Kingdom Come #4: Never Ending Battle

Kingdom Come #4

by Mark Waid, Alex Ross (Illustrator)

This mind-blowing conclusion to the acclaimed, landmark miniseries features Superman and his Justice League going head-to-head against the volatile metahumans they've sought to control. It's Super Hero against Super Hero in a brutal, shocking battle for the ages!

Genres: Comics, Comic Book, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Superman, Batman, Superheroes

Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

Mark Waid is an American comic book writer widely known for shaping modern superhero storytelling through influential runs on major characters at both DC Comics and Marvel Comics. Raised in Alabama, he developed an early fascination with comic books, particularly classic stories featuring the Legion of Super-Heroes, whose imaginative scope and sense of legacy would later inform his own writing. He first entered the comics industry during the mid 1980s as an editor and writer for the fan magazine Amazing Heroes, before publishing his first professional comic story in Action Comics. Soon afterward he joined DC Comics as an editor, contributing to numerous titles and helping shape projects across the company. After leaving editorial work to focus on writing, Waid gained widespread recognition with his long run on The Flash, where he expanded the mythology of the character and co-created the youthful speedster Impulse. His reputation grew further with the celebrated graphic novel Kingdom Come, created with artist Alex Ross, which imagined a future DC Universe shaped by generational conflict among superheroes. Over the years he has written many prominent series, including Captain America, Fantastic Four, Daredevil, and Superman: Birthright, bringing a balance of optimism, character depth, and respect for comic book history to each project. Waid has also collaborated with notable artists and writers on major ensemble titles such as Justice League and Avengers, while contributing ideas that helped clarify complex continuity within shared superhero universes. Beyond mainstream superhero work, he has supported creator owned projects and experimental publishing models, including the acclaimed series Irredeemable and Incorruptible, which explored moral ambiguity within the superhero genre. He later took on editorial leadership roles at Boom Studios, guiding creative direction while continuing to write extensively. In subsequent years he expanded his involvement in publishing and digital storytelling, helping launch online comics initiatives and advocating for new distribution methods for creators. His work has earned numerous industry awards, including Eisner and Harvey honors, reflecting both critical acclaim and enduring popularity among readers. Throughout his career Waid has remained a passionate student of comic book history, drawing on decades of storytelling tradition while continually encouraging innovation within the medium. His influence extends across generations of readers and creators, and his stories continue to shape the evolving language of superhero comics around the world today through enduring characters imaginative narratives and thoughtful reinventions of familiar myths within popular culture and modern graphic storytelling traditions.

Reviews

[Katherine (Kat) · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/5 Stars

[Vyshakh Aravindan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kingdom Come #4 – “Never Ending Battle”
The explosive finale delivers on nearly every front: a brutal, tragic war unfolds with staggering scale and heartbreaking consequences, culminating in Superman’s anguished reckoning and a fragile hope for humanity’s future. The climax is unforgettable, and the emotional payoff between Superman, Diana, and the world they tried to save is earned. Still, the nuclear resolution may feel too abrupt for some, and the clean epilogue — while welcome — might seem too tidy after such heavy buildup. But ultimately, it’s a moving end to a prophetic story.

[Emilio Arias H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

[ Tomo número 4 de 4 ]

Historia que habla de la toma de decisiones, los errores, los miedos, la humanidad.
Aunque me gusta el hecho de que el personaje del cura sea espectador de lo que sucede, las citas bíblicas no me terminan de convencer. En uno de los tantos mensajes, se nos dice que el cura (la religión) está ahí para encarrilarnos cuando estemos pasando los peores momentos.
Superman está en una posición idealista, pero se le va todo de las manos cuando se desata la batalla final (aunque pienso que antes tampoco tenía la situación totalmente controlada). Wonder Woman se la ve mucho más segura y decidida a actuar, aunque luego se va de mambo en la pelea.
Hay varias cositas que son algo inverosímiles y no tienen mucha explicación (o yo no supe entenderlas). Por ejemplo, el motivo por el cual los superhumanos (toda persona con superpoderes) se la pasan peleando entre sí constantemente (me refiero al principio de la historia). Se llega a decir: "Ya no luchan por la razón. Pelean solo por pelear, y sus únicos enemigos son ellos mismos". O sea, ¿pelean entre sí por diversión?, ¿a falta de supervillanos? ¿O acaso están aburridos y no tienen nada mejor que hacer? No sé, este detalle argumental me parece algo ridículo y de poca consistencia. Y otra cosa es la actitud de Batman: es ambigua al comienzo, y hasta diría que no se ajusta con su personalidad.
¿Y qué puedo decir del dibujo hiperrealista de Alex Ross? Encaja a la perfección con la grandilocuencia de la historia.
En resumen, son interesantes las cuestiones intrínsecamente humanas que se plantean. Cómo los dioses no suplen al ser humano, y es el hombre mismo quien tiene que tomar las riendas de su vida y su futuro.

[Rui Alves de Sousa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confesso que nunca fui fã do Super Homem, preferindo as andanças mais terrenas e palpáveis das histórias do Batman. Mas Kingdom Come é um portento sobre a oposição entre o poder e a humanidade, cuja história não interessa tanto se tivermos apenas a arte magistral. Provavelmente emolduraria muitas das pranchas para ter em casa, já que são belas obras de arte.

