Absolute Kingdom Come (Hardcover)

~ (Author), (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Comic-book publishers have grown expert at collecting individual issues of a title as graphic novels and later re-releasing those collections with hitherto unpublished sequences, further artwork, and other "bonus" material to entice buffs to purchase the same book twice and thrice. DC Comics brings the game to a new level with the Absolute series of oversized, slipcased, hardcover volumes of landmark titles. Set 20 years into the future of the DC Universe, Kingdom Come (1996) saw old-school heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman confronting violent, irresponsible superhero newcomers who are as dangerous as the villains they oppose, while Batman led a third camp attempting to head off a disastrous superhuman war. The main attraction is Alex Ross' lush, ultrarealistic, painted artwork. Marking the story's tenth anniversary, its Absolute treatment includes excerpts from Ross' sketchbook and other artwork from trading cards, T-shirts, and other tie-in products. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Description

DC Comics Absolute Editions set the standard for the highest quality, most in-depth presentation of classic graphic novels. Each oversized volume is presented in a slipcase and includes unique additional material making each Absolute Edition a cornerstone of any serious comic collection. The latest Absolute Collection is the classic KINGDOM COME, written by Mark Waid and illustrated by Alex Ross. This riveting story set in the future pits the old guard – Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and their peers – against a new, uncompromising generation of heroes in the final war to determine the fate of the planet. Published to tie-in with the 10th Anniversary of its original publication, ABSOLUTE KINGDOM COME is packaged in a beautifully designed slipcase that features an all-new painted image by Alex Ross, annotations of the entire series, rare art, promotional images, a gallery of DC Direct Kingdom Come products, a feature on the evolution of a story page and much more.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 340 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (July 12, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401207685
• ISBN-13: 978-1401207687
• Product Dimensions: 12.8 x 8.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #44,755 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Authors, A-Z > ( W ) > Waid, Mark
  #87 in	Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Publishers > DC Comics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

55 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bad reproduction. Really probably better off with the trade paperback., October 23, 2006

By	David Moran "fordmadoxfraud" (Brooklyn) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

On the outside, this is a gorgeous volume, and it looks good on a bookshelf. However I don't recommend anyone be introduced to Kingdom Come this way. I don't know if its the enlarged pages or what, but the reproduction of Alex Ross's glorious art looks surprisingly grainy, with rather dull and degraded colors. It really looks like crap, and everyone I've shown this edition to agrees.

Kingdom Come is a great story, which is why this still gets four stars, but DC Comics get a huge middle finger for making the actual COMIC look so ugly on the page.

Buy the trade. It's about sixty bucks cheaper and looks much, much better.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AWESOME MUST BUY, August 18, 2006

By	J. Lewis (Columbus, GA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you have never read Kingdom Come then you will love this. If you have read Kingdom Come you will love this more. I have the original issues and read them twice. Then I bought the trade so I could get the extra twelve pages. Lost it, bought a new one, then found the old one. This Absolute Edition is like a DVD Special Edition with the "wide-screen" pages and tons of extra including transcripts, sketches, etc.

Originally intended to be future of the DC Universe it became an Elseworlds tale but is so driven into the DC Mythos because it reminds you of the Trinity which is Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Three completely different tactics (in any age) but the same underlying goal. Also it reminds the readers that Superman can be assumed to be a "god" but he does not believe that nor wishes it. But his "godness" is what forever will seperate him from humanity.

There is more to say but I don't want to ruin it. Save your money so you can buy the Absolute Edition.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Stunning, November 7, 2006

By	Edward A. Sampson - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When I read Kingdom Come for the first time, I had no idea what to expect. After reading it though ,I can tell you I was completely blown away. I had never seen Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman portrayed like this before. The themes in Kingdom Come are very dark and realistic. It is about the price of being a hero. When DC anounced they were releasing a special edition to commemorate the tenth anniversary, I was a bit skeptical at first. How much better could this storyline be? Let me tell you that this story line is just as compelling as the first time through. The beautiful artwork from the great Alex Ross is preserved in this over-sized edtiton along with a slipcase cover featuring new artwork from the master artist. There is so much supplementary material icluded that any hardcore fan will truly appreciate it. Kindom Come is an underrated story that derserves to stand up there with The Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns as one of the greatest comic storylines of all time. It still resonates with the themes of today's society. This is a classic that no fan should miss.