its time in questioning “do superheroes hurt or do they save?” The ideas and themes written and questioned in this comic are something that I can imagine becoming a DC Comics movie if the upcoming Batman V Superman and Wonder Woman films are successful.

Kingdom Come focuses on Batman, Wonder Woman, Norman McCay (I will tell you more about him shortly), and of course, Superman. The story begins with premonitions from a dying man are given to Norman McCay, a priest (with no powers other then these dreams and visions). The premonitions are of an apocalypse brought on by the destruction and power created and given by superheroes.

Superman is alone and in hiding after the death of his human loved ones. But Wonder Woman seeks him out to tell him about his son, Magog. Magog was fighting another person with powers (as we expect in comic books) but that fight lead to the death of many. A crime that is against everything Superman believes. No justice was given. Magog faced no consequences. This, and Wonder Woman’s urgings cause him to seek control over the ‘metahumans’ and to force them to live according to the dream he originally had when the Justice League was created. But many of the metahumans do not share this dream. They use their power without control and use it to their own ends; not justice or peace.

The humans, including Lex Luthor and Batman, have finally had enough. They see the lack of control metahumans have, and the power that they are inflicting upon humans. Lex Luthor claims to want to give humans control over their own lives without living in fear of metahumans. Lex Luthor’s motivations are very clear but I questioned Batman’s. They become clear throughout the story. Lex, as usual seeks a way to destroy the metahumans, including all those on Superman’s “good” side and even those against it.

This journey is seen through the eyes of Norman McCay. Norman has no control over his visions, and the Spectre leads him through the visions as the apocalypse begins.

Overall, I enjoyed the read. I have not personally read many, if any, comics that question superheroes’ effect on society and humans or the government, economy and policing. And when we do it is simply fear and lack of understanding (clear example from Marvel- all of the X-Men comics). Humans fear the power and try to control it but ultimately bow down to the superhero or metahuman with admiration (example: Batman and Ironman). This comic showed the aftermath of that original bowing down. Currently, Marvel is also attempting to discuss this type of aftermath with Captain America: Winter Soldier and Agents of SHIELD. Though, Marvel’s is very different and is focused on SHIELD and not just the superheroes themselves.

I recommend this comic to anyone who is a comic book fan but is in a midst of frustration with all the storylines, reboots, and ten year movie plans. Anyone who ponders this question and ponders the outcome of superheroes almost running the planet (and in many ways, the judicial system) will enjoy the way the comic unfolds. Also, the art is beautiful.  

My favorite character throughout the comic is the priest, Norman. I was surprised by the realism of Shazam. The development of his character is a very realistic outcome of his origin story. 

Overall, this comic deserves 9 out of 10. A point was withdrawn for a lack of women and the epilogue. The most prominent woman in the comic was, of course, Wonder Woman. Power Girl was also present but, as far as I remember, did not speak. Any other women floating around on the background of the gorgeous art barely spoke, if at all. But Wonder Woman herself was a very well developed character and her character design was not overtly misogynistic. None of the female drawings jumped out at me as overly sexualized which I found to be very refreshing for a comic. The epilogue, on the other hand, slightly undid my enjoyment of Wonder Woman (as I want to be spoiler free, I will not discuss this further). As a writer, I understand the want to give closure but epilogues always seem to disappoint. Like many other disappointing epilogues, it was very much focused on the cute and happy. For me personally, it was too neat and tied with a bow. 

Feel free to disagree in the comments.

Feminist Friday: Man of Steel Both Feminist and Sexist

Spoilers Ahead! Read at your own risk! 

On June 14^th Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel was released in all its glory. Since I was late in seeing it and in writing about it, I’m going to do something different. Not only am I going to rate the top four most brave female characters, I am also going to rate the top four hottest male characters. This way my article pleases everybody, because I’m sure you are all sick of everyone raving or ranting about the women in this film. 