[Urbon Adamsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story wouldn't be possible without the fantastic illustrations of Alex Ross. It simply wouldn't be the same without him. I like the story, even though it's kinda simple but it is Alex Ross's art that pulls it off and gives it realistic feel.

The story itself is simple but very well structured. I haven't felt bored for a second.

A must read for any DC fan.

[Nuno · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art is amazing and, if I would have liked the story as much (this is a review of the four books) it would definitely get 4 stars from me. I ended up feeling that much of the story was untold and should have been developed further. Still a good book

[Devin Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm feeling a little let down by where this went compared to how it kicked off in #1. The stakes all got too abstract, some key conflicts and betrayals are glossed over, and I just think it all ends up coming across as cheaper than it was likely intended to.

To me, having practically every DC character fighting each other is not an achievement; it's just throwing a bunch of IP into a blender. And that blender isn't arrived at elegantly enough for me to be enthusiastic about it.

There's not enough talking and not enough meditating.

I don't think it's awful, but I think it's disappointing: the first issue promised something extremely human, but actual humanity is completely marginalized in this story and the metaphorical humanity (via metahumans like Clark, Diana, and company) is very underbaked, to me.

I believe Diana and Clark in exile is the strongest emotional core of this story, and it only gets a handful of scenes to shine. That and other potentially rich themes are buried underneath the rubble of superhero violence and hurried subplots.

I saw someone suggest that Kingdom Come is "Injustice, but good", but I feel totally the opposite. I've only read Year One of Injustice, but--for my money--it succeeds so much better at driving characters to the unusual positions they arrive at (as well as giving characters time to shine; it's got a lot of big DC characters in the cast but it's not--as I described it in my review of the previous issue of Kingdom Come--the cameo vomit that you see here).

I think the final few pages of this do rescue it (the framing device especially), but it all would have been so much better if the journey was stronger and less "little kid bashing action figures against each other".

Also, this series easily could have avoided questions of diet, but then the epilogue is the DC Trinity ordering non-vegetarian meals. Do I need these characters (especially Clark and Diana, who sometimes are vegetarian) to canonically be vegetarian? No. Do I think it's a clumsy note to end on to have them all order meat? Absolutely.

But also also, this ships the two characters I ship, so all good.

[Omar Gómez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kingdom Come #4: Never Ending Battle. 3.5/5

Hay bandos de los personajes como en la propuesta de The Twilight of the Superheroes de Alan Moore para DC. También la relación de Superman y Wonder Woman qué compartían la Casa principal en esa propuesta de cómic de Alan Moore.

hubiera preferido que dibujaran la trama de Twilight of the Superheroes de Alan Moore de 1987 ya que tiene una primicia más interesante.

[Andrew Ives · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with the preceding episodes, the artwork is quite wonderful. The story is a little too hectic at first, but it rounds off this four-parter nicely. I especially enjoyed the last scenes in the superhero-themed diner, with the colourful artwork. 4/5

[James B · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nope, i don't understand why this is held in high regard. Wonder Woman goes from psychotic murderer to completely normal for no reason and no consequences. It was dumb. I like Mark Waids comics but this sucked

[Shibin k · Rating 5 out of 5]

Diana: We've something to announce!
Bruce: You're pregnant

This is probably one of the best comics I've ever read.

[Brian Finch · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doesn’t quite stick the landing. Which is a shame, because the first 3 books were really strong.

[itchy · Rating 5 out of 5]

That colossal plow. Deserved a few chuckles.

A lot of thanks to Aria ・❥・Biblioaria ˚ · ..

[OinkFish Pigs · Rating 5 out of 5]

H10

[Bookworm Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ended well. Wonder woman is still the hero

[Steven Shinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

The denouement felt kinda fanfic-y and of its time, to be honest. And Bruce wanting a child named after him? Who is this?

[more · Rating 3 out of 5]

slayyy final feliz

[zuza · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Forgive yourself."

DAMN.

[Ashley Stanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I waited until reading the last "book" to give my opinion. It was absolutely astounding. To start with, the art done by Alex Ross is beautiful. It must have taken a couple of years to complete the art for all four books, it was well worth the wait. Now for the story...where do I even begin. It is all told from the perspective of a bystander being shown around by the Spectre as things unfold in the world with the metahumans. The Justice League is forced to join together as many different forces fight for power and are tearing the world apart. What they are moving towards is the apocalypse. The story really shows you who these characters are at their core and I think it was a fantastic piece of art as well as a masterfully told story. I would definitely recommend it to everyone.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this series, it was a great look on the future of super humans.

[Sean Goh · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Only you can make that choice, Billy.
Decide the world."

[Dony Grayman]

Colección Superman presenta. Edición mexicana, tomo 4 (de 4). Contenido repetido con el recopilatorio en tapa blanda en inglés, que además contiene un par de páginas extra.

[Variaciones Enrojo]

Edición argentina, número 4 de 4.

[umarul mukhtar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply The Best Graphic-novel I ever read so far..

[Max Solis · Rating 5 out of 5]

¡Épico final! Las batallas fueron increíbles, todo el guion bien organizado. Y el final, ese epílogo tan fantástico...

[Variaciones Enrojo]

Edición mexicana, tomo 4 de 4.