With Kingdom Come (*****) , Mark Waid writes an epic what-if tale here that asks a number of the most nagging questions that linger about a world of superheroes. And when a misguided battle gets out of hand with catastrophic consequences, pulling Superman and his old comrades out of retirement, events are set in motion that just may end the world as we know it…. Now superhumans are mistrusted, even hated. The humans once regarded the superhumans as gods, looked to them as saviors, but that trust has evaporated long ago. Battles between so-called “heroes” rage through the streets, and collateral damage is of little concern. The next generation has, however, grown out of control. Most of his compatriots followed suit, leaving the world to the protection of the next generation. Faced with a world that condoned the actions of “heroes” he considers to be murderers, Superman retired. Unfortunately, the world has moved on from these “quaint” and “outdated” ideals. No matter what, Superman will not kill or sanction the use of deadly force. For all his physical superpowers, the most inspiring thing about the Man of Steel has always been his unflinching sense of right and wrong. They called him the Man of Tomorrow, but for Superman tomorrow has come and gone.

Mark waid alex ross