4. Faora-Ul (Antje Traue) and General Zod (Michael Shannon)

I like that these two ended up together on my list. First, I’ll talk about Faora. I found her to be the strongest woman of the bunch, both literally and figuratively but I did not find her to be brave. Yes, she was fearless in the face of danger, but how much danger was she truly facing? She knew she was strong; she knew she was not an easy kill for Clark or for the humans. Faora was, like all the people on Krypton, born to be who she was. Their military, as stated by General Zod, was created to do anything to protect their kind. That’s what Faora was doing, but I don’t find that to be bravery; especially in comparison to the other women. 

Now for General Zod: This dude is NOT cute. But neither were any of the men really except for Superman (but we’ll get to that later). Of the main men that you would easily remember, Zod is the worst. His haircut is what truly destroys his looks. You are from a superior race of humanlike people, and you look like that? You only bring disappointment for me and the rest of the ladies. I enjoy movies better when even the villain is a sexy man. See, Loki (Tom Hiddleston) from Joss Whedon's The Avengers as an example of what I mean.

3. Martha Kent (Diane Lane) and Colonel Nathan Hardy (Christopher Meloni)

Martha, Martha, Martha. You are a brave-ish woman. I include the “ish” because Martha never truly needed to be brave, but I could see that she was. One of my disappointments in the film is her husband (because I hate Kevin Costner) but then even Martha was disappointing. I agree with the other articles I have read that the couples in this film had clear equality in their relationships, but I would have liked to see Martha show some sort of thoughts on the choice of words her husband used with her son. So, yes, Martha was brave simply for being the mother to this baby, but she never stepped out of the comfort zone of her farm.

Colonel Hardy you are a handsome devil. Of the men, like I stated about Zod, you aren’t that great of a choice. But of the American Military men, you were the clear choice. I smiled when you were first on screen, and I almost sobbed when you gave your life. If only we could have seen your muscles. 

2. Lois Lane (Amy Adams) and Jor-El (Russell Crowe) 

Amy Adams was an ingenious choice for Lois Lane. Lois was both smart and incredibly brave. From the first scene where we were introduced to her, we knew both of those traits. She shows the men that she is not to be messed with. She also shows us throughout the movie how important her career is to her, and fear is not a good enough reason to keep her from being successful. Lois is a brave woman simply for getting involved and for being willing to be burdened with Clark’s secret. Without her strength and fearlessness, Clark wouldn’t have saved the world. 

Daddy Jor-El is way better than Daddy Jonathan not only in being a father and husband but in looks. I loved watching Daddy Jor-El use his sexy body to save his precious baby. I thought he would be out of the movie, but no, Daddy Jor-El flips his hair for us some more using his smarts and not his strength. What isn’t sexy about that? 

11.  Lara Lor-Van (Ayelet Zurer) and Clark Kent/ Kal-El (Henry Cavill)

First, let’s talk about Henry Cavill’s body, and then I’ll get to his mommy. Superman is for sure a super man. Henry Cavill has made me change my mind on men with hairy chests. Normally, that isn’t sexy to me but Henry has made it sexy. His face is handsome. The amount of muscle on his body made me want to reach out to the screen to try to touch him (And I’m not even attracted to guys who go to the gym!). Then there’s his voice; the sound of his voice was almost breathtaking. He spoke like a Superman should. His chest, his smile, his voice, his face! I am in love with Superman now, and I never would have said that before this movie. Hey, I’m ginger, maybe I can trick him into thinking I’m Lois Lane…

I’m sure anyone who reads this blog is shocked by my opinion that Kal-El’s mother is the bravest of the women. But here are my reasons that I think you will find reasonable. Lara is brave not only for literally watching death come to take her, or for putting her son a ship to a strange planet. Lara is brave for having a baby in the first place. This was the first birth in centuries, she had no idea what to expect. She gave birth to that beautiful baby without any full knowledge of how it would feel, and if it was safe. I’m sure they have records, but if no one in your life had done it, would you really know what to expect? Educational videos, diagrams, medical records, or anything they had to prepare are nothing like seeing your family members or friends go through pregnancy or hearing their stories. Then, after finding the courage to have a child in the first place, she summons the strength to give her baby up. She then loses her husband, and then her life. Lara is the bravest woman in this film. 

I hope you enjoyed both the sexist and feminist views I had on Man of Steel. Feel free to comment yours!